Stations with GOOD real ale bars?

[Bullfield WEst]

I read somewhere that the Prince of Wales was to open just before Christmas this year. Alas, there doesn't seem to be any news at the moment, but the scaffolding has been removed from the roof works.

 

[cjw714]

A short walk from Exeter St David's is The Imperial, a wonderful Wetherspoons, which I'm assuming was a hotel at some point. One of the main bar areas has arched cast iron frames with a huge window. It's really cool, massive garden there too.

The Imperial did indeed used to be a hotel and is a fantastic building in a fantastic location and a great place to break a long journey to the south-west. There's also the Exeter Brewery Taproom just down the road, although neither are super-close to St David's.

 

[cjw714]

The Beer Engine, Newton St Cyres (a recent venue of a forum meal)

The Beer Engine is the most well-known but quite a few of the other Tarka Line stations are also conveniently located for pubs.

 

[Sultan1056]

The Platform Bar at Hexham serves real ale. Closed Sundays.

 

[yorksrob]

Dive heavily into those 6% beers, and you may see some EPBs, SUBs and CORs too

I guess it's worth a try

 

[NorthWestRover]

Definitely agree on Wigan - I think the one over the road is the Swan and Railway? From what I can remember (admittedly slightly hazy) the interior was absolutely stunning, and the beer pretty decent too.

It is the Swan and Railway indeed. I never get beyond the Draught Bass as it's so good.

 

[davetheguard]

The Beer Engine, Newton St Cyres (a recent venue of a forum meal)

Beat me to it!

 

[davetheguard]

A short walk from Exeter St David's is The Imperial, a wonderful Wetherspoons, which I'm assuming was a hotel at some point. One of the main bar areas has arched cast iron frames with a huge window. It's really cool, massive garden there too.

Local CAMRA branch (Exeter & East Devon) Pub of the Year.

 

[Spamcan81]

The Old Ticket Office at Cambridge. Part of the station building but no access from the platform. There is a serving hatch that opens onto the platform but I’ve only bought coffee via it. Not sure if they serve beer through it. Is the micro pub in Whitby station still going?

 

[Bradford PA]

The Victoria at Beeston station doesn't seem to have been mentioned yet.

 

[TheSel]

Hartlepool has the Rat Race micro-pub, or at least it did the last time I was there. There is a pub on the station at Knaresborough though I haven't been in. Harrogate Tap at Harrogate, Sheffield Tap at Sheffield.

Not sure if you would be on the Tyne and Wear metro but there are some station pubs there, including at Tynemouth and Monkseaton.

Definately recommend 'Track and Sleeper' - the pub on Knaresborough (York bound) platform to which @wilsontown refers. And you get a 'Railcard' discount (10% if I recall correctly) too by showing any* valid railcard.

* well, probably not the 16-17, or 16-25 if you're under 18!

Opening hours are:

Monday	Closed
Tuesday	2.00 pm - 11.00 pm
Wednesday	2.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Thursday	2.00 pm - 8.00 pm
Friday	2.00 pm - 11.00 pm
Saturday	Noon - 11.00 pm
Sunday	Noon - 8.00 pm

 

[Ashley Hill]

And you get a 'Railcard' discount (10% if I recall correctly) too by showing any* valid railcard.

75% with a Priv Card?

 

[duffield]

75% with a Priv Card?

And unlimited free beer with an all stations status pass?

 

[Harpo]

And unlimited free beer with an all stations status pass?

Free B&B for 'All stations and sleepers'?

 

[52290]

Pubs within a few minutes walk of stations in my part of Lancashire I would recommend for their real ale are ;
Preston - Old Vic (main exit)
Leyland - Golden Tap Ale House (main exit on
platform 1).
Chorley - Inn the Dog House, Shepherds Hall
(main exit platform 1) and Malt &
Hops (exit platform 2).
Adlington - Spinners Arms (known as the
bottom Spinners). Turn left out of
the station then turn right. If you
turn right out of the station all is not
lost. You will come to another
Spinners Arms, known as the top
Spinners! This also serves real ale.
And while we are at it, make sure you
are in Adlington (Lancs) and not
Adlington (Cheshire).

 

[realaledrinker]

Titanic Brewery’s “Bod” on Stoke-on-Trent platform 1.

 

[peteb]

Just literally round the corner from Kidderminster station, The Station Inn at Farfield does great food & drink. Go up to the road bridge from the platforms, turn right, 50yds, right again, 20 yds.

 

[Darandio]

The Waiting Room on the Down platform at Durham station isn't bad, but The Station House at the bottom of the station approach road is one of the best CAMRA rated pubs in the NE

Mark

Bit late to the thread but I completely agree. If you haven't got much time, The Waiting Room is more than acceptable. Got an hour or more to kill, take a walk down the hill.

 

[Bullfield WEst]

Well, a very pleasing response to my "drinking" query. Thanks for the interesting suggestions. This week I have spent a couple of days in Essex and can recommend 3 pubs within 100 yards of Chelmsford Station, they are The Railway Tavern, The Original Plough, and under the station arches, The Ale House.

 

[Russel]

The Station Buffet at Bridlington is closed.

Still think it's a shame about Bridlington buffet, it had a real old world charm to it.

 

[_toommm_]

Sadly the Prince of Wales at Foxfield has been temporarily closed for refurbishment for the last few years.

I spent a good three or four hours there one afternoon when our Class 37 on the Cumbrian Coast failed and blocked the line for a good six hours. It took that long to muster give taxis for us. Most of the enthusiasts went back north on the next 37, but I had to actually get back south. Decent bacon sarnie from memory.

 

[Bullfield WEst]

I spent a good three or four hours there one afternoon when our Class 37 on the Cumbrian Coast failed and blocked the line for a good six hours. It took that long to muster give taxis for us. Most of the enthusiasts went back north on the next 37, but I had to actually get back south. Decent bacon sarnie from memory.

And don't forget to take "cash"!

 

[yorksrob]

Cash is King.

 

[satisnek]

I've just been through this thread and I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned the West Riding at Dewsbury, where I stopped off at the other day. Unless any locals can highlight any issues with it, it looks a good'un to me and gets my vote. I can't recommend Stalybridge or the King & Castle Kidderminster because they both do this post-COVID early closing thing which grinds my gears!

 

[IanD]

this post-COVID early closing thing which grinds my gears!

Do you mean closing because they're not busy thus saving staff and other costs?

 

[Sultan1056]

The Waiting Room at Whitby is worth a visit. Opens 3pm each day.

 

[xotGD]

The Waiting Room at Whitby is worth a visit. Opens 3pm each day.

I remember the days when 3pm was closing time.

Very strange.

 

[Llandudno]

I've just been through this thread and I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned the West Riding at Dewsbury, where I stopped off at the other day. Unless any locals can highlight any issues with it, it looks a good'un to me and gets my vote. I can't recommend Stalybridge or the King & Castle Kidderminster because they both do this post-COVID early closing thing which grinds my gears!

The West Riding at Dewsbury Station is fantastic, I wouldn’t recommend venturing anywhere else outside Dewsbury station though…!

 

[duffield]

I've just been through this thread and I'm surprised that no-one has mentioned the West Riding at Dewsbury, where I stopped off at the other day. Unless any locals can highlight any issues with it, it looks a good'un to me and gets my vote. I can't recommend Stalybridge or the King & Castle Kidderminster because they both do this post-COVID early closing thing which grinds my gears!

The West Riding was great when I visited last December. Quoting my trip report:

Great trad pub, dark, warm, cosy little rooms, great bar and lighting. Music 3/3.
Cider: Cotswold Brewery - "She Devil" 4.3% Super fruity and delicious 4.5/5

Description of Photo below:Interior of "The West Riding" Pub situated in the west wing of Dewsbury station, showing the traditional style bar.

 

[satisnek]

Do you mean closing because they're not busy thus saving staff and other costs?

Perhaps, but I would replace "saving" with "cutting". All pubs are quiet late on weekday evenings, including Wetherspoons, as are convenience stores, whether Tesco Express or independent. The last trains on weekdays have very few passengers on them. It's necessary to strike a balance between maximising profit and providing a service. But my actual point is that I wouldn't have a problem with early closing if it was happening before 2021.

EDIT
I've just noticed that Dewsbury is mentioned in the OP. Where's that 'hold a pretend gun to your head and fire' smilie when you need it?