Didsbury: 12-Pub Crawl Challenge with Brunch & Pizza Party

Summary

Twelve pubs in didsbury laughter games pizza and a boozy challenge

You’ll start your Didsbury Dozen adventure with brunch to line your stomachs before tackling twelve classic pubs—each with its own character and crowd. Expect laughs, little drinking games along the way, and a proper pizza party when you finish (or nearly finish). It’s less about finishing every drink than sharing stories—and maybe singing badly—with new mates.

What’s the experience like?

Ever wondered if you could really make it through all twelve pubs in Didsbury? I wasn’t sure myself until last Saturday. We kicked off at The Didsbury with that sort of nervous energy you get before something a bit daft—plates of eggs and bacon going around, people eyeing up their first pint even though it was barely noon. Our guide (I think his name was Tom?) handed out little cards for the “Didsbury Dozen” challenge, grinning like he’d seen plenty of overconfident groups before us. He told us to pace ourselves—good advice, but honestly, who listens after the second stop?

The walk between pubs is short enough that you don’t sober up but long enough to catch bits of conversation from locals outside Ye Old Cock Inn—one old fella asked if we were “mad or just tourists,” which made us laugh harder than it should’ve. Each place had its own thing: sticky wooden tables at The Royal Oak, someone’s dog asleep under a bench at The Fletcher Moss, the sound of glasses clinking and that low hum of music mixing with Mancunian chatter. I tried some weird gin cocktail at The Dog and Partridge (not my best decision), and Li laughed when I tried to order in her accent—she said I sounded more Welsh than anything.

By pub seven or eight—I lost count around The Dockyard—the world felt softer around the edges. There were silly drinking games at The Nelson (I lost badly), and someone started a half-hearted singalong at The Woodstock Arms. Somewhere in there, I remember the smell of pizza drifting from a kitchen—maybe I was just hungry by then. Finishing at The Railway with greasy slices and everyone’s cheeks flushed from both cold air and beer… well, it felt like we’d won something pointless but brilliant. Not everyone made it to all twelve drinks (no shame), but nobody seemed to care.

I still think about that walk between pubs—the way the light changed as afternoon slipped into evening, how strangers became friends for a few hours. If you’re thinking about doing the Didsbury Dozen pub crawl from Manchester or anywhere nearby… well, bring good shoes and don’t plan anything important for the next morning.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Complete the Didsbury Dozen pub crawl

• Start at The Didsbury pub
• Visit Ye Old Cock Inn
• Stop at The Famous Crown
• Go to The Royal Oak
• Enjoy The Fletcher Moss
• Drink at The Dog and Partridge
• Visit The Dockyard
• Stop at The Station
• Go to The Nelson
• Enjoy The Woodstock Arms
• Drink at The Metropolitan
• Finish at The Railway
• Complete crawl within 6 hours

Top questions

How many pubs are included in the Didsbury Dozen pub crawl?

The Didsbury Dozen pub crawl includes twelve different pubs in Didsbury village.

Is food included during the Didsbury Dozen pub crawl?

Yes, brunch is included at the start and there’s a pizza party upon finishing the crawl.

How long does the Didsbury Dozen take?

The challenge is to complete all twelve stops within six hours.

Are there public transport options near the start or end?

Yes, public transportation options are available nearby for both start and finish locations.

Is this pub crawl suitable for people with health conditions?

No, it’s not recommended for pregnant travelers or those with spinal injuries or poor cardiovascular health.

Do I need to be physically fit for this tour?

You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness due to walking between pubs.

What drinks are offered at each stop?

You can choose from various alcohol drink options at each of the twelve pubs on the route.

What’s included

Your day includes a hearty brunch to kick things off, entry into each of the twelve classic Didsbury pubs with an alcoholic drink option at every stop, playful games along the way if you’re up for them, plus a celebratory pizza party when you reach the final pub—all guided by someone who knows every shortcut (and probably every barman) in town.