Is this the ultimate pub crawl? 23 pubs taking part in real-ale event along Dudley-Wolverhampton bus route

This may well be the world’s greatest pub crawl - but it’s not for the faint-hearted.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) will mark Mild in May next month by holding a 23-pub real ale trail along a 10-mile bus route between Dudley and Wolverhampton.

The Dudley and Wolverhampton branches of the beer lovers’ club have teamed up with pubs along the No. 1 bus route, which have all agreed to have at least one mild ale on tap for the duration of next month.

The trail begins (or ends) at the Malt Shovel outside the Dudley bus terminus in Tower Street, which will be putting on a guest mild for the event.

The Lamp Tavern in Dudley High Street, a 10-minute walk away, will be stocking Batham’s Mild.

Next up is the Saracen’s Head in Stone Street, opposite the Priory Street bus stop, which will also be putting on a guest mild throughout May.

The Stripey Oss microbar in the Arcade, Upper Gornal, will be putting on Highgate brewery’s Ickle Mild, while the Britannia Inn will also be serving Batham’s.

Stopping off next at Moden Hill, the Jolly Crispin in Kent Street will have a guest mild on, while The Old Mill in nearby Windmill Street will have Holden’s on tap.

Getting off next at Sedgley market hall, Sanzibar in Dudley Street will have two milds on, Holden’s plus an extra guest mild.

Also in Sedgley, the Swan Inn in Gospel End Street, the Clifton in the Bull Ring, and the White Lion in Bilston Street will all be putting on guest milds, while the Bull’s Head in Bilston Street will be serving Holden’s, and the Beacon Hotel will be stocking its award-winning Sarah Hughes Mild, which is brewed on the premises.

Next stop is the Mount Pleasant, commonly known as The Stump, in Sedgley High Street - between the High Park Crescent and Springfield Grove bus stops, which will be putting on a guest mild for the duration of the event. It will also be stocking Banks’s keg mild, although sadly it is no longer available as a real ale after production ended in 2025.

Participants then have a few miles to recuperate, as the next stop is The Wheatsheaf pub in Market Street, Wolverhampton, close to the bus stop outside Bilston Street police station.

The Great Western, a 10-minute walk away in Cornhill, will be stocking Holden’s Mild. Back on the bus until the Art Gallery stop in Lichfield Street, The Goose will be putting on a guest ale, and the nearby Lych Gate will be stocking Black Country Ales Pig on the Wall.

The Pack bar at the former Mike Lloyd Music shop in Queen Square will be stocking at least one mild, and then it’s back on the bus in Darlington Street, outside Beatties, to head for the Combermere Arms in Chapel Ash.

Back on the bus to the Connaught Road bus stop, and take a two-minute walk to the Royal Oak in Compton Road. Another 10 minutes away is the Chindit in Merridale Road.

Final stop, at the end of the route, is the Royal Oak in School Street, Tettenhall Wood, which will also have a mild on for the event.

A day-saver ticket, priced £5.20, allows passengers unlimited use of the No. 1 bus service.

John Corser, chairman of Dudley and South Staffordshire Camra branch, said he hoped as many real-ale lovers as possible would take part in the trail.

“The aim is to encourage people to try mild and also support the great real ale pubs that we have across the Black Country,” he said.

Mr Corser said 2026 marked the 50th anniversary of both the Dudley and Wolverhampton branches.

“We hope that people will try the milds, a brilliant local beer style that needs to be supported, and will use the local bus route and try some of our great pubs that feature in Camra's Good Beer Guide."