Largest stations without a convenient pub

[Bald Rick]

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

I didn’t realise that was a criteria!

 

[AndrewE]

I didn’t realise that was a criteria!

It is for some of us, but if push comes to shove we have to look for the least worst option! i.e. which is the least super-cooled and is not nitro-keg?

Once upon a time pubs had bottled Worthington White Shield which was Real Ale In a Bottle (yeast in the bottom, like bottle-conditioned home brew) but that has disappeared nowadays too.

 

[Llandudno]

Crewe

There are a couple of dire pubs within 10 minutes walk, otherwise 20 minute hike to the town centre where are at least 3 fine establishments!

Warrington Bank Quay, need to walk 10 minutes to the town centre

Tamworth, need to walk 10 minutes to town centre, then lots of options!

Stevenage, need to walk 10 minutes to the old town

 

[yorksrob]

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.

I managed it !

Would be nice if the Great Western came back though.

 

[yorksrob]

Ely seems a long way from a pub for an important junction. Several important junctions in Cornwall St Erth, Truro and Liskeard (Liskeard had one until about 2010 or so).

 

[Ballyheigue]

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

Pleased to say Saltare is the exact opposite, it's a drinking village nowadays, Titus would be seething lol. Within a 2 to 3 minute walk from the station you have 'Don't tell Titus' and The Boathouse. About 5 minutes away is Fanny's Ale House (there's another pub close to Fanny's but can't remember it's name) and 7 or so minutes away is The Tramsheds (no, you can't call it Salt, it's Tramsheds to locals) as well as another pub over the road. 10 minutes uphill from Saltaire Station there is The Ring O Bells.

 

[Ballyheigue]

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.

Using the back path, you can be in town in about 10 minutes and I think there is a pub (The Railway?) on the way into town. Going slightly off topic, but related to transport and drinking, I'll tell you all a funny story about that path. I went to the Grassington beer festival one year a good while ago and caught the bus back to Ilkley, but didn't realise it was going via Skipton! I knew I wouldn't make it to Ilkley so bailed at Skipton, no working toilets and in need of the loo, thankfully that passage provided cover, or so I thought lol, the words tut tut and disgusting came from a passing elderly lady who I didn't see in the dark.

 

[Djgr]

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

Port Sunlight has the Bridge Inn but I would recommend going out of the village (not a town) to the Rose and Crown in Lower Bebington Village.

 

[Minnietheminx]

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

I've found the best response to that is to smile and gently ask 'Can you guess my next question?'. It's amazing how few staff can anticipate being asked some variation on 'well, what is on?'

 

[EyeKay]

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.

I would second that. The Seven Stars is worth a visit if you don’t like your beer, cold and fizzy.

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

Tamworth, need to walk 10 minutes to town centre, then lots of options!

Not quite, The Albert is 0.1 miles away, although it is a bit restraunty.

 

[Magdalia]

For more than 20 years Cambridge would have qualified for this. There was no pub near the station between the closure of the old Station Hotel and the opening of the current Station Tavern.

 

[Haywain]

For more than 20 years Cambridge would have qualified for this. There was no pub near the station between the closure of the old Station Hotel and the opening of the current Station Tavern.

The Devonshire is only a few minutes walk away.

 

[Magdalia]

The Devonshire is only a few minutes walk away.

Indeed, but in the period after the old Station Hotel closed, it wasn't the sort of pub where you went for a drink between trains!

 

[Haywain]

Well, if we are talking about a time in the past ( and the Dev has been a decent pub forimost of the last 20 years) it could invalidate most of the answers on the thread.

 

[D6130]

Perth station comes to mind. The nearest pub was for many years the wonderfully-friendly and beery Greyfriars in South Street - a good twelve minutes walk from the station - but that has now become a cocktail bar. Come to think of it, Perth city centre is desperately short of pubs and bars nowadays.

 

[mq90]

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

Was in Saltaire last week. Most definitely not a dry town judging by the many people drinking al fresco outside a couple of bars on the main street. And had a couple of decent drinks in Fanny’s Alehouse myself, great little pub.

 

[Sir Felix Pole]

Ely seems a long way from a pub for an important junction. Several important junctions in Cornwall St Erth, Truro and Liskeard (Liskeard had one until about 2010 or so).

'The Royal' at Par, Cornwall, a handy watering hole for enthusiasts for many years, is also closing from the 6th September I have discovered. Nearest will be 'The Welcome Home' in Par itself, or the 'New Inn' at Tywardreath (which is excellent).

 

[yorksrob]

'The Royal' at Par, Cornwall, a handy watering hole for enthusiasts for many years, is also closing from the 6th September I have discovered. Nearest will be 'The Welcome Home' in Par itself, or the 'New Inn' at Tywardreath (which is excellent).

That's a shame. I popped in there a few years ago and it seemed quite busy.

 

[parkender102]

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

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.

Absolutely recommend the Station Tap Room at Chester Station. Great selection of drinks as you would expect from an establishment run by the Spitting Feathers Brewery in Waverton. Some decent German beer also available in Steins for those that find a pint glass not enough! They also do takeaways for the train in Plastic Glasses. Open for Breakfast from 7am Mon - Sat and the bar is open from 9am Mon - Sat - Sundays hours slightly shorter opening times.

 

[parkender102]

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

The Bridge Inn is right in the centre of historic Port Sunlight - a 7 min walk from Port Sunlight Station.

 

[Djgr]

The Bridge Inn is right in the centre of historic Port Sunlight - a 7 min walk from Port Sunlight Station.

As mentioned above

 

[EbbwJunction1]

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.

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...

The pub at the bottom of the Station Approach is now called "The Sidings", although it's had a number of names over the years, including "The Wreckless Engineer", which was a reference to I K Brunel, although I don't know why. It seems to be currently closed, though, although I don't know why - I don't think that I've ever been in it.

I remember going into a pub further up Bath Road near the entrance to the railway depot many years ago; however, that's long gone. There's two good ones on Victoria Street ("Ye Shakespeare" and the "Kings Head"), but they're both around 10 - 15 minutes walk away given the convoluted road system in the area.

 

[The exile]

The pub at the bottom of the Station Approach is now called "The Sidings", although it's had a number of names over the years, including "The Wreckless Engineer", which was a reference to I K Brunel, although I don't know why.

Don’t think it had a “w” on the front!

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Don’t think it had a “w” on the front!

My memory is that it did, but I'm happy to be corrected!

 

[Haywain]

Don’t think it had a “w” on the front!

Definitely no W. I think the previous poster might have been a bit reckless with that!

 

[EbbwJunction1]

Definitely no W. I think the previous poster might have been a bit reckless with that!

Noted, thanks.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

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

Although of course there are a number of good options very close to New Street station - Bacchus (underneath the Burlington Hotel, right outside on Stephenson Street) springs immediately to mind - beware though, being underground, mobile signal is sketchy if you want to check train times!

Also The Shakespeare, The Victoria, Cherry Reds (Cafe Bar), The Railway (not recommended), each very close to one of the exits.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

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

Bournville village is dry - but the other side of the railway bridge is Stirchley, one of my absolute favourite parts of Birmingham, home to many excellent bars and restaurants and no fewer than 3 breweries. Attic brewery is right outside Bournville station, and (for my money) the best brewery in Brum, Glasshouse, is a short walk down the towpath. Many a very happy summer afternoon spent outside Glasshouse!

 

[Joey Beauchamp]

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.

Currently sat outside the Seven Stars enjoying their sausage and cider festival and have to say it's very amenable. I'll be back.