Every Day is a Mini Beer Festival at Wetherspoon

Beer festivals are always something to look forward to. Wetherspoon traditionally holds two of them each year, giving customers the opportunity to sample an impressive collection of ales from breweries across Britain and further afield.

But here at That’s Food and Drink, we reckon there’s another way of looking at it.

Every day is effectively a mini beer festival at Wetherspoon.

Walk into almost any Wetherspoon pub and take a look along the bar. Alongside familiar favourites, you’ll usually find a changing selection of cask ales, craft beers, international lagers and, importantly, beers from breweries relatively close to the particular pub you happen to be visiting.

That local element can make visiting different Wetherspoon pubs particularly interesting for beer drinkers.

A pint you discover in Shropshire might not be waiting for you in Liverpool, Birmingham, Chester or Manchester. Conversely, visiting a Wetherspoon somewhere else in the country can introduce you to breweries and beers that you might never otherwise encounter.

It turns travelling around Britain into something of a beer exploration.

Then there are the international beers. Wetherspoon has long offered customers opportunities to try lagers, ales and other beer styles from beyond Britain alongside the traditional cask ales for which its pubs are well known.

Add the increasingly diverse craft beer scene into the equation and there can be a surprisingly large amount to explore.

Of course, the twice-yearly Wetherspoon beer festivals take things considerably further, bringing in additional beers and giving customers a particular reason to experiment. They remain highlights of the beer calendar.

However, you certainly don't have to wait for one.

There is another important ingredient in our unofficial "mini beer festival": food.

Unlike some beer festivals where finding something substantial to eat can become part of the adventure, Wetherspoon pubs have extensive food menus available for much of the day. That means you can sit down with a meal while deciding whether your next drink will be a traditional British bitter, a local cask ale, a craft beer or an international lager.

And, of course, nobody is suggesting you have to work your way through the entire bar!

Enjoying beer is about discovering something you like, drinking responsibly and appreciating the enormous variety now available to British pubgoers.

So, next time you're passing a Wetherspoon, have a look at what's actually on the pumps and in the fridges.

You might discover that you don't need to wait for the next official beer festival.

The mini beer festival is already under way.

Organising Pub Days Out by Bus, Train or Walking

There’s nothing quite like a great day out at a pub, be it a country inn serving Sunday roasts, a riverside pub pouring real ale, or a cosy town tavern full of history. 

The best bit? You don’t need a car to enjoy them. Planning pub days out by bus, train or walking makes the trip more relaxing, sociable and eco-friendly.

In this guide, we’ll show you how to organise UK pub trips without driving, including ideas for pub walks, train routes with great pubs nearby, and how to make the most of bus journeys that take you to hidden gems.

Why Plan Pub Days Out Without a Car?

No designated driver stress – Everyone can enjoy a pint or two or sip a few cocktails.

Eco-friendly – Public transport and walking lower your carbon footprint.

Less hassle – Skip parking fees and limited spaces, especially at rural pubs.

Added adventure – Walking, riding the bus or taking the train makes the journey part of the day out.

Pub Days Out by Bus

Local bus routes often connect towns, villages and countryside pubs that you might not reach by car.

Check bus timetables – Rural services can be infrequent, so plan arrival and return carefully.

Save with passes and group tickets – Seniors, students and families can travel for less.

Make a “bus-route pub crawl” – Hop off in one village for a drink, then carry on to the next stop for lunch.

Popular example: The Coastal Clipper buses in Cornwall link seaside pubs and villages, making them ideal for a summer pub trip.

Pub Days Out by Train

UK railways are perfect for exploring pubs in towns, villages and coastal spots.

Choose scenic lines – Routes like the Settle–Carlisle line or Devon’s branch lines offer great scenery with multiple pub stops.

Walk from the station – Many pubs are within 10–15 minutes’ walk, giving you a taste of the local area.

Mind the last train home – Missing it could mean an expensive taxi ride.

Try the Cotswold Line, where charming villages with excellent country pubs are just a short stroll from the platform.

Pub Walks – The Classic Day Out

Walking to a pub combines exercise, fresh air and good food.

Riverside or canal pub walks – Follow towpaths or riverside trails to a pub garden at the end.

Circular routes – Plan a loop with a pub as the halfway reward.

Group pub walks – Join local ramblers’ groups who often finish their hikes at traditional inns.

One favourite is the Thames Path, which has countless riverside pubs dotted along the route.

Top Tips for Planning Pub Day Trips

Check food serving times — many pubs stop serving mid-afternoon, or don't serve food on some days.

Book ahead if you’re a large group.

Wear walking shoes and bring a waterproof if travelling on foot.

Carry some cash — a few rural pubs still don’t take cards.

Why Support Pubs with Days Out?

Organising bus, train or walking pub trips is more than just a fun day — it helps support Britain’s pubs, especially those in rural areas. By choosing to travel without the car, you’re also cutting emissions, exploring hidden places and enjoying the journey as much as the pint at the end.

So next week instead of driving, why not plan a UK pub day out by train, bus or on foot? You’ll discover new pubs, meet new people and turn an ordinary trip into a memorable adventure.