Pits to Pints: Eastwood's Ale Trail

Step into the rich heritage of Eastwood and explore a town shaped by coal, community and character.

The Eastwood Ale Trail takes you on a journey through ten unique venues, each with its own connection to the people, places and stories that made Eastwood what it is today. Along the way, you'll meet a cast of colourful characters inspired by the town's mining past, uncover fascinating local history and collect trail stamps as you go.

From the hardworking pit ponies who kept coal moving underground to the famous D.H. Lawrence, from historic pubs that served generations of mining families to modern independent businesses carrying Eastwood's spirit into the future, every stop reveals another chapter in the town's story.

Whether you're a local looking to rediscover Eastwood or a visitor exploring for the first time, the trail offers the perfect blend of heritage, hospitality and great local venues.

How the trail works:

• Pick up your Eastwood Ale Trail Passport.
• Visit participating venues across the town.
• Collect a stamp at each stop.
• Complete the trail and celebrate your achievement.

Participating Venues

• Old Wine Vaults
• Dog & Parrot
• Mellors Mews
• Greenhouse Café & Bar
• Gamekeepers Free House
• Tap & Growler
• Greasley Castle Inn
• Pick & Davy
• Caught & Bowled
• Blue Monkey Brewery

Did you know....

...that there were several large collieries in the area, including Brinsley, Eastwood, High Park, Giltbrook, Moorgreen, Newthorpe, and the New London Colliery? This is on top of smaller old collieries like Throttleha'penny Pit and Bully Rag Pit (both early Newthorpe and Digby workings), and Daykin Colliery, as well as a number in neighbouring towns like Awsworth, Kimberley, Watnall.

They closed in stages, with Eastwood Colliery ceasing production in 1880 and New London in 1937. Although Gilt Brook closed in 1870 and Brinsley closed in 1934, access to neighbouring pits continued at both sites up until they were sealed in 1970. Newthorpe (also known as Lodge Colliery or Billy Hall's Pit) was exhausted and merged into Moorgreen in January 1960 and Moorgreen Colliery itself closed on 19 July 1985 after 120 years.

So, Eastwood, Hill Top, Newthorpe and Giltbrook were closely associated with the mining industry for many generations, and the closure of the pits has left its mark on the town in many ways.

Raise a Glass to Eastwood's Heritage

For generations, Eastwood's miners, families and communities gathered together to share stories, celebrate successes and support one another. The Eastwood Ale Trail is your invitation to follow in their footsteps, discover the town's remarkable past and enjoy the warm welcome that still defines Eastwood today.

Ten venues. Ten stories. One proud mining heritage.

A note on images used on these pages.

Historic images shown on these Ale Trail pages have been sourced and provided courtesy of either The National Archives or the Inspire Picture Archive and Eastwood Library. Individual images fully cited where used. Other images are provided either by the establishments on the Trail or were taken by Broxtowe Borough Council. 

The image of the Digby Miners reckoning, taken between 1907 and 1913 shown on this page is provided courtesy of The National Archives, COAL 13-73.