Using the hourly stopping train service between Stalybridge to Huddersfield (which starts at Manchester Victoria), then carrying on from Hudds on a train just down the line to Dewsbury it is possible to do what is perhaps a unique pub crawl visiting at least 7 pubs and enjoying a different pint in each from independent and small breweries all without leaving the station or at most just walking across the road. If you're prepared to walk an extra couple of minutes - so still time for a pint between trains - you can find some more excellent pubs too.

With an hour between trains there is plenty of time for a relaxing pint at each location or a quick couple if you're thirsty and a chance for food at some of the pubs. It only takes 5-10 mins between each stop with fine scenery to view along the way, no time wasted in walking and a guarantee of a different brew in each I dont imagine there's a better real ale railway pub crawl in the country. To check train times try the National Rail Enquiries site.

The trip is best done at the weekend when all pubs are open all day, though most of them also open all day during the rest of the week too. The only definite exception is the Britannia which currently only opens at 3pm in the week. The Riverhead used to open at 5pm but now opens at midday every day I think (certainly does from Weds onwards). I'm not certain about the Swan or Commercial at Slaithwaite. On a Sunday the trains are also hourly but the last ones are around 2100 and may be disrupted by engineering work.     * All details correct to the best of my knowledge at June 2010.

Below is the plan heading west to east...

STALYBRIDGE - Station Buffet. Unique and famous Victorian buffet bar on the platform with plenty of excellent ales on offer, often including some from local breweries such as Greenfield, Millstone or Howard Town plus various other micro brews. Cosy traditional surroundings, a real fire when chilly and food is served though later in the day it can depend on what is left and how busy it is. Meals are simple and cheap, eg sausage and mash, pies, corn beef etc. As your train pulls in sup up and in seconds you are on board and heading to the next stop…

MOSSLEY - Britannia. Leave the station, cross the road, turn left and you're at the bar in a minute. A large comfortable stone pub with TV football, pool table and 6 real ales with regular Marstons / Jennings plus changing guests which vary in rarity but there's always something interesting and they often include small local breweries. Good value home made food until 7.30 - if starting the crawl in the morning this is the best place for lunch. Or there's a chippy next to the station but opening hours are limited. Once refreshed then get the next train to...

GREENFIELD - Railway. you cant miss it, it's literally across the road from the station. A traditional lively local with 3 different rooms, pool table, jukebox and sells several beers including Cally IPA, Copper Dragon, often something from Mossley's Millstone Brewery and one or two guests. Football sometimes on TV or if here in an evening then there's regular live music. Now it's time to venture into Yorkshire (though many Saddleworth residents would claim Greenfield is still in Yorkshire as it was up to 1974)...

MARSDEN- First stop once through the tunnel. Sticking to the rules of only going to pubs on or next to the station you'll find the Railway right outside. It's a Marston's pub done out in a modern style and has several handpumps including Jennings/Marstons and guests, it also sells food. But I strongly suggest cheating slightly (though only 3 mins walk so plenty of time for a pint between trains) and going to the excellent Riverhead instead. Head downhill, cross the river and you'll see it. In 2007 it underwent a few changes including coming under the ownership of the Ossett brewery so it now sells several of their beers along with those from the Riverhead's own brewery. There's also an upstairs restaurant but you wont have time for that! It's a comfortable and friendly place with benches outside next to the river if sunny. If hungry, there's a good chippy in Marsden.

Deviating from the plan here, an alternative is to abandon the train and take a Huddersfield bound bus from Marsden down the A62 to LINTHWAITE. Get off at the junction with Hoyle Ing Rd then a stiff walk up hill brings you to the wonderful Sair Inn (on weekdays it's only open evenings). It brews its own Linffit ales and is a classic little multi roomed no nonsense drinkers pub. After a pint, walk back down to the A62 for a bus on to Huddersfield and continue the crawl as below. You can also reach Linthwaite via a bus or longer walk from Slaithwaite, the next stop on the railway line.

Back on track though, return to the train at Marsden station. The next stop is:
SLAITHWAITE where no pubs meet the strict criteria of being on or next to the station. But in the hour between trains there's time to visit one of two highly recommended pubs both under 5 mins walk from the station (though sadly they're in opposite directions!). The Swan (turn right out of the station and follow the road down and round) is a traditional locals pub with guest ales. Or heading left down into the village is the Commercial, recently refurbished and with a big choice of ales many from small Yorkshire brewers. Both pubs usually have something from Slaithwaite's own Empire brewery.
So it's well worth getting off for a pint, then an hour later rejoin the train which then terminates at...

HUDDERSFIELD - where the station offers the choice of two pubs on the platform, the Head of Steam and the Kings Head [formerly the Station Tavern]. The Kings sells a vast range of great beer always including a good selection from Yorkshire, though it is a rather sparse and careworn place with its one large bare room (there are also a couple of little side rooms). It is more lively when live music events are held and is certainly worth visiting to try some new beer. The Head of Steam is a more comfortable pub with several rooms including a dining area - does good food until mid evening - lots of railway memorabilia and several ales including changing guests from interesting breweries.

Now you could end the day in Huddersfield. Just a short walk from the station (turn left) is the Sportsman, newly refurbished and with plenty of local and unusal ales, while a little further away are the Rat & Ratchet and The Grove - both excellent places with a huge choice of beer. But to complete the station pub crawl then head back over the platforms and board a Leeds bound train (but check where it stops!) and get off at...

DEWSBURY - for the West Riding Refreshment Rooms. Another pub right on the station platform with a long bar room selling plenty of different beers including various from Taylors and the Anglo Dutch brewery based in the town, there's also a couple of rooms at each end including a real fire and jukebox. Food is served too

This is 'my' pub crawl, but there's also now the Trans Pennine Real Ale Rail Trail which includes several of the pubs above plus a few others. If you have a really strong constitution and enough time you may be able to combine them both!

One which fits in well with 'my' crawl is (or was - as of summer 2010 it is closed - check their website to see if it still is)
BATLEY - one stop on from Dewsbury, where just across the road from the station is the Cellar Bar. Down a few steps in an impressive stone building you'll find a dimly lit bar with stone floor, bare walls, pool table, football on TV and a small choice of interesting ales. A nice atmosphere and well worth a visit



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