Harrogate and Ripon Campaign for Real Ale
That's it for another year!
Thank you to everyone who participated in the Ale Trail this year. We hope you enjoyed discovering all the great bars and beers on the trail.
Don't forget to detach and hand in your completed sticker sheets (minimum 15 stickers) at one of the core pubs (Harrogate Tap, Blind Jack's or Portly Pig) by Sunday 6th September. You'll be entered into the prize draw, where we have great prizes on offer (see prize list below). If you visited all 30 bars, you'll get a free digital certificate too!
The prize draw takes place at the Harrogate Tap on Sunday 13th September at 11am approx. The draw is open to the public. We'll notify all the winners in the week following the draw, and post a full list on this page.
You can still view all the venue details below or download a copy of the trail.
View Ale Trail terms and conditions here
Download Ale Trail Passport
The Ale Trail 2026 is supported by
NEW FOR 2026
'Trail-Blazer' was a brand new beer brewed specially for the Ale Trail by our friends at Rooster's and Daleside.
We hope you managed to seek it out.
BAR LOCATIONS
To plan your trail, view the list of 30 participating venues below. There are links to interactive maps so you can plan your routes. Ripon and Knaresborough could each be completed in a day, whereas Harrogate may require several visits.
VENUES
RIPON
From one-eyed rats to pigs and unicorns, this cathedral city has a variety of real ale watering holes.
HARROGATE
KNARESBOROUGH
This small market town boasts a diverse selection of great real ale pubs.
The spa town with an array of victorian inns, modern bars and micropubs.
1 BILTON CLUB
Skipton Road, Bilton HG1 4LL
Social club welcoming non-members and members alike. Beers split over two bars.
4 changing ales.
Full details and map here
2 COLD BATH BREWING Co.
46 King's Road HG1 5JW
Houses a brewery at the rear of the bar on a mezzanine floor. Features a covered terrace.
3 changing ales.
Full details and map here
3 DEVONSHIRE TAP HOUSE
10 Devonshire Place HG1 4AA
In High Harrogate this old pub retains its original semi-circular counter with stained glass canopy.
2 regular and 4 changing ales.
Full details and map here
4 HALES BAR
1-3 Crescent Road HG1 2RS
One of Harrogate's oldest pubs with a nationally important historic interior with gas lighting.
4 changing ales.
Full details and map here
5 HARROGATE BREWING Co.
6 Royal Parade HG1 2SZ
Harrogate Brewing have acquired this pub, formerly The Old Bell, to showcase their beers.
6 changing ales.
Full details and map here
6 HARROGATE TAP
Station Parade HG1 1TE
An impressive transformation of a neglected railway building into a fine pub. Snacks available.
12 changing ales.
Full details and map here
7 HUSK BEER EMPORIUM
Station Square HG1 1TB
Bar & bottle shop serving an interesting selection of real ales from smaller breweries and micros.
2 changing ales | Closed Monday
Full details and map here
8 THE LITTLE ALE HOUSE
7 Cheltenham Crescent HG1 1DH
Award winning micropub, comprising two rooms, and a downstairs cellar room.
5 changing ales.
Full details and map here
9 MAJOR TOM'S SOCIAL
The Ginnel HG1 2RB
Described as a 'youth club for grown ups' this cafe bar is housed in a former antiques emporium.
4 changing ales.
Full details and map here
10 THE MUCKY DUCK
17 Devonshire Place HG1 4AA
This modern pub stands on the site of an 18th Century coaching inn. Food served all day.
3 regular and 1 changing ale.
Full details and map here
11 THE OATLANDS
1 Coronation Grove HG2 8BY
Popular social club, voted our 'Club of the Year' in 2023, 2024 and 2025.
3 regular ales.
Full details and map here
12 OFFICE ALE HOUSE BILTON
53 Skipton Road, Bilton HG1 4LF
Street corner micropub opened February 2025 in a former shop unit. Serves local ales.
4 changing ales | Closed Monday
Full details and map here
13 OFFICE ALE HOUSE STARBECK
67B High Street, Starbeck HG2 7LH
Office themed micropub opened 2023 close to Starbeck station. Serves local ales.
4 changing ales | Closed Monday
Full details and map here
14 ROOSTER'S TAPROOM
Unit H5 Fifth Avenue, Hornbeam Park HG2 8QT
Taproom with views into the brewery, complete with a street food kitchen and large beer garden.
8 changing ales | Closed Monday
Full details and map here
15 STARLING
47 Oxford Street HG1 1PW
Popular cafe bar. Multi roomed, one of which was originally a milking barn dating from 1814.
3 regular and 4 changing ales.
Full details and map here
16 TAP ON TOWER STREET
31 Tower Street HG1 1HS
Three roomed pub, one of which has a selection of over 300 board games.
4 regular and 4 changing ales.
Full details and map here
17 THE WINTER GARDENS
4 Royal Baths HG1 2WH
Tasteful Wetherspoon conversion of the main hall of the vast Victorian Royal Baths complex.
6 regular and 5 changing ales.
Full details and map here
18 THE BLACK BULL
6 Old Market Place HG4 1EQ
Greene King two roomed pub serving mostly Yorkshire ales. Number of sports screens.
4 changing ales.
Full details and map here
19 ONE EYED RAT
51 Allhallowgate HG4 1LQ
This Grade II listed pub has been a real ale destination in Ripon over many decades.
3 regular and 3 changing ales.
Full details and map here
20 THE PORTLY PIG
58 Kirkgate HG4 1PA
Award winning multi-roomed bar and bottle shop serving 3 cask ales mainly from smaller breweries.
3 changing ales | Closed Monday/Tuesday
Full details and map here
21 THE ROYAL OAK
36 Kirkgate HG4 1PB
This 18th century coaching inn is Timothy Taylor's most northerly tied house.
3 regular and 2 changing ales.
Full details and map here
22 THE UNICORN HOTEL
Market Place East HG4 1BP
Grade II listed, 18th century former coaching inn tastefully renovated by Wetherspoon.
4 regular and 4 changing ales.
Full details and map here
23 THE WATER RAT
24 Bondgate Green HG4 1QW
Riverside pub with views of the cathedral and river Skell from its windows and terrace.
2 regular and 2 changing ales | Closed Monday
Full details and map here
24 BLIND JACK'S
19 Market Place HG5 8AL
Popular, multi-award winning pub listed in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide every year since 1993.
2 regular and 4 changing ales.
Full details and map here
25 CROSS KEYS
17 Cheapside HG5 8AX
Traditional Ossett Brewery pub welcoming locals and visitors alike. A former Tetley's house.
4 regular and 2 changing ales.
Full details and map here
26 THE CROWN INN
71-75 High Street HG5 0HB
Renovated and extended by Wetherspoon. The decor is modern with a hint of art deco.
3 regular and 3 changing ales
Full details and map here
27 THE HALF MOON
1 Abbey Road HG5 8HY
Popular freehouse by the River Nidd, with cosy atmosphere. Dogs allowed outside.
1 regular and 3 changing ales
Full details and map here
28 THE MITRE
4 Station Road HG5 9AA
Brew York pub, opposite Knaresborough's Grade II listed railway station.
4 regular and 2 changing ales.
Full details and map here
29 SIX POOR FOLK
25 Castlegate HG5 8AR
Quirky independent bar housed in a 15th Century former almshouse close to the market square.
1 regular and 3 changing ales
Full details and map here
30 TRACK & SLEEPER
Platform2, Knaresborough Station HG5 9AA
Award winning renovation of an old railway building.
4 changing ales | Closed Monday
Full details and map here
Ale Trail Route Ideas
We've suggested a number of mini crawls below. Each can be easily completed in half a day to a day. Before you travel, check out opening times and locations for the individual venues here.
All the bars listed are within walking distance of a bus stop and/or train station.
For more information on public transport view
PRIZE DRAW
Listed below are the prizes available.
We thank each venue/brewery for contributing a prize.
£50 bar tab
Blind Jack's
Harrogate Tap
The Portly Pig
Gallon of real ale
The Black Bull
The Cross Keys
The Oatlands
£40 bar tab
The Little Ale House
Major Tom's Social
£30 bar tab
Bilton Club
The Devonshire Tap House
The Royal Oak
Six Poor Folk
Starling
The Tap on Tower Street
The Unicorn Hotel
£25 bar tab
Harrogate Brewing Co - Royal Parade
The Winter Gardens
£20 bar tab
Cold Bath Brewing Co
The Crown Inn
Hales Bar
The Half Moon
Husk Beer Emporium & Bar
The Mitre
The Mucky Duck
Office Ale House Bilton
Office Ale House Starbeck
One Eyed Rat
Track & Sleeper
The Water Rat
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