Beer lovers can explore vibrant North East coast pubs next month as the Tyneside and Northumberland branch of CAMRA launches its Summer Ale Trail.
The trail, running throughout July, will showcase 16 venues across Monkseaton, Whitley Bay, Cullercoats, Tynemouth, and North Shields, encouraging visitors to discover new pubs, sample a wide range of beers, and support the area’s thriving hospitality sector.
Participating venues range from traditional pubs and social clubs to brewery taprooms, bottle shops, and award-winning micropubs. While the focus is on real ale, several venues offering high-quality craft keg beers have also been included.
The Summer Ale Trail follows the success of similar CAMRA-led events previously held in Gateshead and aims to promote both local pubs and the diverse beer culture found along the coast.
Visitors can collect a trail map from any participating venue and receive a sticker each time they visit one of the pubs on the trail. Anyone collecting 10 different venue stickers during July will be entered into a prize draw to win a £25 bar tab at their favourite participating pub.
The trail is designed to be completed over several visits, encouraging people to explore different parts of the coastline and discover venues they may not have visited before.
“The North Tyneside coast has an incredible range of pubs and beer venues, from traditional locals and historic clubs to modern micropubs and brewery taprooms,” said trail organiser David Russell.
Sam, behind the counter at the Hazy Daze bottle shop
“The Summer Ale Trail is a great opportunity for people to discover somewhere new, try different beers, and support local businesses. Whether you’re a seasoned real ale enthusiast or simply looking for a few enjoyable days out by the coast, there’s something for everyone on the trail.”
CAMRA branch chairman Paul Hillhouse added: “Tyneside and Northumberland CAMRA have been impressed by the amount and range of pubs and clubs on the coast, and hope that people will take this summer as the perfect opportunity to visit a few of them. The weather is never guaranteed, but the range of beer available is!”
The Split Chimp, in Whitley Bay, is one of the venues on the trail. Katy, who works there, said: “There’s no better time of year to enjoy the North Tyneside coast. The Summer Ale Trail combines great pubs, great beer, and some fantastic seaside locations.
“Whether you’re a regular pub-goer or someone looking for a new place to visit, the trail offers plenty of reasons to hop on the Metro and start exploring.”
Among the participating venues are the multi-award-winning Dog and Rabbit in Whitley Bay, Platform 2 Craft Ale Bar at Tynemouth Metro Station, the historic Tynemouth Lodge Hotel, Flash House Brewery Tap Room on North Shields Fish Quay, and a host of popular micropubs across Monkseaton and Whitley Bay.
To take part, collect a trail leaflet from any participating venue during July, gather ten stickers, then photograph the completed map and email it to SummerAleTrail@cannybevvy.co.uk. Full details of participating venues, opening times, and event updates will be available through the Tyneside & Northumberland CAMRA website and social media channels.
