The Churnet Valley is preparing itself for one of its busiest weekends of the calendar, with the return of the popular Rail Ale Trail that includes a 6-mile beer festival! Returning for it's fifth consecutive year, the event includes 5x Pubs with bars on each of the railways 3x stations and 2x trains, all linked together by 1x railway.
A joint effort with North Staffordshire's very own TITANIC BREWERY and Cheddleton's own STAFFORDSHIRE BREWERY, the Rail Ale Trail offers over 100 real ales and 30 plus ciders served between the bars at each of our stations, on-board our trains and at the local pubs who will be joining in with this event.
The event kicks off on Friday 10th July, with the main event bar opening at Kingsley & Froghall Station from 12 noon. Also at Froghall live acoustic music will be on offer along with a BBQ. At 3.30pm a evening diesel service will commence, allowing locals to travel to and from the main bar at Froghall and enjoy an evening's entertainment before last orders at 11pm.
On Saturday 11th July a two train service will be in operation from 10.30am, with bars open onboard each train and at each of the Churnet Valley Railway's three stations at Cheddleton, Consall and Froghall. Live music will again resume at the main event bar at Froghall from 12 noon, and the BBQ will once again be in action serving a selection of burgers and hot dogs in addition to what the traditional tearooms has to offer.
Pubs of the local area will be joining in, with The Roebuck at Leek, Red Lion and Boat Inn at Cheddleton, Black Lion at Consall and The Railway Inn at Froghall adding to the varied selection available throughout the weekend.
An evening steam service will be in operation until late on Saturday evening, letting people enjoy the summer evening and move between the various bars that are available throughout the valley.
The event will then resume on Sunday 12th July, with a two train service once again available to visitors linking the bars at each station with the pubs of the surrounding areas. The main bar at Froghall will again feature live music from 12 noon, until the early evening.
Discounted tickets are available in advance online, so don't miss out! Click on one of the links below for further information.