St George's Day Festival Ale Trail

Follow the Ale Trail between Saturday 20 & Sunday 21 April to visit some of Leicester’s most historic pubs & bars each marking St George’s Day weekend with a special offer.

With participating venues dating back as far as 15th century, history buffs and food and drink fanatics will all find something to entice.

Which well know bar is thought to have begun life as a female prison, sharing under-ground tunnels below the city streets?

Which oldest pub in Leicester houses a well in its cellar?

And which pub is the namesake of an overnight inn for our very own Plantagenet King?

Delve into the past of all participating venues below and download the Loyal Free app where some of the venues are listed.

Knight and Garter

Housed in a Grade 2 listed building, the site has been home to an inn since the year 1312! Known for many years as the Saracen’s Head, the name derived from the imagery within the family coat-of-arms who were the original landowners. Now part of the Beautiful Pubs Collective for the past 6 years, Knight and Garter are pleased to offer: 2 Pints of Ale & a portion of homemade Pork Crackling & Apple Sauce for £12 for the St George’s Day Ale Trail.

The Gadabout

Peering back into history by 400 years could reveal this building starting life as a female prison with a network of underground tunnels connecting city locations, including the cathedral. It’s next chapter in life housed a brothel which folklore states was ran by a Madame whose bitter end was met in the venue itself!

Centuries since, The Gadabout’s doors have been open as a bar for 6 years. Across the weekend they offer Happy Hour prices on all beers all day at £4.50 a pint, a St George’s Day Special Cocktail and 10% off any bar snacks, nibbles & plates!

Rutland and Derby

With noted mentions of the ‘Rutland & Derby Arms’ found as far back as 1866, they have now been a part of the Beautiful Pubs Collective for over 13 years. Nip in on the Saturday for a flight of ale & complementary packet of Scampi or Bacon Fries for £4.50!

The Blue Boar

Borrowing its name from the legendary Blue Boar Inn, myth and legend surround the namesake with Richard III himself reputedly spending his final night at the inn on Leicester's Medieval High Street before the Battle of Bosworth in 1485.

Fast forward a few centuries and The Blue Boar on Millstone Lane opened its doors as a micro pub 8 years ago. They will have 6 hand pulled ales available across the weekend each with a significance to St George's Day! 

The Globe

Dating back to 1720, The Globe stands proud as a traditional British pub and eatery. Earnings its accolade as the oldest pub in Leicester, many original furnishings still feature such as gas lighting and snug areas. Visit and know that underneath your footsteps the cellar features a well and was a site that used to brew its own beer!

Across the weekend celebrate the patron saint at The Globe with traditional English meals plus some themed specials, 10% off a themed ale and a cocktail in the name of St George too! Booking for Sunday lunch is recommended.

Wygston’s House

Dating back to 15th century, this is the oldest house in Leicester. Standing proud since the medieval times on the High Street which in its day was the widest and busiest thoroughfare in the town. It is thought that Roger Wygston – a leading wool merchant, mayor of Leicester and MP in 1472 – lived here, hence its name.

To mark the St George’s Day Ale Trail, Wygston’s House will be offering ‘season Ales from Local Breweries’

 

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