The ten-mile pub crawl: Taxi firm and pubs team up for Holderness ale trail

PUBS across Holderness are joining forces in a bid to increase tourism in the area.

The Wrygarth Inn in Great Hatfield, the George and Dragon in Aldbrough, the Blue Bell Inn in Old Ellerby, the Falcon Inn in Withernwick, the Railway Inn in New Ellerby and the Duke of York in Skirlaugh have combined to create the ultimate Holderness Ale Trail for pub-lovers.

Ray Thompson, landlord of the Wrygarth Inn, had the idea of the real ale trail, which launches today.

Mr Thompson said: "A gent came into the pub about two months ago on his way from Leeds to Skipsea, where he has a caravan.

"His sat nav had brought him through all our villages and he said he was surprised by all the great pubs he had been missing out on.

"This got me thinking, how many people are actually passing on their way to their caravans on the coast and don't know we exist."

Mr Thompson approached the pubs in the area with his idea of the real ale trail.

He said: "I think I asked ten pubs in total and got six, including the Wrygarth Inn, involved. It is all about improving the tourism experience for people.

"All the pubs have something different to offer, whether it is a bowling green or a crazy golf course. There is something for everyone."

The ale trail will also include the ultimate "disloyalty" card, to encourage people to visit different pubs, where they will get a stamp on their card for each pub they visit.

When they have collected six stamps, they will receive a free beer at a pub of their choice.

The ale trail has also teamed up with Hornsea Private Hire Taxis to make sure drinkers get home responsibly.

Mr Thompson said: "I think the real ale trail is unique.

"Normally, pubs want to keep customers and business to themselves but this is about sharing trade and creating a better tourism experience for visitors."

The Holderness Real Ale Trail runs until October 31.

The Wrygarth Inn in Great Hatfield has been shortlisted as one of the six finalists in the Best Community Pub category at the Great British Pub Awards 2014.

Landlord Ray Thompson and his wife Sandra have been running the pub for six years.

Mr Thompson said: "This is great news.

"We got shortlisted last year, so the judges must have been impressed with what they saw."

Winners will be invited to the Great British Pub Awards night on Thursday, September 11, at the London Hilton in Park Lane.