10 exceptional breweries and real ale pubs across Chester and Wrexham — from a 900-year-old medieval inn to Wales's oldest lager brewery
Start Your Journey ↓The Borderlands Ale Trail is a self-guided journey through the finest breweries and real ale pubs in Chester and Wrexham — two cities straddling the Wales-England border, each with a brewing story that stretches back centuries. This is one of Britain's most rewarding and underrated beer trails, and almost nobody knows it exists.
On the Welsh side, Wrexham Lager Brewery — established 1882 and the oldest lager brewery in Wales — sits alongside the innovative Magic Dragon Brewery taproom and a thriving scene of real ale micropubs. On the English side, Chester's Pied Bull has been pouring ale since 1155, while the canal-side Old Harkers Arms is one of the finest ale pubs in the North West.
The two cities are just 15 minutes apart by train — making this the perfect two-day beer adventure. Day one in Wrexham, day two in Chester, no car required.
Hand-picked stops on the Borderlands Ale Trail — from historic Welsh taprooms to Chester's canal-side classics
A traditional Welsh village pub serving the Ruabon community for generations and renowned for its rotating cask ales and warm hospitality. An ideal first stop on the ale trail — especially for those arriving from Pontcysyllte Aqueduct or Chirk Castle. The Bridge End perfectly captures what a Welsh real ale pub should be: unhurried, welcoming, and serious about its beer.
The oldest lager brewery in Wales, established in 1882 and famously the brewery that supplied lager to the ill-fated RMS Titanic. After decades of closure, Wrexham Lager has been revived to produce authentic pilsner-style lager using traditional methods. Tour the historic brewery and taste a piece of Welsh brewing history — this is non-negotiable on any Wrexham beer trail.
Wrexham's finest craft brewery, with a taproom serving their full range of innovative Welsh ales. Magic Dragon combines traditional brewing techniques with experimental flavours, producing distinctive beers that have put Wrexham firmly on the craft beer map. The relaxed taproom atmosphere makes it perfect for sampling their latest brews alongside the classics — the craft beer antidote to the Wrexham Lager stop next door.
A traditional micropub in the heart of Wrexham with a simple, principled approach: no music, no TV, no distractions — just great real ale and good conversation. The Brewery Tap champions local and independent brewers, rotating its cask selection weekly so there is always something new to discover. The anti-pub pub, and all the better for it.
A riverbank pub of quite exceptional beauty, sitting on the banks of the River Dee between Wrexham and Llangollen. The Boat combines a stunning rural setting with quality real ales and excellent food — perfect for walkers exploring the Dee Valley or anyone wanting a countryside break on the ale trail. Book in advance for the riverside terrace, particularly in summer.
One of Chester's oldest pubs, with records dating back to 1155 — making it among the oldest licensed premises in England. Located in the heart of Chester's medieval Rows, the Pied Bull offers an extensive range of real ales in a building that has witnessed nearly 900 years of history. Ale was being served here when the Romans were a recent memory. The medieval atmosphere is not manufactured.
A brewpub in the truest sense — where you can watch the brewing process through glass panels while enjoying the fresh results. Chester Brewhouse (Brewhouse & Kitchen) combines restaurant-quality food with house-brewed ales, from their core range to seasonal specials. If you've ever wondered how beer is made, this is the most enjoyable classroom imaginable.
An award-winning Cheshire brewery in the countryside just outside Chester, producing bold, full-flavoured ales with serious character. Spitting Feathers is celebrated for their creative seasonal brews alongside a reliable core range. Visit the brewery tap room to sample the full range in the Cheshire countryside — a superb detour from the city centre trail.
Chester's premier craft beer venue with an ever-changing selection of local and guest ales — a showcase for the best of British craft brewing. The Music Hall Tap celebrates craft beer culture with regular tap takeovers, meet-the-brewer events, and one of the best and most curated beer selections in the region. If you want to know what's exciting in British craft beer right now, come here.
The perfect final stop. The Old Harkers Arms — a beautifully converted Victorian canal goods warehouse on the Shropshire Union Canal — is widely regarded as Chester's finest ale pub. Exposed brick, a canal-side terrace, an outstanding real ale selection, and one of the most celebrated whisky collections in the North West. Pull up a stool, raise a glass, and congratulate yourself on completing the trail.
The Borderlands Ale Trail works beautifully as a two-day trip — one day focused on Wrexham, one day on Chester. The 15-minute direct train makes it entirely practical without a car — and far more sensible.
Both city centres are compact and walkable. Most stops are within a 15-minute walk of the train stations. The outliers — Spitting Feathers in Waverton and The Boat at Erbistock — suit a taxi or designated driver arrangement.
Premier Inn Wrexham Town Centre (0.2 miles from the Racecourse, near The Brewery Tap) is ideal for a Wrexham base. In Chester, the city centre hotels put you within walking distance of all Chester stops.
Wrexham Hotel Guide →Chester and Wrexham are 12 miles apart — 15 minutes by direct train. Both city centres are compact and entirely walkable.
The Borderlands Ale Trail is a self-guided tour of 10 exceptional breweries and real ale pubs across Chester and Wrexham — two cities straddling the Wales-England border. The trail takes in everything from Wrexham's historic Wrexham Lager Brewery (est. 1882, the oldest lager brewery in Wales) and the Magic Dragon craft taproom, to Chester's medieval Pied Bull (dating to 1155) and the canal-side Old Harkers Arms.
Wrexham has two standout brewing destinations. Wrexham Lager Brewery (established 1882) is Wales's oldest lager brewery and famously supplied lager to the Titanic — brewery tours must be booked in advance. The Magic Dragon Brewery Tap is the city's best craft beer destination, offering an innovative range of Welsh ales in a relaxed taproom setting. Together they represent the full span of Wrexham's brewing heritage.
Chester has several outstanding real ale pubs. The Old Harkers Arms on the Shropshire Union Canal is a Victorian warehouse conversion widely regarded as Chester's finest ale pub, with exceptional real ales and an outstanding whisky selection. The Pied Bull is one of England's oldest pubs (records to 1155) and offers real ales in a genuinely medieval atmosphere. Chester Brewhouse allows you to watch beer being brewed while you drink it.
The best way is by direct train — just 15 minutes, running frequently throughout the day. This makes the ale trail entirely practical without driving, which is both safer and more sensible. Both Wrexham General station and Chester station are within walking distance of all city-centre pub stops on the trail. See our Wrexham FAQ guide and Chester FAQ guide for full transport information.
Yes — Wrexham Lager Brewery offers tours of their historic brewery in Wrexham town centre. Tours must be booked in advance. The brewery was founded in 1882, is the oldest lager brewery in Wales, and famously supplied lager to the RMS Titanic. The revival of the brewery is one of Wrexham's most heartening recent stories — tasting the lager fresh from source is the ideal way to experience it.
Yes — it is ideally suited to a weekend. Day one covers Wrexham's breweries and pubs (Wrexham Lager, Magic Dragon, Bridge End Inn, The Brewery Tap), with overnight accommodation in Wrexham. Day two crosses the border to Chester for the Pied Bull, Old Harkers Arms, Chester Brewhouse, and the Music Hall Tap. The 15-minute train link between cities makes it effortless. Book your Wrexham hotel here.
