Transpennine Real Ale Trail
The Transpennine Real Ale Trail follows the railway from Stalybridge across the Pennines into West Yorkshire, linking eight real ale pubs close to stations along the route. The trail runs through Greenfield, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Mirfield and Dewsbury before finishing at Batley, with a mixture of historic station pubs, traditional ale houses and brewery taps along the way.
At a glance: 8 pubs • Stalybridge → Batley • All stops by train • Starts at Stalybridge Buffet Bar • Stops at Greenfield, Marsden, Slaithwaite, Huddersfield, Mirfield and Dewsbury • Finishes at The Cellar Bar
Opening times, beer availability and train services can change, so please check before travelling.
1. Stalybridge Buffet Bar
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Stalybridge Buffet Bar dates from the station’s 1885 reconstruction and is one of the few surviving Victorian station buffet bars in England. Much of its character has been kept through later refurbishments, with the conservatory added afterwards. Inside, the pub is spread across four rooms and packed with railway and local history, including old signs, mirrors, photographs and memorabilia covering the walls. The traditional fittings and marble-topped bar add to the historic look, making it feel part pub and part railway museum, and a fitting place to begin the trail.
Address: Platform 4, Stalybridge Railway Station, Rassbottom Street, Stalybridge, SK15 1RF
Opening: Mon 11:00–22:00; Tue–Thu 11:00–23:00; Fri–Sat 11:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–22:30
Beer: A large changing cask range alongside craft beer and real cider.
Next stop: Greenfield – Railway Inn
2. Railway Inn, Greenfield
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The Railway Inn sits directly opposite Greenfield station, making it an easy second stop on the trail. Inside, the traditional pub is arranged around a central bar with plenty of seating and a relaxed, straightforward look. One of its best features is the beer garden, reached just up the road from the pub. From here there are wide views across Greenfield towards the surrounding countryside and hills, giving this stop a very different setting from the station bars elsewhere on the route. A good choice of changing cask ales completes this popular Transpennine stop.
Address: 11 Shaw Hall Bank Road, Greenfield, OL3 7JZ
Opening: Mon–Wed 12:00–00:30; Thu–Sat 12:00–01:00; Sun 12:00–00:30
Beer: One regular and four changing cask ales, with breweries such as Ossett, Thornbridge and Timothy Taylor appearing regularly.
Next stop: Marsden – Riverhead Brewery Tap
3. Riverhead Brewery Tap
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Riverhead Brewery Tap sits beside the River Colne in the centre of Marsden and has been a brewpub since 1995. The on-site brewery is visible from the bar, with Riverhead beers joined by Ossett and changing guest ales. Inside, it has a relaxed pub look with plenty of pale wood and seating spread around the bar, while the riverside terrace is one of its best features. Sitting outside beside the river and weir gives the stop a lovely setting, with the “Marsden’s Canals 2002” sculpture also nearby.
Address: 2 Peel Street, Marsden, HD7 6BR
Opening: Mon–Thu 12:00–23:00; Fri 12:00–00:00; Sat 11:00–00:00; Sun 12:00–23:00
Beer: Riverhead and Ossett cask ales, changing guest beers and craft beer, with brewing taking place on site.
Next stop: Slaithwaite – The Commercial
4. The Commercial
The Commercial is a short walk downhill from Slaithwaite station in the centre of the village, locally pronounced “Slawit”. It is a traditional real ale stop with a strong focus on cask beer, including local Empire Brewery ales alongside changing guests from Yorkshire and further afield. Inside, the pub has several seating areas around the main bar, keeping a relaxed local feel even when the trail is busy. Traditional cider is also usually available, while warm pork pies and pork scratchings have long been a popular extra here. It remains one of the best-known stops on the route.
Address: 1 Carr Lane, Slaithwaite, HD7 5AN
Opening: Mon–Thu 12:00–00:00; Fri–Sat 12:00–01:00; Sun 12:00–00:00
Beer: A strong cask range including local Empire beers and changing guest ales, plus traditional cider.
Next stop: Huddersfield – The King’s Head
5. The King’s Head
The King’s Head sits within Huddersfield’s Grade I listed railway station and is one of the two station pubs often known as the “Real Ale Bookends”. Its impressive stone frontage opens into a spacious traditional pub, with tiled floors, dark wood, old fireplaces and plenty of railway-station character. The bar has long been known for a large cask range, mixing Yorkshire and Manchester breweries with changing beers from further afield. With the platforms only a few steps away, it is one of the easiest stops on the trail and a particularly good example of a proper railway pub.
Address: St George’s Square, Huddersfield, HD1 1JF
Opening: Mon–Sat 11:30–23:00; Sun 12:00–21:30
Beer: Eleven cask lines with regular Yorkshire beers alongside a frequently changing selection.
Next stop: Mirfield – The Navigation Tavern
6. The Navigation Tavern
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The Navigation Tavern is a short walk from Mirfield station and sits beside the Calder & Hebble Navigation. The pub has a relaxed traditional look, with different seating areas around the bar and a warm, comfortable feel. Its canalside setting is the main attraction, with the large beer garden sitting beside the water away from the pub itself. There is plenty of outdoor seating and views along the canal, making it a particularly good stop in warmer weather. The bar carries a mixture of regular and changing cask ales alongside other draught choices.
Address: 6 Station Road, Mirfield, WF14 8NL
Opening: Mon–Sat 11:30–23:00; Sun 12:00–23:00
Beer: A mix of regular and changing cask ales alongside craft beer.
Next stop: Dewsbury – The West Riding
7. The West Riding
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The West Riding Refreshment Rooms opened in 1994 inside the former waiting rooms of Dewsbury’s Grade II listed railway station. Inside, the old station layout gives it plenty of character, with dark wood, railway details and a traditional refreshment-room feel. The bar is known for a large rotating cask range alongside real cider and craft beer, and it can become particularly busy when groups are following the trail. Being right on the station makes it one of the easiest stops of the day, with trains only a few steps from the door before continuing towards Batley.
Address: Dewsbury Railway Station, Wellington Road, Dewsbury, WF13 1HF
Opening: Mon 11:00–23:00; Tue–Thu 10:00–23:00; Fri–Sat 10:00–00:00; Sun 10:00–23:00
Beer: A large rotating real ale range, with regular and guest cask beers and real cider.
Next stop: Batley – The Cellar Bar
8. The Cellar Bar
The Cellar Bar sits directly opposite Batley station in the basement of a Grade II listed former mill building. The ornate stone exterior leads down into a cosy bar with exposed brick and stone, comfortable seating and a warm traditional look. It has long been part of the Transpennine Real Ale Trail, serving regular and changing cask ales alongside real cider. The unusual basement setting gives it plenty of character and makes it very different from the other stops on the route. With Batley station just across the road, it is an easy place to finish before heading home.
Address: 51 Station Road, Batley, WF17 5SU
Opening: Mon–Wed 16:00–22:00; Thu 16:00–22:30; Fri 12:00–23:00; Sat 11:00–00:00; Sun 13:00–22:00
Beer: Regular and changing cask ales alongside real cider.
Getting back
The Cellar Bar is directly opposite Batley railway station, making it easy to continue your journey after the final stop. Check current rail times and any engineering work before travelling.
Last updated: September 2026
