Last update: 27th November 2022

The local ale trails have not been updated recently due to a number of changes that were happening in 2019 followed by the global COVID-19 pandemic starting in 2020. We hope to update these once the situation stabilises. Please be aware that some information may have changed since publication - in particular we are finding that opening times and meal times can fluctuate as patronage levels dictate.

The CAMRA Durham Real Ale Trail was launched at Ye Old Elm Tree on Crossgate, on July 28th, 2011. It was created by branch members Nick Young and Bob Chapman, with the assistance of the city centre pubs. The trail was developed mainly to provide visitors to Durham City with information on where to find locally-produced real ale. Originally the trail was a single sheet and suggested a walking route of 10 pubs with descriptions and then listed the other real ale pubs within the city centre. Since August 2016 the guide has been published as an A5 booklet with descriptions of all real ale pubs and clubs within the city centre in a suggested order (although leaves the reader to decide which pubs they wish to visit).

As of December 2018 we have also created a Bishop Auckland Ale Trail covering 11 real ale pubs in and around Bishop Auckland town centre.

To download a copy of either guide, please click on the image of the relevant front cover to the right. If you spot any inaccuracies in the guides, please let us know by emailing webmaster@camradurham.org.uk and we will list any corrections on this page between updates.

Updates to the Bishop Auckland December 2018 Edition

  • The Station Hotel (7) is closed as of November 2024.
  • King's Head (8) has removed real ale
  • The Merry Monk (1) has been renamed to Sportsmans Inn and is no longer selling real ale
  • Caps Off (6) has moved premises to nearby South Church to its brewery site where there is a tap room.
  • The Grand (10) no longer sells real ale
  • The Smokehouse on Railway Street is a new establishment selling real ale

Updates to the Durham November 2022 Edition

  • Water House (8) is no longer a Wetherspoons pub having been sold to Amber Taverns, reopening in June 2023. Cask ale is available.. It no longer serves food nor gives any form of CAMRA discount.
  • Fighting Cocks (11) no longer sells real ale
  • Angel Inn on Crossgate now serves cask ale. You will find it opposite Ye Old Elm Tree (6)
  • Library (18) no longer serves real ale
  • Half Moon (19) now offers a discount on cask beer to card carrying CAMRA member

Regional Ale Trails

Other Regional branches also publish real ale trails and lists covering pubs within their areas. These can be found using the following links: