The Salisbury to Exeter Rail Ale Trail encourages people from near and far to visit local pubs by train and has gained national recognition as a significant tourism and leisure initiative, being awarded a Certificate of Excellence at the recent Community Rail Awards in Newcastle.
The trail includes 19 pubs along the railway that links the two cities, all of them within easy reach of the stations in the towns and villages it serves. Collect 10 stamps to win a T-shirt.
Blackmore Vale Line Community Rail Partnership promoted the new trail in the 2024 line guide with the West of England line timetable, Cathedrals to Coast, with 4,000 copies produced.
The Salisbury – Exeter Rail Ale Trail has been organised by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and Blackmore Vale Community Rail Partnership working with South Western Railway. It joins a family of Rail Ale Trails for branch lines in Devon and Cornwall run by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership.
The Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and Blackmore Vale Community Rail Partnership are both non-profit bodies dedicated to making the most of the railways they work on, for the benefit of all. Working together on various initiatives to promote the route between Salisbury and Exeter. Both are partnerships between local people, local communities, local authorities and the rail industry.
Richard Burningham, Manager of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership said:
The 19-pub Salisbury-Exeter trail was launched in May 2024 with events at the Vine Inn in Honiton and the Digby Tap in Sherborne, attended by representatives from local authorities, South Western Railway, Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership and the Blackmore Vale Line Community Rail Partnership.
How It Works
Explore the scenic line between Salisbury and Exeter, stopping off at pubs along the way to enjoy locally brewed ales and top food.
The trail is self-guided. Win a T-shirt by getting 10 stamps on your printable stamp sheet.
Download Stamp Sheet
Pubs On The Trail
Explore the scenic line between Salisbury and Exeter, stopping off at pubs along the way to enjoy locally brewed ales and top food. Opening Hours may change – Check before travelling.
Sailsbury
Haunch of Venison
Probably the oldest hostelry in Salisbury and certainly the most haunted. Oak beams, flagstone floors and open fires. A CAMRA real ale pub.
- 1 Minster St, Salisbury, SP1 1TB
- 13 min walk from the station.
- 01722 411313
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Yes
Open Hours:
Mon-Thu: 11am-10.30pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-midnight
Sun: 11am-10pm
Tisbury
The Benett Arms
Positioned overlooking the village high street, a lively local pub at the heart of the community.
- High St, Tisbury, SP3 6PD
- 7 min walk from the station.
- 01747 870428
- Facebook Link
- Camra Link
- Food: No
The Boot Inn
17th Century inn that strives to maintain a traditional approach to the social scene while providing an extensive, good value bar menu.
- High St, Tisbury, SP3 6PS
- 10 min walk from the station.
- 01747 870363
- Camra Guide
- Food: Yes
Open Hours:
Mon-Tues: 5.30pm – close
Wed-Sat: 12pm-3.30pm & 5.30pm – close
Sun: 12pm-3.30pm
Gillingham
The Phoenix Inn
Grade II listed pub serving local real ales and a 10 minute walk from the station.
- The Square, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4AY
- 10 min walk from the station.
- 01747 823277
- Facebook Link
- Camra Link
- Food: No
Open Hours:
Mon-Tues: 12pm-11pm
Wed: 11am-11pm
Thu: 12pm-11pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm
Sun: 12pm-11pm
The Red Lion
A classic 16th Century Grade II listed town pub with oak beams. Serving a selection of cask ales. A short walk from the station.
- 23 High St, Gillingham, Dorset, SP8 4AA
- 13 min walk from the station.
- 01747 229177
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Yes
Open Hours:
12pm-11pm seven days a week
Shaftesbury
Bus from Gillingham Station. Daytime Only.
The Ship Inn
A Grade II listed traditional award winning CAMRA pub serving real ales, lagers & draught Guinness. Cosy & friendly.
- 24 Bleke St, Shaftesbury, SP7 8JZ
- 20-25min from Gillingham station on bus CR2 or CR2M.
- 01747 853219
- Camra Link
- Food: No
Open Hours:
12pm-11pm seven days a week
Sherborne
The Digby Tap
Traditional 17th Century pub near the station with flagstone floors and open fire serving cask ales. Past CAMRA pub of the year winner.
- Cooks Lane (off Digby Rd), Sherborne, DT9 3NS
- 4 min walk from the station
- 01935 813148
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Lunchtimes only
Open Hours:
Mon-Sat: 11am-11pm
Sun: 12pm-11pm
Crewkerne
The Globe Inn
A traditional 17th Century village inn serving real ale and close to the station.
- Middle St, Misterton, Crewkerne, TA18 8LX
- 10 min walk from the station
- 01460 72941
- Facebook Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Yes
Open Hours:
Mon: Closed
Tues: 4.30pm-8pm
Wed: 4.30pm-10pm
Thu: 4.30pm-11pm
Fri: 4pm-11pm
Sat: 3pm-11pm
Sun: 12pm-7pm
Axminster
The Ale Way - Reopened 8 August 2024
The Ale Way micropub, based right at Axminster station, stocks a continually changing line of independent real ales, fresh craft beers and delicious ciders.
- Axminister Railway Station, EX13 5PF
- Located at the station itself.
- 07488 277251
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: No
Open Hours:
Mon-Wed: Closed
Thu, Fri, Sat: 12 noon-9pm
Sun: Closed
Axminster Inn
The Axminster Inn is a friendly traditional pub, lying just off the town centre, with a real log fire for the winter months, and a lovely enclosed beer garden to enjoy in the warmer weather.
Exeter & East Devon CAMRA branch Pub of the Year 2022.
- Silver St, Axminster, EX13 5AH
- 11 min walk from the station.
- 01297 34947
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: No
Open Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11am-11pm
Sat: 11am-midnight
Sun: 12pm-11pm
The Castle Inn
Public house with restaurant, castle themed charity garden, dog friendly public bar and great selection of homemade food and ales.
- Castle Hill, Axminster, EX13 5NN
- 12 min walk from the station.
- 01297 35119
- Facebook Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Every day 12.30-9pm
Open Hours:
Mon: 12pm-midnight
Tues-Sat: 11am-midnight
Sun: 12pm-midnight
Honiton
Vine Inn
Tucked away down an alleyway off the high street, this is a cosy family-run pub with a pretty cottage garden.
- Vine Passage, Honiton, EX14 1NN
- 8 min walk from the station.
- 01404 42889
- Facebook Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Lunchtimes, Mon-Sat
Open Hours:
Mon-Fri: 10am-3pm & 6pm-11pm
Sat: 10am-11pm
Sun: 12pm-4pm & 7pm-10pm
Food at lunchtimes only, Mon-Sat (no evening food, no Sunday lunch)
Feniton
Vine Inn
This pub is right opposite the railway station and is an old fashioned, friendly, locals village pub.
- Feniton, EX14 3BT
- Right opposite the station.
- 01404 850210
- Camra Link
- Food: No
Open Hours:
Mon-Thu: Closed
Fri-Sun: 1pm-4pm & 7pm-10pm
Any changes to these hours will be posted on the pub’s CAMRA page.
Whimple
New Fountain Inn
A newly restored Free House in the heart of the East Devon countryside, a short walk from Whimple station. Prides itself on providing the warmest of welcomes.
- Church Road, Whimple, EX5 2TA
- 8 min walk from the station.
- 01404 643730
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Yes (Wed-Sun*)
Open Hours:
11am – 11pm seven days a week.
*Food served:
Wed-Fri: 12pm-2.30pm and 5.30pm-8.30pm
Sat: 12pm-2.30pm and 6pm-9pm
Sun: 12pm-6pm
Whimple
The Cranberry Farm
A Hall and Woodhouse Classic house serving Badger beers and serving delicious meals all day.
- Badger Way, Cranbrook, EX5 7FN
- 25 min walk from the station.
- 01404 823946
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Yes
Open Hours:
Mon-Fri: 11.30am-10.30pm
Sat: 11.30am-11pm
Sun: 11.30am-10.30pm
Pinhoe
Heart of Oak
A family friendly pub, seven minute walk from the station.
- 34 Main Road, Pinhoe, EX4 8HS
- 7 min walk from the station.
- 01392 467329
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Yes (12-3pm daily)
Open Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8.30am-11pm
Sat: 10am-11pm
Sun: 12pm-10.30pm
Exeter
Exeter Brewery Taproom
Taproom bar located within Exeter Brewery serving a range of ales they produce.
- Cowley Bridge Road, Exeter, EX4 4NX
- 6 min walk from the station.
- 01392 259059
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Yes
Open Hours:
Thu & Fri: from 5pm
The Mill on the Exe
Large waterside pub with fantastic position next to Blackaller Weir.
- Bonhay Road, Exeter, EX4 3AB
- 10 min walk from the station.
- 01392 214464
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Yes
Open Hours:
Mon-Sat: 8am-11pm
Sun: 8am-10.30pm
The White Hart Hotel
Old coaching inn that is one of Exeter’s best kept secrets.
- 66 South Street, Exeter, EX1 1EE
- 11 min walk from the station.
- 01392 279897
- Website Link
- Camra Link
- Food: Yes
Open Hours:
Mon-Sat: 12pm-11pm
Sun: 12pm-10.30pm