Alehouses and breweries to visit in the UK?

[Pint_of_Bitter]

I am heading to the UK for a 2 week tour and besides fitting in some official duties at a wedding I’ll be dedicating most of the time to breweries, public houses and ale. I am after your collective wisdom on places to go…

I have lived in London before but at the time never really woke up to real ale (regretting this now big time). I will be based in London but also planning to do an ale trail/ramble – most likely South Down Way or North Yorkshire.

I plan to study up a bit on CAMRA website, traditional pub websites and the like but if anyone has some first hand experiences of place to go, people to talk that you recommend that would be appreciated.

Cheers

[Pint_of_Bitter]

Thanks Tony. That's generally my plan so I am glad you have endorsed it.

I'm keen on rambling through the countryside (rather than driving) so if anyone has any good tips on places to go...ie, not too far between pubs that might be handy. I have done some on the Thames path - freak that was good. But this time might try the South Downs.

[Tony]

OH MY GOD! Where do I start?

I am very envious, have fun.