Largest stations without a convenient pub

[Joey Beauchamp]

I walked past The Alexandra Arms and The Brunswick today, unfortunately without enough time to pop in. Derby is certainly a great station for pubs.

But earlier in the day, I changed at Rugby, which has zero hostelries nearby. They've opened a modern wine / cocktail bar quite close to Coventry station, but the area is completely barren in terms of "proper pubs".

Any other large stations where it's inadvisable to have half an hour between trains?

 

[Sheddyone]

I walked past The Alexandra Arms and The Brunswick today, unfortunately without enough time to pop in. Derby is certainly a great station for pubs.

But earlier in the day, I changed at Rugby, which has zero hostelries nearby. They've opened a modern wine / cocktail bar quite close to Coventry station, but the area is completely barren in terms of "proper pubs".

Any other large stations where it's inadvisable to have half an hour between trains?

Worcester Shrub Hill is at least 5-10 mins trek each way to the Firefly and a couple of minutes further to the Imperial, making it a very quick pint and an uphill walk back.

Much better at Foregate St, with Weavers opposite.

 

[AndrewE]

I walked past The Alexandra Arms hotel and The Brunswick today, unfortunately without enough time to pop in. Derby is certainly a great station for pubs.

But earlier in the day, I changed at Rugby, which has zero hostelries nearby.

CAMRA says the Seven Stars is 0.4 miles away https://camra.org.uk/pubs/seven-stars-rugby-148497 and it looks worth visiting:

Traditional multi-roomed community pub with a focus on quality beer and cider. Its 14 handpumps dispense an ever-changing selection of up to 10 light and dark ales, plus four ciders, which are augmented by six craft beers. Food highlights include pie and pint on Wednesday evening. Home-made Scotch eggs and pork pies, plus filled rolls are available.

They've opened a modern wine / cocktail bar quite close to Coventry station, but the area is completely barren in terms of "proper pubs".

and they say that the "Aardvark" and the Squirrel are both 0.4 mi from the station...

Any other large stations where it's inadvisable to have half an hour between trains?

 

[Mag_seven]

Until the Spoons opened up just outside, Bristol Temple Meads was from memory one such station.

 

[Sheddyone]

Until the Spoons opened up just outside, Bristol Temple Meads was from memory one such station.

The spoons has made a big difference at New Street too, *if* you can get served.

 

[zwk500]

Is there anything closer to Milton Keynes Central than the Spoons on Midsummer Boulevard?

 

[Haywain]

Is there anything closer to Milton Keynes Central than the Spoons on Midsummer Boulevard?

No.

 

[Tetragon213]

Smethwick Galton Bridge has pretty much nothing nearby, despite being a 4 platform interchange.

Additionally, it's not a particularly nice area, so I would highly suggest not having a connection there if you can help it.

 

[Jimini]

They've opened a modern wine / cocktail bar quite close to Coventry station, but the area is completely barren in terms of "proper pubs".

Re: Coventry, Hotel Indigo opened a couple of years ago out the front of the station. Yeah, it's a hotel bar, but the drinks selection is decent and they have a couple of TVs if watching sport is your thing. Also a small seating area out the front, which is good value for people watching!

 

[Haywain]

The spoons has made a big difference at New Street too, *if* you can get served.

New Street is well served by other pubs selling good beer within a couple of minutes walk.

CAMRA says the Seven Stars is 0.4 miles away

As the crow flies. It will actually be about a 10 minutes walk, but Google Maps say 12 minutes.

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

CAMRA says the Seven Stars is 0.4 miles away https://camra.org.uk/pubs/seven-stars-rugby-148497 and it looks worth visiting:


and they say that the "Aardvark" and the Squirrel are both 0.4 mi from the station...

I would argue 0.4 miles isn't convenient. You would certainly be stressed if you tried to go there, sink a pint and get back for your train within half an hour or so (I'm sure it's possible!)

 

[SuspectUsual]

Re: Coventry, Hotel Indigo opened a couple of years ago out the front of the station. Yeah, it's a hotel bar, but the drinks selection is decent and they have a couple of TVs if watching sport is your thing. Also a small seating area out the front, which is good value for people watching!

Bring back the Rocket!!

 

[Jan Mayen]

Is there a station pub crawl thread somewhere? Along the lines of 'visit these stations, they have decent pubs opposite/next to/within the station? For some reason, I feel I'd like to do that today when I finish in twenty minutes....
Not that I will, of course, due to the 'Do Not Travel waning'

 

[Vinnym]

The spoons has made a big difference at New Street too, *if* you can get served.

Although it’s always busy, have never had any problems getting served in there. Problem with Wetherspoons in general is that people using the app seem to get better service.

 

[Jimini]

Bring back the Rocket!!

Heh, absolutely! The Aardvark isn't too bad, but a bit of a schlep from the station.

 

[SuspectUsual]

Heh, absolutely! The Aardvark isn't too bad, but a bit of a schlep from the station.

I learned to drink in the Rocket. It was a rubbish pub, but it was our rubbish pub, and they had a sensible approach to under 18s

Back then the bitter was M&B Brew XI on electric pump (a "state of the art" one where the barmaid pressed a button and it dispensed exactly half a pint of beer) and if you were "lucky" they might have some Ansells on a hand pump. Those were the days!

 

[AndrewE]

As the crow flies. It will actually be about a 10 minutes walk, but Google Maps say 12 minutes.

I hadn't spotted that, thanks... it might explain some puzzling longer-than-expected walks in the past!

Although it’s always busy, have never had any problems getting served in there. Problem with Wetherspoons in general is that people using the app seem to get better service.

We gave up and left from the Bull and Stirrup in Chester as we couldn't get served; when I thought I had got to the front of the queue the staff just bu**ered off to the other end of the bar and proceeded to prepare trays of drinks for app orderers. We had to get to the station for a train so we walked - and went without a pint which I could have done with. I now know to go straight to the bar on the station (the "Station Tap Room") or to the Deva tap.

 

[The exile]

Until the Spoons opened up just outside, Bristol Temple Meads was from memory one such station.

There was always one at the bottom of the station approach.

 

[The exile]

Are Port Sunlight and Bournville still “dry” towns? I believe Saltaire no longer is. Actually, was Lever a teetotaller like Salt and Cadbury?

 

[davetheguard]

Exeter St. David's.

All the pubs just outside have closed down, although there is the Exeter Brewery taproom a few minutes' walk away - but only open a couple of evenings a week.

Otherwise it's a steep walk uphill to the Imperial, which is a bit of a flagship Wetherspoons pub. But too far away if you've only got half an hour between trains.

 

[AndrewE]

There was always one at the bottom of the [Temple Meads] station approach.

There was, and it was pretty awful keg beer only too. Allegedly you could buy free passes (blue Edmondson card tickets) in there!
Nearby was a real old classic which I am afraid I never got to, it served chitterlings on a Saturday night...

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Exeter St. David's.

All the pubs just outside have closed down, although there is the Exeter Brewery taproom a few minutes' walk away - but only open a couple of evenings a week.

Otherwise it's a steep walk uphill to the Imperial, which is a bit of a flagship Wetherspoons pub. But too far away if you've only got half an hour between trains.

Plymouth is hopeless too - a student bar by the University is the only (poor) option. The only decent pubs in the city-centre are on the Barbican which is a long, long toddle away. If you are catching the bus to Tavistock try the Fortescue on Mutley Plain - I may have been detained in there.

 

[D1511]

Is there anything closer to Milton Keynes Central than the Spoons on Midsummer Boulevard?

The Talbot Inn in Loughton on the opposite side of the station isn't bad, but it's a bit further away. But then again, it's not owned by an idiot Brexiteer....

 

[Haywain]

it's a bit further away.

1.2 miles - a 26 minute walk!

 

[xotGD]

Are Port Sunlight and Bournville still “dry” towns? I believe Saltaire no longer is. Actually, was Lever a teetotaller like Salt and Cadbury?

Several good options in Saltaire.

Skipton has the disadvantage of the station being a bit away from the town centre, but once you're in town you are spoilt for choice.

 

[The exile]

Ryde Pier Head is a bit isolated for obvious reasons. Didn’t find anything at all of interest near Ebbsfleet International.

 

[D1537]

CAMRA says the Seven Stars is 0.4 miles away https://camra.org.uk/pubs/seven-stars-rugby-148497 and it looks worth visiting:

Probably the best pub in Rugby, especially if you like your real ale. Yes, a bit non-useful if you've only got half an hour, but if you ever have longer I can absolutely recommend it.

 

[Harpo]

Problem with Wetherspoons in general is that people using the app seem to get better service.

Problem with using the Spoons app is staff arriving without beer to tell you ‘that one’s off’. Otherwise, it’s bloody marvellous.

 

[Bald Rick]

Is there anything closer to Milton Keynes Central than the Spoons on Midsummer Boulevard?

No.

Yes!

Theres a bar in Unity place. much nicer than the other place mentioned.

 

[AndrewE]

Yes!
Theres a bar in Unity place. much nicer than the other place mentioned.

but does it have any beer which isn't too cold and fizzy for a real ale drinker's taste?