I had a fantastic day out on the Lancashire Beer and Buses trip, setting off on the feeder bus from Preston and calling at a great mix of pubs along the way. The sunshine made it even better, and the whole day had a lovely, easygoing feel. I spent it with Jenny and Kenny from Real Ale Finder, along with Mark, Paul, Jackie, Oliver and Alistair, and it was great catching up with Tony, Deb, Ian and Dawn at The Vestry. Along the route we visited a blend of historic inns and micropubs, each with its own character, friendly atmosphere and a good range of cask ales, making it a thoroughly enjoyable day exploring Lancashire.
Tag Archives: beer
24/04/26 – Clitheroe
I spent the day in Clitheroe, starting at The New Inn, a historic pub full of character, before heading to The Emporium, a converted chapel with a relaxed, multi-level layout. At Holmes Mill, the vast Beer Hall blended industrial heritage with a huge beer selection. The Horseshoe Inn felt like a proper local, while The Beer Shack offered a compact micropub experience. The Ale House stood out for its lively feel and friendly chat, and I finished at The Brown Cow, a traditional spot that rounded off a varied and memorable visit.
18/04/26 – Durham
I spent a day exploring Durham, starting at The Waiting Room on the station platform, then moving between a mix of historic pubs and newer micropubs across the city. Each place had its own character, from centuries-old buildings like Ye Old Elm Tree and The Dun Cow to more recent additions like The Holy GrAle and Fram Ferment. Along the way, I enjoyed a range of well-kept ales and friendly welcomes. Whether tucked into quiet corners, lively bars or hidden spots by the river, every stop offered something different, making it a varied and enjoyable crawl through Durham’s rich pub scene.
17/04/26 – Lost Cause Brewing Co (Wakefield)
I visited Lost Cause Brewing Co’s new Wakefield taproom opening and it felt like a significant step forward for a brewery that’s grown quickly over the past year. What began as an idea in Whitwood became reality in 2024, with a focus on modern, flavour-led beers. The new space, fully integrated with the brewery, brings a lively atmosphere with tanks and kegs all around. The beer range is varied and confident, showing real progress. Chatting with the founders made it clear how much effort has gone in. It feels busy, welcoming, and marks an exciting new chapter for Lost Cause Brewing Co.
11/04/26 – Saltaire and Shipley
I spent the day exploring Saltaire and Shipley with friends and members of Bradford CAMRA, visiting a mix of historic pubs and newer bars. Each place had its own story, from converted village buildings to modern taprooms, reflecting how the area has evolved over time. I enjoyed a wide range of beers, from hazy IPAs to traditional cask ales, while taking in the different interiors, from cosy rooms to open industrial spaces. The day was as much about the character of each venue as the drinks themselves, with a warm welcome everywhere and plenty of opportunities to settle in, chat, and enjoy the surroundings at a relaxed pace.
05/04/26 – Norwich
I travelled from Cambridge to Norwich on Easter Sunday, starting at The Coach & Horses and working my way through a brilliant mix of historic pubs and newer spots. Each place offered something different, from riverside views to brewpubs with beer made on site, and I enjoyed trying a wide range of cask ales throughout the day. A real highlight was meeting up with Lucy from Norwich & District CAMRA at The Leopard, and it was great exploring several pubs together, chatting and sharing recommendations. The day finished at The Fat Cat & Canary, rounding off a busy and thoroughly enjoyable pub crawl.
03/04/26-04/04/26 – Cambridge
I spent two days exploring Cambridge’s pubs, starting at the Kingston Arms and working my way through a wide mix of historic and characterful venues. It was great to meet CAMRA members Alistair, Will and Ingvar along the way. Each stop offered something different, from railway heritage at the Old Ticket Office to revived locals like the Royal Standard and Devonshire Arms. I also visited The Bank Micropub, a cosy former bank focused on good ale and conversation. I enjoyed a strong range of cask ales, ciders and keg beers throughout, with day two adding brewpubs, taprooms and a trip out to Northstowe.
02/04/26 – Kings Lynn and Ely
I started my day in King’s Lynn, calling into a great mix of places, from the historic Lattice House with its old beams and cosy corners, to the riverside Crown & Mitre and Marriott’s Warehouse. WhataHoot added something different with its small distillery feel, while Ferry Lane Social Club and The Live & Let Live felt friendly and familiar. I also stopped at Bank House and Wenns before heading to Ely, where 3At3 and the Drayman’s Son brought a more modern touch, and the Cutter Inn rounded things off by the river. It was a really enjoyable day with great drinks, warm welcomes, and plenty to take in.
28/03/26 – Sheffield (Neepsend and Hillsborough)
I headed over to Sheffield where I met Dave, Andy, Mike and John from CAMRA Sheffield & District, along with Niall from From Sheffield With Pubs. Dave led a pub heritage walk around Neepsend, starting at Church – Temple of Fun before passing Naomi’s Corner, Ball Street Bridge and local industrial sites. We continued through The Old Workshop, Alder and The Forest, also taking in the Ethan Lemon mural and Rutland Hall. After stopping at Heist Brew Tap and The Gardeners Rest, we passed The Victoria before heading to New Barrack Tavern, blending Sheffield’s history with a wide range of pubs and beers.
21/03/26 – Ilkley
I spent the day exploring Ilkley, starting at The Crescent and taking in its history and relaxed, welcoming feel. From there I made my way to Fuggle & Golding Tap House, then on to Bini Brew Co, where it was great to be so close to the brewing itself. Each stop offered something a little different, which kept the day interesting as I went along. The Flying Duck stood out for its cosy, traditional setting, before I continued on to Bar T’at and The Ilkley Tap, both ideal for settling in with a pint. I also stopped at Friends of Ham, which had a great atmosphere and plenty to enjoy. I then called into The Station Pub before finishing at The Ticket Office. With good beers, friendly chats and welcoming spaces throughout, it made for a full and really enjoyable day.
Micropub Adventures 