FOLLOW THE CUMBRIANS ON THE ROAD

This section is designed to suggest some real ale pubs near the grounds Carlisle United will visit this season. Most of these pubs will be in CAMRA's Good Beer Guide, so I hope you enjoy the real ale/ciders on offer. If you come across any other pubs, especially away friendly pubs, please let us know at ku.gro.armac.yawlos@tcatnoc .All are within 15 minutes walk of the ground unless stated.

BARROW, Holker Street Stadium, Barrow-in-Furness LA14 5UQ Next Fixture

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BOLTON WANDERERS, Burnden Way, Lostock, Bolton BL6 6JW Next Fixture

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BRADFORD CITY Northern Commercials Stadium, Valley Parade, Bradford BD8 7DY Next Fixture

Record Cafe Bradford , 45-47 North Parade, Bradford BD1 3JH is the current Bradord CAMRA pub of the year (2019) and is well worth a visit. Sadly the PENNY BANK (formerly the CITY GENT) appears to be closed (as at June 2019). If it re-opens it is well worth a visit as you pass it on the way to the ground if only to look at its architecture and ceiling. .

CAMBRIDGE UNITED Newmarket Road, Cambridge, CB5 8LN Next Fixture

Kingston Arms 33 Kingston Street, Cambridge, CB1 2NU

10 hand pumps – need I say more? It’s close to the station which means either a 30 minute walk or taxi to the ground. It describes itself as having ‘a combination of traditional pub, award winning ales and first rate cooking’.

Nearer the ground The Wrestlers 337 Newmarket Road, Cambridge CB5 8JE a Wells pub with Thai food may be worth a look.

CHELTENHAM TOWN Whaddon Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 5NA Next Fixture

Kemble Brewery Inn 27 Fairview Street, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 2JF Relatively close to the ground (five minutes or so), but in the back streets between Whaddon Road and the town centre, and hard to locate through paths and twisting streets. Small single room pub with open fire that specialises in more obscure real ales - up to six on at any one time.

COLCHESTER UNITED United Way, Colchester, CO4 5HE Next Fixture 2 March 2021

There are very few pubs in the vicinity of this out of town ground. The best bet is to find a town centre hostelry and take one of the football special buses to the ground.

The Bricklayers 27 Bergholt Road, Colchester CO4 5AA

This is a friendly, family run, Adnams pub serving a wide selection of guest ales from all over the UK. The pub is close to the railway station and convenient for the shuttle buses to the ground. Children are allowed in if accompanied by a well behaved adult. The only slight downside is that food is not served on a Saturday.

CRAWLEY TOWN Winfield Way, Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 9RX Next Fixture

The White Hart High Street, Crawley, West Sussex RH10 1BQ. Owned by the excellent Harveys brewery of Lewes, it is located in the centre of Crawley. The pub has quite a history dating from the 18th century. Food is available and children are welcome.

The Brewery Shades 85 High Street, Crawley RH10 1BA is close to the White Hart with 10 handpumps dispensing a wide range of local and national ales. Both pubs are all about 25 minutes walk from the ground.

EXETER CITY Stadium Way, Exeter, EX4 6PX Next Fixture

Centre Spot Bar at St James Park serves up to four real ales on matchdays.

St Annes Well 31 Well Street, Exeter, EX4 6QL is a warm and welcoming community pub situated close to the football ground, both home and away fans are welcome on match days. Up to five real ales are usually available, and good-quality food is served all day.

In central Exeter there are three Good Beer Guide pubs all about 25 minutes walk from the ground. These are The Fat Pig , John Street, Georges Meeting House South Street and Hour Glass Inn on Melbourne Street, Exeter

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FOREST GREEN ROVERS, The New Lawn, Another Way, Nailsworth, GL6 0FG Next Fixture

The Village Inn The Cross, Fountain Street, Nailsworth, STROUD, GL6 0HH

This is a brew pub serving a range of Keep Brewery ales, as well as some local and not so local guest ales, along with a selection of lagers and ciders. The pub is situated a good 20 minute walk from the ground. Please note no food is served here. For food try The Britannia on Newmarket Road or cafes close by.

There are no real ale pubs nearer to the edge of town ground or Good Beer Guide pubs the nearest been the in Stroud where the The Crown & Sceptreand The Prince Albert can be located.

GRIMSBY Blundell Park, Cleethorpes, DN35 7PY Next Fixture

As all football fans know Blundell Park is situated in Cleethorpes and it is south in the direction of the town/ beech that the best pubs are found. Two of them are found at the train station namely No 1 Pub at the station itself and No 2 Refreshment Room,on Station Approach. If food is required the nearby Coliseum a Wetherspoon's pub on the High Street is worth a visit to check out the interesting way it has been converted.

HARROGATE TOWN, Harrogate Next Fixture

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LEYTON ORIENT Brisbane Rd, Leyton, London E10 5NF Next Fixture 1 May 2021

Look no further than the Leyton Orient Supporters Club, Breyer Group Stadium,Oliver Road Leyton. This is reputed to be the best supporters club bar selling real ale. Take your CAMRA membership card with you .

Leyton Technical, 2658 High Road, E10 5QN is also close to the ground and also very busy on match days is well worth a visit.

MANSFIELD TOWN Quarry Lane, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, NG18 5DA Next Fixture

Bold Forester Botany Avenue, Sutton Road, Mansfield, NG18 5NF A family friendly, large pub in traditional style about 10 minutes walk from the ground. It has a constantly changing selection of six to eight beers plus ciders. One of the 'Hungry Horse' chain so a wide selection of food available.

Railway Inn 9 Station Street, Mansfield NG18 1EF

I prefer this town boozer, with good home made food and a range of real ales the Railway Inn is situated between the ground and town centre and close to the train station. Good banter is guaranteed with the local fans who frequent this gem of a pub.

MORECAMBE, the Globe Stadium, Christie Way, Westgate, Morecambe, LA4 4TB Next Fixture

The William Mitchell, Morecambe, Glentworth Road West, Westgate, Morecambe, LA4 4SZ is about 10 minutes walk from the Globe Stadium is a family friendly pub that does food and has a limited range of cask ales.

If you have more time to spare a 30 minute walk to the front brings a choice of Good Beer Guide pubs including Eric Bartholomew , 10 Euston Road LA4 5DD, King's Arms, Morecambe, Marine Road Central LA4 4BJ and The Morecambe, 25 Lord Street LA4 5HX.

My favourite however is The Palatine The Crescent, Morecambe, LA4 5BZ This is a cosy two storied Edwardian terrace pub with good food and 4 real ales usually including Lancashire brews.

NEWPORT COUNTY Rodney Road, Newport, South Wales, NP19 0UU Next Fixture

Pig & Wig 22 – 24 Stow Hill, Newport, NP20 1JD

Handily located on the way to the ground from the station. As well as selling Draught Bass it features Welsh breweries in its other handpumps. A large single roomed pub that also serves food.

The High Street has three Good Beer Guide pubs, McCanns Rock'n'ale bar, Olde Murenger House and Tiny Rebel providing a good variety of pub types and all worthy of a visit.

OLDHAM ATHLETIC Boundary Park, Oldham OL1 2PA Next Fixture

There are few real ale pubs in reasonable walking distance of Boundary Park. The pick of those is probably Carters Arms, Royton on the Oldham Road.

I suggest heading into the town centre around a mile from the ground to visit the Ashton Arms Oldham in Clegg Street Oldham OL1 1PL which usually has a good range of local ales on offer. As it only offers sandwiches at weekends if looking for something more substantial then the nearby Wetherspoons is Up Steps Inn Oldham to be found at 17 High Street Oldham OL1 3AJ.

PORT VALE Vale Park, Hamil Rd, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 1AW Next Fixture

There are a large number of good real ale pubs to be found in Burslem about 10 minutes from the ground. My favourites are the Bull's Head and the Duke William but good ales can be found in the nearby Leopard, Post Office Vaults and Johny's Micro Pub

Bull's Head, 14 St John's Square, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3AJ This is Titanic's Brewery Tap and flagship pub. Situated in the centre of Burslem the pub welcomes all football fans, both home and away. The range of ten excellent real ales is complemented by a selection of up to ten real ciders.

The Duke William, 2 St. John's Square, Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent ST6 3AJ This imposing pub has undergone a sympathetic restoration with most of the original features still in place, including the horse-shoe shaped bar and its heated foot rail, bell pushes in the lounge, serving hatch and leaded windows. Eight hand pumps dispense a range of beers.

SALFORD CITY The Peninsula Stadium, Moor Lane, Salford, Greater Manchester M7 3PZ Next Fixture

The nearest real ale pub and where I shall be heading is The Star 2 Back Hope Street Higher Broughton M7 2FR around a mile (20 minutes walk) from the ground. This was the UK's first urban pub cooperative to be owned and run by its customers and is now a brew pub.

The nearest Good Beer Guide Pub the Duke of Yorkis to be found at 97 Marlborough Road, Hightown inHigher Broughton M7 4SP around a 30 minute walk from the ground. This is a large Victorian pub serving Holt beers.

SCUNTHORPE UNITED Glandford Park, Jack Brownsword Way, Scunthorpe DN15 8TD Last Fixture

There are few good real ale pubs near this out of town ground. The Berkeley Hotel, Doncaster Road DN15 7DS is an architecturally interesting Sam Smiths pub about 15 minutes from the ground and gets extremely busy on match days. On my visits I have generally visited the Honest Lawyer, 70 Oswald Road DN15 7PG or theBlue Bell , 1 Oswald Road DN15 7PU in the town centre then undertaken the 30 minute walk to the ground.

SOUTHEND UNITED, Roots Hall Stadium, Victoria Avenue, Southend SS2 6NQ Next Fixture

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STEVENAGE Broadhall Way, Stevenage, Hertfordshire, SG2 8RH Next Fixture

Our Mutual Friend , Broadwater Crescent, Stevenage, SG2 8EHIis the nearest real ale pub to the ground. Sadly it no longer serves a range of local ales or hot food and gets very busy on match days.

If food is required Chequers 164 High Street, Stevenage SG1 3LL a 30 minute walk from the ground in the town could be considered. A Greene King pub with a good range of guest ales. Alternatively there is the Standard Bearer The Plaza, Danestrete, SG1 1PF a Wetherspoons pub in the town centre and on the route from the railway station to the ground.

TRANMERE ROVERS Prenton Park, Prenton Road West, Birkenhead CH42 9PY Next Fixture

The Oxton Bar and Kitchen, in Oxton village (2 Claughton Firs CH43 5TQ) , is the only GBG pub in walking distance of Prenton Park (about 20 minutes) With beers from local breweries and a range of food from sandwiches to full meals it may be worth hunting out. Across the road a new micropub the Homebrew Tap, may be open.

In the past I have usually gone to the Swan,Oxton on the Woodchurch Road (A522) for a pint and meal before moving closer to the ground.

WALSALLBescot Stadium, Bescot Cres, Walsall WS1 4SA Next Fixture

Finding a good real ale pub within walking distance of this edge of town ground is not possible. It is my understanding that the Saddlers Club next to the ground has closed leaving a good 30 minute walk to the town centre where the nearest real ale pubs are situated. .

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INFORMATION FROM PREVIOUS SEASONS

BARNSLEY Oakwell Stadium, Grove Street, Barnsley S71 1ET. Next Fixture

The ground is conveniently situated close to the town centre and three good beer guide pubs. Old No. 7 , 7 Market Hill S70 2PX offers a full selection of up to 8 Acorn Brewery Ales. The Jolly Tap Real Ale Cafe (formerly Arcade Alehouse)31 The Arcade BarnsleyS70 2QP was Barnsley's first micropub owned by Two Roses Brew Co. If food is required then a visit to the Silkstone Inn 64 Market Street might be the option to choose. .

CREWE Gresty Road Crewe CW2 6EB Next Fixture

There are no good real ale pubs close to the ground that I know so it is necessary to walk a bit further to find quality pubs.

The Borough Arms 33 Earle Street, CW1 2BG

Situated on Earle Street Railway bridge within sight of Crewe Municipal Square about 20 minutes walk from Gresty Road. This pub has 10 handpumps serving a wide range of real ales. This is the location of the Borough Arms Brewery.

Hops Prince Albert Street, Crewe CW12DF

For something different try this Belgian style Café-bar, free from brewery tie. Real Ales from local and interesting micro and regional brewers are dispensed from 6 handpumps. Near the town centre Hops is around 20 minutes walk from Gresty Road.

LINCOLN CITY Scincil Bank Stadium, Lincoln LN5 8LD Next Fixture

The Golden Eagle Lincoln 21 High Street, Lincoln LN5 8BD is my choice for Lincoln. It serves a wide range of real ales in this interesting old coaching inn. If travelling by train food can be obtained from a number of outlets on the High Street on the way to the ground including The Ritz, Lincoln a former cinema converted into a Wetherspoon's pub serving a good range of ales.

If time permits a visit to the city centre, a 30 minute walk from the ground, is a must with a range of excellent hostelries including The Cardinals Hat nearer the centre along the High Street, The Morning Star near the Cathedral and The Strugglers Inn under the city walls.

MACCLESFIELD Moss Rose Ground, London Road, Macclesfield, SK11 7SP Next Fixture

The Golden Lion, Macclesfield 98 Moss Lane, Macclesfield SK11 7XH is the only real ale pub within a few minutes of the ground. As it does not serve food and serves only bland national brewery cask ales more discerning drinkers may wish to head for the town centre.

My recommendation is Waters Green Tavern Macclesfield 96 Waters Green, Macclesfield, SK11 6LH. Situated close to both the railway and bus stations it serves good pub grub and a range of interesting real ales. Other good beer guide pubs to be found in the town centre are Park Tavern Macclesfield, Redwillow Macclesfield and Treacle Tap Macclesfield.

MK DONS Stadium Way West, Milton Keynes MK1 1ST Next Fixture

There are few real ale pubs in walking distance of the ground. The Inn on the Lake is reserved for home supporters. I would suggest looking further afield to Fenny Stratford. The Red Lion 11 Lock View Lane, Simpson Road Fenny Stratford MK1 1BY would be my choice. It is about 25 minutes walk from the ground. Another pub in Fenny Stratford is Chequers on Watling Street where food is served along with a good selection of real ales.

NORTHAMPTON TOWN Sixfields Stadium, Upton Way, Northampton NN5 5QA Next Fixture

There are no Good Beer Guide Pubs near to this out of town ground. A short walk from the ground there are three Greene King pubs serving food as well as real ale The Sixfields, Sevens and Walter Tull.

To find quality pubs involves a long 30 minute plus walk into the town centre. Worth seeking out are the Albion Brewery Bar 54, Kingswell Street, NN1 1PR and the Malt Shovel 121, Bridge Street NN1 1QF

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NOTTS COUNTY Meadow Lane, Nottingham, NG2 3HJ Next Fixture

The Vat & Fiddle 12-14 Queen's Bridge Road, Nottingham, NG2 1NB

The Vat & Fiddle is next to the Castle Rock Brewery en route from the station to the ground. It serves a range of Castle Rock ales along with a variety of guest and European beers. Food is available at lunch time.

There are a large range of excellent real ale pubs in the centre of Nottingham, a further 10-15 minute walk from Meadow Lane than the Vat & Fiddle.

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE Home Park, Plymouth, PL2 3DQ Next Fixture

Situated halfway between the railway station and the ground Britannia Inn Plymouth 2 Wolesely Road, Milehouse, PL2 3BH is a good option for drink and food. Its proximity to the ground means it is very busy on match days and you may wish to look for a quieter hostelry in the centre. The Stoke Inn 43, Devonport Road Stoke Plymouth PL3 4DL is one of the few real ale pubs within walking distance of Home Park (about 20 minutes) looks to be another option where up to 6 real ales can be supplemented with good food. .

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SWINDON TOWN, County Ground, County Road, Swindon, SN1 2ED. Last Fixture

The GW Hotel, Station Road, SN1 1DH is a decent pub opposite the station. An Arkell’s house with 2 or 3 ales usually available. There is a pool table, children are welcome and food is served.

A five minute walk from the station in the opposite direction of the ground The Glue Pot, 5 Emlyn Square, SN1 5BP is the nearest Good Beer Guide pub. This old fashioned corner pub serves an excellent range of real ales but unfortunately children under 14 are not allowed in. The Glue Pot is part of the historic Swindon Railway Village and well worth the detour. A great range of real ales and ciders is on offer.

YEOVIL TOWN Huish Park Stadium, Lufton Way, Yeovil BA22 8YF Next Fixture

Yeovil is not blessed with many real ale pubs due to its situation in the heart of cider drinking. While visiting I have usually found myself in the Arrow a large estate pub that does food. It also serves a number of real ales mainly from the Marstons range but usually has at least one on tap from the local Yeovil Brewery.