If you love scenic train rides, proper pints, and an excuse to explore new places, you’ll want to know about the Hertford Loop Ale Trail.
It’s a pocket-sized guide put together by volunteers from the Friends of Gordon Hill Station, Winchmore Hill Residents’ Association, Enfield Chase Station Partners, and The Enfield Society. The guide maps out the best places to drink within easy walking distance of every station on the Hertford Loop Line, from Alexandra Palace to Watton-at-Stone.
It’s local history mixed with a pub crawl, and is the perfect way to discover more of North London and Hertfordshire.
What is the Hertford Loop Ale Trail?
The ale trail is a guide to pubs, taprooms, micropubs and cafés along the Hertford Loop Line, which is part of the Great Northern Rail network. The guide covers the 12 stations on the route from Alexandra Palace to Watton-at-Stone, and recommends pubs and beer outlets that are walkable from those stations.
It features beautiful designs by London-based illustrator-as-historian Kremena Dimitrova, and comes with maps and notes about local sights to explore near each stop.
Image credit @kremenadimitrovaillustration on Instagram
Why the ale trail was created
This is a classic community project: local volunteers wanted a reason to celebrate the line, to get people off the train and into the neighbourhoods it serves, and to shine a light on good pubs that might otherwise be missed.
The project pulls together local history, stunning artwork, and the expertise of beer campaigners, and was created with support from local groups including Enfield and Barnet Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). It’s a great way to promote and support small, local businesses.
Why the Hertford Loop Ale Trail is worth exploring
There are three great reasons to make the Hertford Loop your next day out.
It’s sustainable and easy: Travelling by train lets you explore more places without needing to worry about parking and emissions zones. With stations spaced closely together, you can hop on and off the train to build a route that suits you. The booklet encourages travelling by train and explains ticketing and re-joining rules for Great Northern services.
You’ll find variety close to hand: The trail mixes classic, historic pubs with newer taprooms and a micropub or two. That means you can have a Victorian snug for atmosphere, a small-batch brewery taproom for experimental ales, and a friendly local for a proper pub lunch, all within a few minutes’ walk of the station.
It’s a route full of discoveries: The guide isn’t only about drinking. Each section includes pointers for local exploring, such as parks, murals, waterways and walking routes. There’s also a strong community angle: this is a trail created by the people who care for these stations, and walking it truly feels like being guided by a local.
View of The Swan and Pike Pool, Enfield Lock
What to expect on the trail
The Hertford Loop guide highlights 29 venues in total, including two taprooms and a micropub. The pubs and bars were selected mainly for how close they are to the railway stations and their ability to offer quality beer, cider or craft options. The guide includes maps, station histories, and travel notes plus accessibility information.
If you have mobility needs, check the accessibility notes before you travel, as some stations on the line do not have step-free access between street and platform.
Pubs and areas worth exploring
The guide follows the Hertford Loop Line, from inner-London stops like Alexandra Palace and Enfield Chase through suburban north London and out into Hertfordshire. Here are a few examples to give you a flavour (pun intended).
Alexandra Palace: There are a few strong options close to Alexandra Palace station, including small breweries and pubs within a short walk. The Starting Gate is less than a minutes’ walk from the station and is an impressive pub featuring stunning Victorian fittings like timber partitions.
Enfield Chase: Inner suburban stops like Enfield Chase offer community pubs and interesting local businesses and microbreweries. There are lots of open spaces to explore around Enfield Chase along with The Old Wheatsheaf, an attractive pub serving at least three real ales, which is pretty much right opposite the station.
Hertford North: The Hertford section highlights a number of venues, including places named in local listings such as Mind the Gap, The Millstream, The Old Cross Tavern, The Woolpack and The Six. These are convenient if you want to make Hertford itself the focus of your day. Beyond pubs, Hertford’s riverside and fascinating history is well worth exploring.
Read more: Why Hertford is one of the best day trips from London
The guide’s selection aims for accessible walks from the station rather than long countryside treks. That makes it ideal for a short afternoon stroll where you might visit two or three pubs, or for a longer day out if you’re aiming to see multiple stations and neighbourhoods.
Beyond the pints: local exploring
One of the best things about the Hertford Loop Ale Trail is that it encourages you to look up from your pint glass. At Alexandra Palace you have green space and views; in Enfield you’ll find murals and high-street character; in Hertford there’s riverside walking and historic streets.
If you have time, combine a couple of short walks with your pub stops, the guide includes attractive local paths and points of interest so you don’t miss them. Happy exploring!