Long Live the Local – The Great British Pub Ride
Cycling | Events | Pub Accommodation | Uk Pubs | Posted 2025.06.18
In the last forty years the UK has lost a staggering 25% of its pubs. That’s over 13,000 locals gone – with six more closing every single week. It’s a sobering reality that thousands of pubs across the country now face an uncertain future. But something can be done – and it starts with The Thinking Drinkers.
On Friday 20th June, comedy duo and drink experts Ben and Tom – The Thinking Drinkers – are setting out an extraordinary challenge: cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats entirely powered by the support of British Pubs. No supermarkets. No coffee chains. No Greggs (not even for a cheeky sausage roll). Just eating, drinking, sleeping and stopping in the Great British pub.
Why? Because if we don’t use pubs, we’ll lose them.
Armed with a tandem bike they’ve never ridden before, and a saddle-load of determination, Ben and Tom are embarking on a 1,000-mile journey to shine the spotlight on an industry under immense pressure. It’ll be a brutal ride – but nothing compared to what pubs face daily.
The cost of running a pub has become unsustainable. Even the busiest establishments are struggling to stay afloat. With £1 in every £3 spent in a pub going straight to the Chancellor in taxes, and landlords earning just 12p profit on a £5 pint, the odds are stacked against them. Few industries face such tough margins.
But this isn’t just about economics. Pubs are about people.
They’re community hubs, meeting spots and cultural institutions. They host everything from coffee mornings and comedy nights to kids’ parties, book clubs, live music and even Pilates classes. They’re where you can work remotely, catch up with friends, or chat to a friendly stranger over a cold pint. They’re inclusive, historic and vital to our social fabric.
That’s why Ben and Tom are raising awareness with their “Great British Pub Ride” – a journey that’s hilarious as it is heartfelt and a powerful call to action to protect our pubs from disappearing.
The Great British Pub Ride Route
Friday 20th July: Day 1
Start: Old Success Inn, Penzance
AM: Crown Inn, Penzance
Lunch: Blue Anchor Inn, Helston
PM: Ship Inn, Pentewan
Sleep: Haveners, Fowey
Saturday 21st June: Day 2
AM: Crow’s Nest, Liskeard
Lunch: The Blacksmiths Arms, Tavistock
PM: The Kings Arms, Okehampton
Sleep: Mill On The Exe, Exeter
Sunday 22nd June: Day 3
AM: Thorverton Arms, Exeter
AM: Butterleigh Inn, Cullompton
Lunch: Ring O’Bells, Taunton
PM: The Railway Inn, Sandford
Sleep: The Rising Sun, Bristol
Monday 23rd June: Day 4:
AM: Kings Head, Bristol
Lunch: Salutation Inn, Berkeley
PM: Old Black Bear, Twekesbury
Sleep: Ye Olde Talbot, Worcester
Tuesday 24th June: Day 5
AM: Black Star, Stourport-on-Severn
Lunch: Harp Hotel, Wolverhampton
PM: Sanbrook Vaults, Market Drayton
Sleep: Cholmondeley Arms, Malpas
Wednesday 25th June: Day 6:
AM: The Spinner & Bergamot, Northwich
Lunch: Barkley Tavern, Wigan
PM: The Black Horse, Preston
Sleep: Royal Oak, Preston
Thursday 26th June: Day 7
AM: White Cross, Lancashire
Lunch: The Royal Barn, Carnforth
PM: Mardale Inn, Bampton
Sleep: The Crown Inn, Pooley Bridge
Friday 27th June: Day 8
AM: Spinners Arms, Cummersdale
Lunch: Blue Bell Inn, Anna
PM: Kings Arms, Lochmaben
Sleep: Old Stables Inn, Moffat
Saturday 28th June: Day 9
AM: Wanlockhead Inn, Biggar
Lunch: Colebrooke Arms, Biggar
PM: The Railway Inn, West Calder
Sleep: The Bridge Inn at Ratho
Sunday 29th June: Day 10
AM: Loch Leven Taproom, Kinross
Lunch: Old Ship Inn, Perth
PM: Bankfoot Inn, Perth
Sleep: Old Mill Inn, Pitlochry
Monday 30th June: Day 11
AM: The Bothy Bar, Pitlochry
Lunch: Inshriach Shed & Distillery, Aviemore
Sleep: Old Bridge Bunkhouse, Aviemore
Tuesday 1st July: Day 12
AM: The Cairn Hotel, Inverness
Lunch: Black Isle Bar, Inverness
PM: The Mallard Bar, Dingwall
Sleep: Commercial Hotel, Alness
Wednesday 2nd July: Day 13
AM: Invershin Hotel Bunkhouse & Bar
Lunch: The Crask Inn, Lairg
Sleep: Farr Bay Inn, Thurso
Thursday 3rd July: Day 14
AM: The Strathy Inn, Thurso
Lunch: Halladale Inn, Thurso
PM: Ferry Inn, Thurso
Finish: The Last House, John O’Groats
How Can You Help?
- Visit Your Local Pub – Pop in for a pint, grab a bite, support their events.
- Subscribe, Like and Follow their YouTube campaign HERE.
- Back the “Long Live The Local” initiative HERE.
It’s time to stop taking locals for granted. If we don’t act now, we could see them replaced by the bland uniformity of branded coffee chains and supermarkets.
So let’s rise up against the “Pastry-archy”, saddle up in spirit, and raise a glass to Britain’s finest institution – the pub.
Written by Lucille Skinner
Social Media Assistant