Station pubs (part two?)

[Howardh]

Bringing the thread back on topic, I've always found the beer prices at Stalybridge station buffet to be very reasonable....even though they - presumably - have to pay a fairly hefty rent to Network Rail.

Not just the beer prices, but a mug of tea as well, very reasonable!

 

[Travelmonkey]

The Wetherspoons in an ex-cinema the other side of the park outside the station is one of their best, I reckon. I couldn't believe it is about a decade since it was last done up...

there is also the Sun a short walk away too with good titanic beers (like at their cafe on the stoke platform)

 

[IanD]

Mind if I bring this thread backup? I’ve got a longish wait at Stafford in a week or two’s time. I believe there’s nothing beyond coffee, etc, on the station, which is a shame, but does anyone know a decent pub/ wine bar nearby? Or am I mistaken and does the catering include some form of bar. I normally don’t get behind the excellent Gourmet coffee unit for coffee and sausage rolls.

I recently visited all the real ale pubs in Stafford centre.

I'd also recommend The Bird in the Hand, it had a good choice of real ales and the food was reasonably priced and pretty good. As mentioned it is the nearest to the station only a couple of minutes walk.

The 'Spoons was impressive and The Sun definitely worth a visit but both are a bit further but not much.

Stafford is not a big town centre. It took me about 20 minutes to walk from the Star and Garter on the southern edge in Wolverhampton Road to The Greyhound on the Northern Edge near the prison.

 

[leightonbd]

Thanks all. So we have:

- The Bird in Hand across the park
- the Spoons (The Picture House), kind of right across the park, and follow the river
- the Sun, also a bit further beyond Spoons
- The Railway, turn left out of the station

I have about 90 mins at Stafford and will want to swing by a supermarket for train food also. I know Tesco isn’t far.

I’ll report back at the end of next week.

 

[yorksrob]

I recently visited all the real ale pubs in Stafford centre.

I'd also recommend The Bird in the Hand, it had a good choice of real ales and the food was reasonably priced and pretty good. As mentioned it is the nearest to the station only a couple of minutes walk.

The 'Spoons was impressive and The Sun definitely worth a visit but both are a bit further but not much.

Stafford is not a big town centre. It took me about 20 minutes to walk from the Star and Garter on the southern edge in Wolverhampton Road to The Greyhound on the Northern Edge near the prison.

Stafford is a lovely town centre for a few beers.

 

[Wolfie]

Stafford is a lovely town centre for a few beers.

Absolutely. I've been known to stop there on my way to Wolves home games.

The Butler's Bell, a former Spoons now owned by Davenport's and selling their beers, is at the other end of the main street from the Picture House.

 

[yorksrob]

Absolutely. I've been known to stop there on my way to Wolves home games.

The Butler's Bell, a former Spoons now owned by Davenport's and selling their beers, is at the other end of the main street from the Picture House.

I like the Swan Hotel.

 

[Jimini]

Someone recently posted this on t'other forum:

https://railspoons.co.uk/

Useful resource if you like a 'Spoons.

 

[AndrewE]

Someone recently posted this on t'other forum:

https://railspoons.co.uk/

Useful resource if you like a 'Spoons.

very good, thanks. Pity I can't sort it by distance: copying it into Open Office and sorting by distance insists on following "1 minute" by 10 and then by 100!

 

[enginedin]

Pity I can't sort it by distance

I'd take the minutes with a pinch of salt - some of them seem a bit out (smaller distances upto 100% of the time compared to Google Maps for both driving and walking, larger distances less so)

 

[AndrewE]

I'd take the minutes with a pinch of salt - some of them seem a bit out (smaller distances upto 100% of the time compared to Google Maps for both driving and walking, larger distances less so)

100% error on 5 or 10 minutes isn't a problem, and I would usually have a look at an online location - and a physical map before going anywhere anyway, so for me it's still quite a useful resource.

 

[Lloyds siding]

So, you ask which station pubs I've been to....(this could take a while)..:
Sefton Arms (across the road from Aintree station, formerly Aintree Sefton Arms)...now an Indian Restaurant (but has been closed for months..years)
Old Roan pub (next to Old Roan station), now vacant, and derelict, presumably awaiting demolition).
Blundellsands Hotel (next to Blundelllsands and Crosby station), now 'independent retirement apartments'.
You can see a theme developing here....
Hightown Hotel, now the Hightown Inn, (next to Hightown station)...had been closed for a good while, but now reopened!
The Railway (across from Waterloo station, Merseyside)...It is a very long time since I last went in...meanwhile it was closed for a while after its licence was removed, but now reopened (presumably under new management). The Alexandra Hotel is closer to the station, I've been in...once...clientele have changed in recent years however (don't see blood on the pavement these days).
Oriel Hotel (opposite Bootle Oriel Road station), closed for many years, now a sort of B&B.
St George's Tavern (next to Bootle Oriel Road station), closed/opened/closed/open on and off for a while (last time I went in it appeared to be run by a bunch of squatters..but my impression could be wrong of course,... obviously a lovely building at one time)...now a coffee bar.
The Railway, Seaforth (close to Seaforth station), closed for some time, but now reopened!
The Royal (next to Bank Hall station), was a lovely building, been closed for absolutely years, roof removed over 20 years ago to avoid paying rates or safety's sake.
Yates's wine lodge (opposite Moorfields station), been closed for years and years, in 2007 it was made into an art installation ('Turning the Place Over'), where a 26 tonne circular lump of the facade turned over for our delectation..now derelict.
The Railway, Formby (next to Formby station)...still there!
The years have not been kind to station pubs on Merseyrail!

 

[Llandudno]

So, you ask which station pubs I've been to....(this could take a while)..:
Sefton Arms (across the road from Aintree station, formerly Aintree Sefton Arms)...now an Indian Restaurant (but has been closed for months..years)
Old Roan pub (next to Old Roan station), now vacant, and derelict, presumably awaiting demolition).
Blundellsands Hotel (next to Blundelllsands and Crosby station), now 'independent retirement apartments'.
You can see a theme developing here....
Hightown Hotel, now the Hightown Inn, (next to Hightown station)...had been closed for a good while, but now reopened!
The Railway (across from Waterloo station, Merseyside)...It is a very long time since I last went in...meanwhile it was closed for a while after its licence was removed, but now reopened (presumably under new management). The Alexandra Hotel is closer to the station, I've been in...once...clientele have changed in recent years however (don't see blood on the pavement these days).
Oriel Hotel (opposite Bootle Oriel Road station), closed for many years, now a sort of B&B.
St George's Tavern (next to Bootle Oriel Road station), closed/opened/closed/open on and off for a while (last time I went in it appeared to be run by a bunch of squatters..but my impression could be wrong of course,... obviously a lovely building at one time)...now a coffee bar.
The Railway, Seaforth (close to Seaforth station), closed for some time, but now reopened!
The Royal (next to Bank Hall station), was a lovely building, been closed for absolutely years, roof removed over 20 years ago to avoid paying rates or safety's sake.
Yates's wine lodge (opposite Moorfields station), been closed for years and years, in 2007 it was made into an art installation ('Turning the Place Over'), where a 26 tonne circular lump of the facade turned over for our delectation..now derelict.
The Railway, Formby (next to Formby station)...still there!
The years have not been kind to station pubs on Merseyrail!

No shortage of thriving pubs/bars in Liverpool City Centre though….!

 

[Mikey C]

No shortage of thriving pubs/bars in Liverpool City Centre though….!

Indeed, the availability of good public transport in big cities makes it easy to visit pubs in the centre instead of using your local, which partially contributes to their decline...

 

[Haywain]

Indeed, the availability of good public transport in big cities makes it easy to visit pubs in the centre instead of using your local, which partially contributes to their decline...

I think it's simply footfall that's the difference in that case. And worth noting that a number of renowned pubs in Birmingham city centre have closed in the last month or so (Post Office Vaults, Tilt, Gunmakers, The Botanist and, in Digbeth, the Anchor).

 

[Llandudno]

I think it's simply footfall that's the difference in that case. And worth noting that a number of renowned pubs in Birmingham city centre have closed in the last month or so (Post Office Vaults, Tilt, Gunmakers, The Botanist and, in Digbeth, the Anchor).

The better pubs are somewhat spread out in Birmingham though and it’s a pretty grim place in my opinion to walk around trying to find them especially after dark.

The pubs in Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds are much closer together and easier to access from the station(s)

 

[TheSel]

The better pubs are somewhat spread out in Birmingham though and it’s a pretty grim place in my opinion to walk around trying to find them especially after dark.

The pubs in Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds are much closer together and easier to access from the station(s)

Whilst that is undeniably true in some respects, there are exceptions, including the ever-wonderful 'Jeweller's Arms' - 5 mins walk (for most) from Jewellery Quarter station, and 'The Weavers Ale House', 50 yards from Stourbridge Town station and bus station.

 

[Jimini]

A new winner (in a bad way) here: £8.30 for a pint of IPA at the Castle in Farringdon

 

[Haywain]

it’s a pretty grim place in my opinion to walk around trying to find them especially after dark

Birmingham city centre is no worse than Liverpool, and the better pubs are just as spread out in the other places you mentioned.

 

[Llandudno]

Whilst that is undeniably true in some respects, there are exceptions, including the ever-wonderful 'Jeweller's Arms' - 5 mins walk (for most) from Jewellery Quarter station, and 'The Weavers Ale House', 50 yards from Stourbridge Town station and bus station.

Indeed they are cracking pubs but not much good if you have only a couple of hours between intentionally breaking your journey and Stourbridge is nowhere near Birmingham!

 

[Llandudno]

Birmingham city centre is no worse than Liverpool, and the better pubs are just as spread out in the other places you mentioned.

Perhaps it’s just me, I am not a great fan of Birmingham….!

 

[TheSel]

Indeed they are cracking pubs but not much good if you have only a couple of hours between intentionally breaking your journey and Stourbridge is nowhere near Birmingham!

Do forgive me. I thought this thread was about [good] pubs near stations, rather than proximity to the second largest city in England. Mea culpa.

 

[Howardh]

How close to the station do they have to be?! I'm on my way to Salt and The Hop which are adjacentish to Leeds smaller southern entrance, there are a few in that area by the river/canal.

However right now I'm in the Postal Service pub, so the short way to Salt is though the station, but it's gated and not sure if you can tap in/out for no charge as I've no ticket!

Otherwise it's a longer walk round across a footbridge! Very pleasant walk though.

If I look like I'm running out of money then the Spoons actually on the station will come into play! Last resort though!!

A pedant could argue the Spoons isn't on the station, it's outside the gates?

 

[Wolfie]

Perhaps it’s just me, I am not a great fan of Birmingham….!

Interesting, whereas l quite like Brum but Manchester on the other hand....

I do originate from the broader West Midlands and did do my masters at Brum Uni though...

 

[Howardh]

Interesting, whereas l quite like Brum but Manchester on the other hand....

I do originate from the broader West Midlands and did do my masters at Brum Uni though...

Leeds is way better than Manchester (said by a Lanky) but for someone with severe grass/pollen allergy city breaks are my go-to in summer, hotels usually cheap and empty too! My hotel is being renovated as it's quiet!

Me and a sixties planner must be the only people who look at concrete and think it's gorgeous

As for station pubs in all three, don't think there's much around New St )please advise!) but the gay village is very close - as long as you leave by the nearest exit!

 

[Wolfie]

Leeds is way better than Manchester (said by a Lanky) but for someone with severe grass/pollen allergy city breaks are my go-to in summer, hotels usually cheap and empty too! My hotel is being renovated as it's quiet!

Me and a sixties planner must be the only people who look at concrete and think it's gorgeous

As for station pubs in all three, don't think there's much around New St )please advise!) but the gay village is very close - as long as you leave by the nearest exit!

There is a decent Spoons on Brum New Street (the London and Northwestern) and another (the Briar Rose), together with the Old Joint Stock (Fuller's) and The Wellington, nearby. Sadly, as others have said, some of the better other options have recently closed...

In my view none of them compare with the Great Western Wolvo though...

While l live in London my name on here gives a clue why l'm regularly up that way...

 

[Howardh]

There is a decent Spoons on Brum New Street (the London and Northwestern) and another (the Briar Rose), together with the Old Joint Stock (Fuller's) and The Wellington, nearby. Sadly, as others have said, some of the better other options have recently closed...

In my view none of them compare with the Great Western Wolvo though...

While l live in London my name on here gives a clue why l'm regularly up that way...

When I stay inilton Keynes for a longish break, it's possible with Avanti to pop to Brum for a night out and get the last train.

Might try that in September!

 

[Haywain]

There is a decent Spoons on Brum New Street (the London and Northwestern) and another (the Briar Rose), together with the Old Joint Stock (Fuller's) and The Wellington, nearby.

There’s also the Head of Steam and, on the other side of the station, Cherry Reds. I would also strongly suggest seeking out the Craven Arms, a tad further but worth the effort.

 

[Wolfie]

There’s also the Head of Steam and, on the other side of the station, Cherry Reds. I would also strongly suggest seeking out the Craven Arms, a tad further but worth the effort.

Never been to the Craven Arms but as a Salopian the name alone makes me determined to do so....

 

[Mikey C]

Not right on the station, but The Crown is a short walk away from Pewsey, and a nice community pub.