Using the hourly stopping train service between Stalybridge to Huddersfield (which starts at Manchester Victoria), then carrying on from Hudds on a train 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 walking 2 mins across the road.

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 on a Friday or a 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 Mon -Thur (opens midday on Fri). 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 Railway at Greenfield in the early part of the week either. As of December 2008 trains run hourly on a Sunday too [previously they were only every 2 hrs], but the last ones are around 2100 and may be disrupted by engineering work.     * All details correct to the best of my knowledge at December 2008.

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. Leave the station and you cant miss it, it's literally across the road. 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 not walking more than 2 mins from the platform you'll find the Railway right outside. It was closed for a time in 2007, reopened, but is for let again. It's a Marston's pub done out in a modern style and has several handpumps which on my last visit included a couple of good guest ales, it also sells food. But I'd strongly recommend cheating slightly (though only 3 mins walk from the station, you could run it in 2! ) 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 been the addition of an upstairs retaurant 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 magnificent 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 from Marsden.

Back on track though, return to the train at Marsden station. The next stop is SLAITHWAITE but no pubs here meet the strict criteria of this crawl by being on or next to the station. However if you want to get off for a pint then there are two decent ale pubs around 5 mins walk away so you can fit in a visit to one of them between trains. These are the Swan (turn right heading away from the village - a locals pub with a guest ale or 2 and maybe the local Empire brew) or Wharfside (turn left and head down into the village, has Copper Dragon and York beers plus good food). Whether you've stayed on board or rejoined here then continuing east the train terminates at...

HUDDERSFIELD - where the station itself offers the choice of two pubs on the platform, either the Head of Steam or the Station Tavern. [now renamed the Kings Head] The Station/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 it's 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, the excellent Rat & Ratchet and The Grove aren't too far away and both have a big choice of beers, the Albert Hotel is an interesting building and normally has a few ales while less attractive but usually with some good ales too is the Wetherspoons Cherry Tree. But to complete the station pub crawl then head back over the platforms and board a train (ideally an express but check where it stops, otherwise use a stopping service to Leeds) 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. Food is served, not sure at what times though and I've not tried it.

And if after all that you can still remember where you live, it's time to head home!


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