Marple Train Station to Rose Hill Marple Train Station
7 pubs - 4.8 km
Looking for a day out destination, a combined walk and beer trail or a thing to do at the weekend? Sitting on the edge of Derbyshire, just 30 minutes away from Manchester City Centre by train sits the town of Marple. Explore somewhere new and visit seven Robinsons pubs along the way! Bring your dog too - all the pubs have dog friendly spaces!
Let the beers begin...
We've tried and tested this route with our team - it's doable, and lots of fun! Here's the tour.
First stop – The Windsor Castle
A bit of a stretch of the legs after being on the train for a while, take a left out of the station and head down, cross the river and up the hill to the first watering hole. This pretty stone-faced pub sits looks great with its flowers in Spring time and has all the traditional character of a pub on the inside.
Second stop – The Royal Scot
It’s back down the hill from here to The Royal Scot. Sitting adjacent to the river, this pub is quite the contrast to the first stop. This pub takes a modern and bold approach to pub interiors and has a small beer garden at the front to enjoy. With two craft beers on draft alongside a range of other premium lagers and hand pulls there's a beer for everyone. Depending on the day you visit you can enjoy a pizza to share to keep your hunger at bay.
Third stop – The Navigation
Head upwards past the station, cross over the canal and take a left on the canal tow path. Walk straight down the canal until you reach The Navigation. This newly refurbished pub is warm and inviting inside with a new road-side beer garden to make use of outside too. The beer selection here includes plenty of lagers and our well-loved stout, Pitch.
Fourth stop – Ring O’ Bells
Hop back on the canal in the same direction for a few more minutes to arrive at Ring O’ Bells. (This is the closest pub to the Lime Kilns). This white-washed traditional pub also has a large beer garden overlooking the canal with some cosy corners to enjoy inside too. The Ring O' Bells has plenty of large tables outside to make sitting together as a group straight forward. You can expect Trooper on cask and Hopnik IPA.
Fifth stop – Bulls Head
Another short 5 minute stroll to the next pub in Marple town centre is the Bulls Head. This modern open plan pub is well-known for its good food as well as drinks. The pub has a large enclosed beer garden and plenty of bright space indoors too. The drinks selection is wide from hand pulls like Dizzy Blonde to fruity ciders on draught too. By this point, you'll probably be ready for some food where you won't be short of choice. From wraps, burgers and kebabs there is plenty of options to get you refreshed to continue the journey.
Sixth stop – Hatters Arms
It’s onto the homeward stretch now, first stopping off at this tiny stone pub. Blending into its surroundings you'll have to look out for it on your right hand side. It’s a small traditional pub with low ceilings and cosy tables.
Seventh stop – The Railway
Continue towards Rose Hill Marple station and you’ll find the Railway waiting for the ‘one for the road’. The pub features traditional dark mahogany and brass furniture. Head past the bar and you'll find a little wooden terrace for you to watch the sun fade away. A stones through away from the station, you can plan your route back, or nestle down for the rest of the evening there. If you're one for a selfie - these toilets are one to check out too!
The train stations sit on different railway lines, both direct to Manchester City Centre in 30 minutes (worth knowing when buying your tickets- you don't want a return!)
We’ve chosen a few pubs all within walking distance to one another for this route, but we do have plenty of other great pubs in the surrounding areas of Mellor, Millbrow, Compstall and Hawk Green. If you fancy making your own route - check out these pubs too!
Marple Bridge is the lower part of the town and is where you’ll get off the train, with pretty scenery and walks close-by. This is where our suggested route starts. The route will end at the top of the town in Marple town centre. Here you’ll find the high street and plenty of pubs, bars and retailers to wander around - and another train station, Rose Hill Marple. This is where our route ends. What's more all the pubs are good friendly on a fine day - but you'll need to sit outside at the Ring O' Bells.
If you fancy working up your thirst, there are a few historical sights you can visit in Marple too.
Have a wander along the canal and see the impressively tall Marple Aqueduct which is about 15 minutes along the canal towpath from the train station. The aqueduct crosses the River Goyt and is one of the remaining aqueducts you can cross by canal boat. Or, head in the other direction towards Marple Lime Kilns, a 10-minute walk away from Marple town centre. These Kilns were built to burn limestone that was quarried from The Peak District back in the 1700s.
