Railway Pubs

[61653 HTAFC]

I had a drink in the Head of Steam once and found it quite pleasant. But as you can (or could) walk into it from the street side and out again onto the platform, and as they have now installed ticket barriers in the main part of the station, I wonder if that is now a way of getting a free ride, or are there barriers in the pub?

Barriers in a pub would be quite something...
Using the doors onto the platform is discouraged, but not generally strictly policed. Access via the platform is the step-free route to both pubs, so cannot be completely closed off.

 

[JonnyH]

Wow what a fantastic response! I shall endeavour to get around as many of these as I possibly can! Thanks ever so much to everybody for your input

 

[RichmondCommu]

The Paddington and reading pubs are fuller's meaning over priced southern pop

It's worth mentioning here that pubs at St Pancras and Kings Cross also sell bitter at vastly inflated prices. That said I'm not really sure how you can describe Fullers offerings as being "pop".

 

[306024]

Most obscure would be The Jolly Porter micro pub on Diss station, the smallest of all mentioned so far.

But for tiny try Claygate. Apparently the micro pub there is in a former taxi office and can accommodate just two people according to the BBC website.

 

[fairysdad]

Possibly the most useless post in this thread:

I'm pretty sure - through passing by on the train on many occasions - that there's a pub on the platform at Bath Spa station. No idea what it's called, who runs it, or anything like that though. (I know I could Google it, but can't be bothered to...)

 

[bastien]

Possibly the most useless post in this thread:

I'm pretty sure - through passing by on the train on many occasions - that there's a pub on the platform at Bath Spa station. No idea what it's called, who runs it, or anything like that though. (I know I could Google it, but can't be bothered to...)

Graze, run by Bath Ales https://www.bathales.com/pid/graze-bath/

 

[FGW_DID]

Possibly the most useless post in this thread:

I'm pretty sure - through passing by on the train on many occasions - that there's a pub on the platform at Bath Spa station. No idea what it's called, who runs it, or anything like that though. (I know I could Google it, but can't be bothered to...)

Not actually on the platform but it is literally the other side of the platform fence, it's about a 30 second walk from the main station entrance.

Good beers, great food and a cracking train viewing spot especially on a nice day.

Another must visit pub for a rail enthusiast, again not on a station but about 5-10 minutes walk is the Alexandria Hotel (I think that's the name) in Derby.

Rammed with railwayania, there's even a Class 37 cab in the car park! From the front window there is a view of the lines heading north out of the station.

 

[Blindtraveler]

I didnt know about the pub at Carlisle. Where is it? Must sample.

 

[bearhugger]

I didnt know about the pub at Carlisle. Where is it? Must sample.

According to the following link it's on platform 4 and it was due to open yesterday in conjunction with the re-opening of the Settle & Carlisle line.
http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/l...rival-7cb3da84-a2e9-46c4-9f39-3ce2d2e289c4-ds

 

[djpontrack]

I can recommend the Snug micropub on Carnforth station and also the Little Bare micropub that has just opened a few minutes walk from Bare Lane station. They both have limited opening hours but PM me if you want any info.

 

[Bromley boy]

The Station Hotel at Hither Green is worth a visit.

A good range of lagers and cask ales and a massive beer garden for if the weather is nice.

Food is pretty good, although I've become such a burger snob that it's difficult for me to find a satisfyingly one!

 

[theblackwatch]

The Draughtsman Alehouse on Platform 3 at Doncaster has been "opening soon" for 3 months now !

A quick peek suggests it might actually open in April.

A reply in response to a question regarding opening on their Facebook page yesterday said " a couple of weeks we think, it would be nice to be open for Easter." If they do manage to open in time, the pub will feature in our Easter Pub Crawl which is on the Bank Holiday Monday (April 17th), details can be found at http://www.railforums.co.uk/showthread.php?t=143051

 

[PeterC]

The Paddington and reading pubs are fuller's meaning over priced southern pop

Of course southern beer is more expensive, southern landlords actually give you a full pint.

 

[PR1Berske]

Of course southern beer is more expensive, southern landlords actually give you a full pint.

Not trying to move this thread into General Discussion, but......I expect a head on my pint, as any true Northerner would. Anything else is weird....!

 

[Cheshire Rover]

Helsby has a tap room called Beer Heroes in the old waiting room on platform 1.
http://www.beerheroes.com/

 

[theblackwatch]

Not trying to move this thread into General Discussion, but......I expect a head on my pint, as any true Northerner would. Anything else is weird....!

Agree, and you still get a full pint, as the head is above the line!

 

[graham11]

Not sure why a head is important. It`s only a load of gas caused by the pumping mechanism.

Remember when real cask beer was tapped into an enamel jug and poured into the glass, it only had a few bubbles not a head.

If there is a head then the gas has been knocked out of the beer making it flatter.

 

[ANorthernGuard]

Oh yes oh yes

Agreed...and it is only a 10 min walk for me

 

[gazr]

Nice little pub on Manningtree station. Huge Spoons on Lime Street station.

 

[xotGD]

No. 2 Refreshment Room on Cleethorpes station. Was good when I visited - almost 30 years ago!

 

[michael74]

Does anyone know of a website that collates this thread, I can't believe one does not exist, although I would not envy the webmasters job.... there are one or two books https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/0857041738/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_srt?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

 

[GusB]

Does anyone know of a website that collates this thread, I can't believe one does not exist, although I would not envy the webmasters job.... there are one or two books https://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/0857041738/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_viewopt_srt?ie=UTF8&reviewerType=all_reviews&showViewpoints=1&sortBy=recent&pageNumber=1

If you wanted to put together a list of railway pubs and publish it on the web, it wouldn't be too difficult. One of the blogging platforms such as Blogger, Wordpress etc. could be used, and there's very little technical knowledge required.

The most difficult part would be doing the research* rather than putting together the site.

* Awful job, but someone has to do it

 

[satisnek]

Don't forget the King & Castle at Kidderminster (in the SVR station which is of course just across the forecourt from the NR station). If you've heard negative reports about this, please bear in mind that there was a change of management last year and it's different now.

In the immediate vicinity I would recommend the Weavers (halfway down the hill towards the ring road), best described as a larger micropub. The Railway Bell is a Marston's TV sports bar. The Station (in Farfield, kind of 'behind' the NR station) seems to be highly rated for its beer and food but also has multiple TV screens (a pet hate of mine!).

And if we're including heritage railways then there is of course the superlative Railwayman's Arms up the other end.

 

[Bookd]

In the vicinity of a station my call for a nightcap is the Waterloo Tap (same ownership as the Euston Tap) which is under the railway arch between Waterloo and the Festival Hall. Usually 5 real ales from.unusual independent breweries at a low price for the area as well as numerous craft beers and ciders.

 

[michael74]

If you wanted to put together a list of railway pubs and publish it on the web, it wouldn't be too difficult. One of the blogging platforms such as Blogger, Wordpress etc. could be used, and there's very little technical knowledge required.

The most difficult part would be doing the research* rather than putting together the site.

* Awful job, but someone has to do it

I can imagine the conversation now: To Mrs michael74, darling, I would like to spend my spare time and annual leave travelling the country visiting railway pubs and creating a website.... But of course Mr michael74 that is absolutely fine by me....

 

[Mutant Lemming]

you are the only person i have ever encountered who has criticised the beer or service at Stalybridge!

The beer was okay but I have criticised it on here before - a victim of it's own hype worth steering clear of.

As for platform borne pubs I passed by two today at Codsall and Albrighton

 

[DarloRich]

It's worth mentioning here that pubs at St Pancras and Kings Cross also sell bitter at vastly inflated prices. That said I'm not really sure how you can describe Fullers offerings as being "pop".

Oh I know. But at least they point in the right direction and have a choice of overpriced ales!

Fullers is horrible. The archetypal bland southern ale with no taste or flavour and little body. London Pride was, in the past, a really decent pint and very drinkable. It isnt now it has gone for local/regional to national.

Obviously that is all personal taste but I wont be wrong

 

[DarloRich]

The beer was okay but I have criticised it on here before - a victim of it's own hype worth steering clear of.

As for platform borne pubs I passed by two today at Codsall and Albrighton

I honestly disagree certainly about the beer. I have always had a good quality pint. I might not always like the taste of the beer but the production of the pint is faultless. However what is a problem is the size. There I will agree it is a victim of its success.

 

[Old Hill Bank]

Don't forget the King & Castle at Kidderminster (in the SVR station which is of course just across the forecourt from the NR station). If you've heard negative reports about this, please bear in mind that there was a change of management last year and it's different now.

In the immediate vicinity I would recommend the Weavers (halfway down the hill towards the ring road), best described as a larger micropub. The Railway Bell is a Marston's TV sports bar. The Station (in Farfield, kind of 'behind' the NR station) seems to be highly rated for its beer and food but also has multiple TV screens (a pet hate of mine!).

And if we're including heritage railways then there is of course the superlative Railwayman's Arms up the other end.

On the same route consider The Tap House aka The Old Ticket Office on Hartlebury station.

 

[lincolnshire]

A new pub to open in the old refreshment room ( near toilets ) on Platform 3 north end of Doncaster Station soon, thinks its to be called Draughtsman Arms.

Its going to be a small pub as not a very large area inside.

May have already been posted on here already.