15/03/25 – Sheffield to Retford Ale Trail (Worksop to Sheffield)

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Explore the Sheffield to Retford Rail Ale Trail

The Sheffield to Retford Rail Ale Trail is a beautiful train route that links some great spots, starting from either Sheffield or Retford. Notable stops along the way include The Mallard, a unique pub at Worksop Station that encourages community interaction with its no-phones policy. Then there’s Ticking Clock Brew Co, a brewery that started in a garage by two friends, celebrating local industrial history. Kiveton Tap originally opened as a craft beer shop but has since evolved into a friendly micropub. The Oxbow, launched by a group of friends in 2020, provides a warm vibe and hosts food trucks regularly. Finally, The Sheffield Tap, a historic refreshment room, boasts on-site brewing and an extensive beer selection.

The Sheffield to Retford Rail Ale Trail follows a route that connects several key places all accessible by train. The journey begins at either Sheffield, known for its rich industrial heritage, particularly in steel production or Retford, known for its history as a market town. As you travel along the rail line, you encounter various micropubs, pubs and taprooms that have emerged as popular destinations for beer enthusiasts.

CLICK HERE to view the full Sheffield to Retford Rail Ale Trail

The Mallard

My first call of the day is to The Mallard, a wonderful independent spot at Worksop Station that boasts a cosy and unique vibe. It’s conveniently located on Platform One, making it a great stop for both travellers and locals. Originally, it served as a refreshment room for passengers when the station opened on July 7, 1849, thanks to the Manchester, Sheffield & Lincolnshire Railway, which was key in linking Sheffield to Lincoln via Retford. The station’s original design was by architect James Drabble, and it has seen several updates over the years.

Inside, the place is warm and welcoming, blending traditional architecture with modern comforts, creating a perfect atmosphere for customers to enjoy. They have a no-phones policy, which really helps foster conversation and a sense of community among customers.

At the bar, you’ll find a fantastic selection of four cask ales with various styles and strengths, plus a range of keg options, ciders, fruit wines, and more. They also host beer festivals, with the next one scheduled for the end of April, featuring beers in the downstairs bar.

I kicked things off with “Inferno” from Oakham Brewery in Peterborough. It’s a really light, refreshing, and tasty golden ale. Then, I switched to “Cobnut” from Kent Brewery in West Malling. This one’s a lovely red ruby ale that’s super enjoyable, with a nice nutty and hoppy flavour.

Ticking Clock Brew Co

The next call is just a short stroll from Shireoaks Station. Ticking Clock Brew Co was started by two buddies, Jamie and Ben, who both have a love for beer and music. Their adventure kicked off at a wedding where they realised they had a lot in common, sparking the idea to launch a brewery together.

What began as brewing in a garage has now turned into Ticking Clock Brew Co, situated in the Shireoaks Business Centre within a historic pit building that used to support the local mining scene. This old structure gives the brewery a unique vibe and serves as a nod to the area’s industrial heritage. Their taproom just opened in December 2024 and is quickly becoming a hit with both locals and visitors. The inside features a great layout with seating right as you walk in, and the bar is slightly elevated with the brewery setup to your right. Jamie and Lucy gave a warm welcome today, and it was nice chatting with them and other patrons, including Jason.

The bar has a lineup of 10 keg beers, 3 cask options, and a range of cans and bottles to pick from. I kicked things off with their latest brew, “Evening Sun,” which is an amazing, juicy hazy pale ale featuring Nectaron, Amarillo, and Citra hops. Next up was “Inside the Wire” from Bayonet Brewing in Northallerton, a wonderfully smooth hazy pale ale bursting with flavour.

Kiveton Tap

I’m back on the train, this time heading to Kiveton Bridge. A quick 5-minute stroll takes me to Kiveton Tap. It started out as a craft beer bottle shop in March 2024 and then became a micropub in June 2024 after getting the green light from planning. The place used to be a shop that had seen a variety of businesses, like a shoe repair shop and a café, until December 2023.

The pub has a cosy and inviting vibe, which is typical for micropubs. The way the tables are set up around the bar makes it easy to grab a drink and creates a friendly atmosphere. This layout really helps in making it a great spot for people to chat and enjoy each other’s company.

I had a fantastic time chatting with Mark, the owner, and a few other customers. The bar offers a choice of 6 keg beers, plus a wide selection of cans and bottles lined up on the shelves and in the fridges at the back. chose “Steal Away” from Track Brewing Company, which is based in Manchester. This hazy pale ale is incredibly tasty and has some amazing flavours that really stand out.

The Oxbow

I hopped back on the train and got off at Woodhouse. Just a quick 5-minute stroll later, I arrived at The Oxbow. This place opened in January 2020, started by a bunch of friends who always dreamed of owning a pub. It’s located in what used to be a kitchen showroom, and they’ve done an amazing job turning it into a community hangout.

The inside of The Oxbow is really nicely decorated, giving off a warm and cosy vibe. The thoughtful design makes it super inviting. There’s plenty of comfy seating for both small groups and larger crowds, plus an outdoor area at the front that adds even more space.

At the bar, they have a selection of 3 cask ales (today featuring a Nightjar Tap Takeover) and 7 keg lines. I had a great chat with Angela during my visit. Don’t miss out on their regular food trucks, including Fiery Dough pizza, J’s Chicken, and Argy Bhaji. I went with “Dr Dray” from Nightjar Brew Co, hailing from Mytholmroyd. It’s a fantastic blonde ale that’s perfectly balanced, packed with flavour, and super easy to enjoy.

The Sheffield Tap

Last call was to The Sheffield Tap. The building itself dates back to 1904 and was originally a fancy refreshment room for folks traveling through Sheffield Midland Station. Designed by Charles Trubshaw, who worked with the Midland Railway, this Edwardian gem boasts beautiful Minton-tiled walls, a stylish terrazzo floor, and elegant bar fittings that were meant for the well-to-do travellers. It served as a dining spot for first-class passengers until the mid-1960s when it was turned into a waiting room by British Rail.

In 2008, a major restoration project kicked off, thanks to funding from private investors and grants from the Railway Heritage Trust. The aim was to bring the interior back to its original splendour while keeping its historical charm intact. This meant fixing up original elements whenever possible and recreating those that were too damaged. After two years of hard work, the Sheffield Tap proudly reopened its doors in 2010.

In January 2013, a major upgrade took place when the old first-class dining room was revamped into an extension of the pub, complete with an on-site microbrewery called Tapped Brew Co. This setup enabled fresh beer to be brewed right on the spot, giving customers a unique experience with live brewing demos visible through glass panels.

As usual, there’s a massive selection of both cask and keg beers, plus an even wider variety of cans and bottles to pick from. There’s definitely something for everyone!