Using the hourly stopping train service between Stalybridge to Huddersfield (which starts at Manchester Victoria), then carrying on from Hudds on a train to Dewsbury it's 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 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 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.  Note on Sundays there is still an hourly service, but it stops around 2100 and at certain times of year is replaced by a bus or otherwise disrupted by engineering works. As far as I know all pubs on the main crawl are open all day every day except the Britannia which opens mid afternoon Mon-Weds. To be sure I suggest you check see the pubs' own websites which are given where known.

One other point: in the 6 years since I first devised and did this trip I've noticed a huge increase in people in these pubs who are obviously doing the 'crawl'. Whether due to my site, the 'official' Rail Trail or people discovering it for themselves I dont know, probably a mix of all 3. The downside is the pubs and train service can be extremely busy with large and sometimes unruly groups on Saturdays from midday to mid afternoon, so I'd avoid those times. And please respect the pub regulars and non drinking train passengers. I intended this to be an enjoyable day out for those who enjoy proper ale and good pubs, not for large groups who just want to get p*ssed and act like arrogant pricks. If you are that sort of person I suggest you grow up or feck off elsewhere and dont spoil things for everyone else. Cheers.

* All details correct to the best of my knowledge at July 2011.

Below is the plan heading west to east...

STALYBRIDGE - Station Buffet. [website] 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 cheap simple food is served though later in the day it can depend on what is left and how busy it is. As your train pulls in sup up and in seconds you are on board and heading to the next stop…

MOSSLEY - Britannia. [website] 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 guests which vary in rarity but there's always something interesting and often include small local breweries eg Millstone. 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 (but note 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, [website] 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 [website] and the Kings Head [website, 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. [website] 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


PHOTOS (move yer mouse over pictures for details)

BACK TO PUB INDEX
TOP OF PAGE