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Group trip with the local Pub on the Transpennine Real Ale Trail, which is a great day out starting from Stalybridge and working back to Dewsbury, with a pub at most stations on the way back (most of which are a few minutes walk from the station).
Stalybridge Buffet Bar
This is one of the original Victorian Station Buffet bars in England (only a few still survive), the buildings were part of the train stations reconstruction in 1885, and has been refurbished several times but keeping lots of its original features (the conservatory is an addition). Has also won a Railway Heritage Award in 1997, and a plaque detailing the replica “Stalybridge Station Clock” also in 1997.
Inside the bar itself is a host of railway and historic memorabilia coverings all of the walls around the bar, and in all the small rooms (the bar is made up of 4 separate rooms)
The bar has 10 Cask Lines and 8 Keg Lines, serving a wide range of different styles of beer and cider, ranging from local to further afield breweries. I sampled the “North Riding – Mosaic”, “Rooster – Roots-Rock-Reggae” and a Keg sour beer “Brass Castle – Muddle”.
The Railway Inn
After getting off the train at Greenfield Station, The Railway Inn is literally over the road. A pub with a great central bar. Had 4 beers on here, Gorlovka Stout and Barnsley Gold from Acorn Brewery, Bitter & Twisted from Harviestoun Brewery and Tiger Rut from Millstone Brewery.
The view from the beer garden (situated just up the road from the pub), gives some spectacular views over Greenfield Town and the local countryside and hills.
Riverhead Brewery Tap
Onto Marsden next, and a nice steady walk down into town from the railway station where Riverhead Brewery Tap is located (home to Riverhead Brewery – owned by Ossett Brewery).
A great selection of ales on here, including 5 from their own Riverhead Brewery, 2 from Ossett Brewery and 2 Guests. Also serves SALT Keg beers and a range of traditional ciders. Decided to go for March Haigh and Happy Valley (Amber and a Pale).
Some spectacular views sitting outside here overlooking the River Colne and the sound of the weir right next to you. There is also a sculpture designed in 2002 by Mick Kirkby-Geddes showing “Marsden’s Canals 2002”.
The Commercial
Another quick walk down from the train station, this time at Slaithwaite commonly pronounced by locals as “Slawit”. The Commercial serves 8 Cask Ales and a Hand Pull Cider, aswell as some gorgeous local hot pork pies, and warm pork crackling.
The beer selection ranged from local Empire Brewery, and included other Yorkshire breweries including Abbeydale, Bradfield, Stancil and Small World, and Manchester brewery First Chop. I opted for the “Small World – Port Nelson”, a delicious New Zealand Pale Ale.
Hideaway Craft House
Literally next door to The Commercial is a small craft beer bar called “Hideaway Craft House”. This bar has 12 Keg Lines and serves a wide range of styles from Pales, Sours, Stouts, Lagers and more. I went with the “Assembly Brew Co – Unforgiven Sounds”, a brewery from Stockport and the beer itself made up from Cherries, Blueberries and Sea Salt.
King’s Head
Huddersfield station has 2 pubs both serving a great range of real ales, known as the “Real Ale Bookends”. First we went into the Kings Head. Beautiful front to the pub, the station itself being a listed building.
11 Cask Ale lines on here, with near all being from Yorkshire or Manchester breweries. The pump clip on “Minster Men Pride” by Brew York stood out on the bar, it turned out to be a good choice.
The Head of Steam
Owned by Camerons Brewery (Hartlepool), this pub is the opposite side of the station to the King’s Head. It comprises of 4 rooms/quarters around a central bar. On entering the left is the Keg/Draught bar and to the right is cask and cider, having 10 hand pull lines on.
An interesting competition for February in the cask room was a tally between Magic Rock and Vocation breweries for who sold the most casks during February (it was quite close). Went for the Wishbone – Blonde in here. I’ve had a number of Wishbone beers before and they’ve always been really good, this one didn’t disappoint.
Navigation Tavern
Onto Mirfield Station next, a quick journey from Huddersfield. The Navigation Tavern is a canalside pub (the beer garden sits on the side of the canal with the pub across the car park). The England vs Wales Six Nations game was on in here when we arrived so was pretty full inside.
A great range of beers on both sides of the bar (and coming soon). Magic Rock, Mallinsons and Theakstons featured on this visit with Great Newsome, Wensleydale and Twisted Wheel all coming soon. Couldn’t decide here so went with 2 new beers – Theakstons – XB (Ruby Ale) and Mallinsons – Galaxy (Citrus Pale).
West Riding Refreshment Rooms
Situated in a Grade II Listed Station, the West Riding Refreshment Rooms serves 9 Cask beers, 1 Cider and a number of Keg Craft Beers. This one is always very busy when doing the Real Ale Trail and it being our last call of the day. Noticed a beer from a brewery id not seen before on the bar – Riwaka by Darkland Indie Brew Co (Halifax). Turned out to be a very good choice. Not much room for photos in here with the pub being so full and small inside.
The Griffin
Thankyou to everyone from The Griffin Inn, Castleford for the brilliant day out and lots of good laughs during the day. If you want to check out their Facebook site please Click Here.
Below are a couple of group photos taken at Greenfield – Railway Inn, and at Marsden – Riverhead Brewery Tap.
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