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Andy Ven
17-05-2010, 20:23
I did the famous Trans-Pennine Real Ale crawl on Friday, travelling from Manchester to Leeds. I thought that this would be the most appropriate forum to post a review. I have added comments against each individual pub I visited on Pubs Galore but I thought I’d add some practical advice.

Old Boots has already set up a version of the crawl on PG http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/crawl/viewcrawl.php?crawl=439

and there are similar versions described elsewhere on the internet:

Chester and South Clwyd CAMRA website message board http://csccamra.mesb.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=61
or
The official site http://www.realaletrail.net/


From Manchester Piccadilly we caught the train to Huddersfield stopping at:

Stalybridge – Station Buffet Bar
Greenfield – The Railway Inn
Cross the border between Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire
Marsden – The Riverhead Brewery Tap and Dining Room
Slaithwaite (pronounced Slaw-it) – The Commercial (The Swan in Slaithwaite is the GBG entry, run by the same people but The Commercial has longer opening hours and has recently been overhauled)
Huddersfield – The Head of Steam (although Huddersfield has two pubs in the station – the other one being the King’s Head – and a good choice of other real ale pubs locally such as the Sportsman, the Grove and the Rat & Ratchet)

From Huddersfield we caught the train to Leeds, stopping at:

Mirfield – The Navigation
Dewsbury – West Riding
Batley – Cellar Bar
Leeds – to the Travelodge via the Scarborough Hotel, The Brewery Tap and Whitelocks (good back alley real ale pub)


Logistics:

In order to hop on and off the train, a Greater Manchester off-peak Rail Ranger Ticket (for use after 9.30 am) costs 4 per adult (see gmpte.com).

A West Yorkshire off-peak Day Rover costs 5.30 per adult or two adults can use a family one for 8.80, without any requirement to be accompanied by any children (see wymetro.com).

Timetable details are on the National Rail Enquiries website. Our first journey used TransPennine Express trains but from then on we used the basic but functional Northern Rail Service.

We were lucky enough to be able to purchase the Day Rovers for the second part of our journey in advance of the day of travel.


My individual pub reviews became more vague and brief the further along the crawl we went, due in part to starting at a sprint in the excellent Station Buffet Bar in Stalybridge and also to my cold sapping my energy.

If you think that the whole crawl would be too much to do, I would recommend (for time and quality) visiting at least the 3 bars on station platforms at Stalybridge, Huddersfield and Dewsbury, although none of the pubs we visited were more than a few minutes walk from the station.

the liquids
10-11-2010, 11:18
After seeing the TV programme about the Pennine real ale trail – and then reading the reviews (including this one), which was very helpful, my wife and I, along with a couple of friends (husband and wife) who like us are life-long lovers of good beer, decided to make the pilgrimage from Plumstead/Welling, South East London (It’s much easier if you live locally and can visit each pub, as and when, at your leisure – not the case for us Southerners). We opted for the idea of lodging in Leeds, travelling on the fast train to the furthest stop we wished to visit (Stalybridge) and working our way back on the slow train, taking in each station and its recommended pub.

Because we all still work, we chose to take a half-day’s holiday, travel from London to Leeds on Friday afternoon, fit the beer run in on Saturday and back home on Sunday, ready for work Monday.

The most economic way to do this was on National Express coaches from London Victoria. By booking well in advance I got four returns, leaving at 3.00 pm on Friday and returning at 2.00 pm Sunday for £45 (the journey time is roughly four and a half hours – if you take a snack and something to read, it’s fine). This included £1 each for insurance (optional) and £1 card handling fee.

Next on the list was to find somewhere economical to stay. There are a few B&Bs within a couple of miles of the city centre (£5 cab ride) offering low cost, no frills accommodation. We chose the Crescent Hotel in Dewsbury Road. Yes, the rooms were small and basic. However, the beds were very comfortable, there was a tv and tea/coffee making facilities. The rooms were en suite with a modern and efficient shower, wash basin and toilet. In the morning we had a freshly cooked English breakfast with as much piping hot strong tea and toast as we wanted, all served by a very nice gentleman who I think was the owner.

Arriving in the evening, we didn’t want to go back into town. Luckily there is a pub – The Broadway – not too far down the road (out of the door, cross the road and turn right) which is a lively and friendly Friday night venue. Apparently they do nice food, but their kitchen was closed by the time we got there (I think it shuts at 9.00). Not too big a problem as there was a Chinese take away on the way back.

In the morning, after breakfast, we headed off to Leeds station to catch the 9.40 to Stalybridge, which takes about 40 minutes. (£12.20 return and as long as you don’t lose your tickets, you can break your journey as many times as you want).

Although they can’t serve beer until 11.00 (you can get tea/coffe/snacks), it’s worth getting there early because there are lots of things to see in the bar and you are there before the crowds arrive. We bought postcards (you need your own stamps) and took a walk down the road to post them, getting back just as Sylvia (the landlady) was pouring our first pints – lovely. Now I said that we were two couples and that our wives – very fortunately – like good ale. I’d like to point out at this stage that they are ladies from the old sense, ie they prefer to drink halves to our pints (not wishing to be ladettes and keep up with two 6’3”+ blokes). In order to sample as many ales as possible (apparently there are over 30 in the seven pubs that we managed to visit) we agreed to have a different beer each and swap around.

Apart from the fact that it would take far too long to try and describe all the beers that we tasted, it should be a personal thing. However, I must say that every one of them was served in excellent condition and there wasn’t one that we didn’t enjoy!

The stopping trains run once an hour and so after two rounds, at 11.50 we started our return journey, first stop Mossley and the Britannia, run by Phil and Alison. Another warm welcome, especially from Alison (a very interesting lady) who serves good food (lots of it local), so we passed up the next train and stayed to have lunch.

We then stuck to the one hour stop for next three stations – Greenfield, The Railway (where, although we had not long had lunch, we had to sample their famous pork pies served with proper English mustard. I bought the last one they had, much to the annoyance of the locals, and divided it into four to share. It was delicious and recommended!) – Marsden, The Riverhead – and Slaithwaite, The Commercial. When you reach Huddersfield the trains run much more frequently and as the bars both there and at Dewsbury are on the platform (and the fact that we were quite jolly by then) we had no strict schedule, but did return to Leeds around 8.30 and found a very nice Italian restaurant (Café Italia, 7-8 Mill Hill, Leeds, LS1 5DQ) then cab home. In the words of Lou Read ‘a perfect day’. The next morning, after another excellent breakfast, we took a stroll into Leeds to have a look around the shops and a lovely little market very near to the coach station.

We finished off by visiting a pub, highly rated by a local bobby (The Ship – Ship Yard, Leeds LS1 6LL) in the city centre for a lunchtime refresher before catching our 2.00 pm coach. In our words ‘a damn good weekend’.

There are more stations, pubs and route plans to take note of when doing this trip (especially if you have the time to visit for a longer period). You can find out about them by reading other reviews and checking out the Transpennine Real Ale Trail website, but we were really pleased with our version and hope that this review is of help to you.

Cheers!!

The Liquids

ROBCamra
10-11-2010, 11:45
"Slaithwaite (pronounced Slaw-it) – The Commercial (The Swan in Slaithwaite is the GBG entry, run by the same people but The Commercial has longer opening hours and has recently been overhauled)
"

The Commercial is owned by the same people who own The Swan and both are now in the GBG 2011. Shame about the wallpaper and the return valves though.

http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40613/

RogerB
10-11-2010, 12:08
An excellent account O Liquid ones (and welcome to the site - nice to see a few more people from my relatively ale barren vicinity on the prowl for good pubs). This sounds like the sort of trip that is right up my street. I know a few of the pubs mentioned in the 2 reports above and would love to revisit some of them at some time. Plenty of useful tips above.

gillhalfpint
10-11-2010, 12:09
Love these reviews. We did a bus crawl that took in Diggle, Dobcross, Uppermill, Greenfield and Oldham one year and visited the great pubs. Also took in Station bars mentioned from either the Bury site or one in Holmfirth where we stayed to visit the excellent Star in Huddersfield beer fest one year.

The transport for getting around is first class, and staying for a week gives so many options around these parts. Will be at Bury site again in January for the Winter Ales fest in Manchester, so hopefully will get a train ride out again. Depends on where else we need to go around Manchester (Smithfield, Crescent, New Oxford etc).

Andy Ven
10-11-2010, 21:54
Glad you found it useful and thanks for your feedback - it's what we do it for! I've posted some other crawls in this category and I'm always open to suggestions for new themes.

I should have added that I recall the 0.3 mile walk back to Marsden station from the Riverhead Brewery Tap is a steep uphill hike between the Railway pub and The Swan, just in case you have an aversion to hill climbing.

aleandhearty
11-11-2010, 13:49
Arriving in the evening, we didn’t want to go back into town.

Apart from the fact that it would take far too long to try and describe all the beers that we tasted, it should be a personal thing.

We finished off by visiting a pub, highly rated by a local bobby (The Ship – Ship Yard, Leeds LS1 6LL) in the city centre for a lunchtime refresher before catching our 2.00 pm coach.

Wow! No tentative dipping of a big toe into the warm waters of the forums. Rather a swallow dive off the high board!

Firstly, a warm welcome and congratulations on a very enjoyable read. That's a pretty high standard to follow.

I realise you were probably dog tired when you got to the B&B in Beeston, but it's a shame you didn't manage to get to The Garden Gate in Hunslet http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/42715/ ,only a couple of minutes away by cab, in the next suburb. I'm sure it would have been much more to your taste than The Broadway.

Don't worry about desscribing / listing beers. We love our 'beer porn' on Pug!

Not sure The Ship would have been the first choice of many Leeds real ale fans.' but hey-ho, more for next time.

Chris87
13-11-2010, 10:49
Did this a couple of months ago for a mate's birthday. My favourite was the Riverhead Brewery Tap, which I thought was superb and a lovely setting to boot. They also do nice food upstairs. I was quite taken with Marsden generally; A couple of weeks later my flatmate and I went for a walk around the adjacent reservoir and the scenery was lovely, before heading back to the Tap for some beer and food.

The West Riding is also excellent; I didn't manage to make the Cellar Bar at Batley though.

BeechyBlackCat
29-03-2011, 14:32
Interesting articles by all, thanks. I have been charged with arranging the ale trail for a group of us from Shropshire.
Is it worth starting and finishing in Stalybridge turning back at Dewsbury? Any pitfalls? We are looking to arrive on a Saturday morning, stay over and return sometime on the Sunday. This would mean an overnighter in Staly'. Not sure how this would compare with the boozy experiences you guys have had !! good idea? bad idea?

Cheers all

Crossste
30-03-2011, 09:16
Personally i think i would try and overnight in Huddersfield as there some excellent pubs in the town all a short walk from the station. The Grove, Star, Rat & Ratchet and Sportsmans to name a few plus if you have bought a Metro ticket, or even if you haven,t the legendery Sair at Linfit is only a 15min bus ride away.

Be warned though. Andy Van mentioned the walk up to Marsden station being uphill, which it is, but it pales into insignificance compared with the similar distance walk up from Manchester Rd to the Sair. The last time we did it we were able to do a full Toastie loaf off my mates head.

As you are doing it over 2 days, and i am presuming ale will be taken on both days, you could probably have a couple of add ons to the trail and take in, perhaps, Sowerby Bridge, where there is a pub on the station, plus some good ones in the town, Halifax with the Pump Rooms and Three Pigeons only 5 mins from the station, both towns being just 15mins ish from Huddersfield and again all doable on the Metro ticket. This area is a real ale oasis where only time and your constitution will limit you.

If i were doing it i think it would be something like. Saturday:- Batley, Dewsbury, Huddersfield plus add ons. Sunday:- any you missed in Huddersfield, Slaithwaite, Marsden, Greenfield and lastly Staly Vagas having perhaps visited Saturday on your way through.

Just a word of caution for anybody doing the trail using the Greater M/cr Ranger and the West Yorks Metro tickets. There is a void area which is covered by neither of these tickets between Greenfield and Marsden stations where you change regions so a ticket (£5.50 return = 2 pints) is needed between the 2. Funny how i get a desperate urge for the loo just before Greenfield.:whistle:

Dazman
28-04-2011, 13:18
One of my favourite pubs on the trail is The Britannia at Mossley but only seems to open late in the afternoon. I think a pub should be nominated for the Ashton Under Lyne area for real ale drinkers to visit. My vote would go to The Witchwood which serves about 4 real ales all for £2.20 the last time i went in they had Brew dog and inferno by Oakhams. They always have Joseph Holts on which is the only place you can get it in Ashton Under lyne centre.The staff are always willing to let you sample the beer. On the cider front they had Janets jungle juice on. I believe they are having a beer festival on at the end of August which i found out on this forum http://www.thewitchwood.net/forum/index.php?topic=582.0

Drinkin Donuts
09-06-2011, 17:32
Andy - I did the same a fortnight ago, and there have been some changes. The Kings Head at Huddersfield might be better known to some as the pre-name-change Station Tavern ; fine range of beers in there, i always prefer that to the HoS. At Slaithwaite, the Swan and the Commercial are no longer under the same owners apparently - the Swan has changed hands recently ( around Xmas, landlord said ), is now a proper Free House ( hurrah ! ) and has already managed to bag itself a Casque Marque award, the only one in the village - i can see why its the one in the GBG, awesome beer on the day i went - and proper pork pies. Landlord at the Commercial has done a runner, they say. Whitlocks is a Leeds legend, but don't overlook the old Tetley brewery tap, The Adelphi - it's only five minutes walk from good old Leeds station, and every step downhill for those who've stayed slightly too long at The WR Refreshment Rooms !

Andy Ven
09-06-2011, 21:10
DD - thanks for the update. It was a one-off crawl but I will bear the info in mind if we plan a repeat.

Sheffield tomorrow!

bammo
22-08-2011, 14:02
When the trail first started it was great fun and a boost for the villages and pubs en route but now it seems to be much more popular and rather that real ale buffs the people it seems to know attract are more like a stag week end crowd.
The trains are over crowded with blokes mainly dressed in all manner of hilarious costumes ( Oh how we laugh) who have drunk more than they can handle, the noise and language bad the train stinks like a beery fart and they seem to think its quite ok to piss anywhere they want the local stations on Sunday morning are lined with empty beer glasses and bottles etc, broken glass all over the platforms Im not kidding its really bad.
In Marsden last week end my daughter saw about 3 blokes peeing against someone house when one of their mates shouted something he casualy threw a bottle at him which smashed all over the pavement much to the amusement of his mates.
Its now such fun that the Police have to travel on the trains to keep the morons in order.A lot of local people who welcomed it initially are really fed up with it now, I just thought I would share that opinion with you, and again the sad thing is the majority of people are actually ok I have had some good interesting chats . G

boozergreen
28-10-2011, 23:24
Glad you found it useful and thanks for your feedback - it's what we do it for! I've posted some other crawls in this category and I'm always open to suggestions for new themes.

I should have added that I recall the 0.3 mile walk back to Marsden station from the Riverhead Brewery Tap is a steep uphill hike between the Railway pub and The Swan, just in case you have an aversion to hill climbing.

The Swan is a Thwaites house selling Wainwright's and Lancaster Bomber, both beers being absolutely outstanding. The Wainwrights in particular was a superb pint, my friends and I voting it to be the best beer we had all day. Do yourself a favour and make sure you visit this pub, you actually pass it on the way to the Riverhead

rpadam
07-12-2011, 21:54
When the trail first started it was great fun and a boost for the villages and pubs en route but now it seems to be much more popular and rather that real ale buffs the people it seems to know attract are more like a stag week end crowd.
The trains are over crowded with blokes mainly dressed in all manner of hilarious costumes ( Oh how we laugh) who have drunk more than they can handle, the noise and language bad the train stinks like a beery fart and they seem to think its quite ok to piss anywhere they want the local stations on Sunday morning are lined with empty beer glasses and bottles etc, broken glass all over the platforms Im not kidding its really bad.
In Marsden last week end my daughter saw about 3 blokes peeing against someone house when one of their mates shouted something he casualy threw a bottle at him which smashed all over the pavement much to the amusement of his mates.
Its now such fun that the Police have to travel on the trains to keep the morons in order.A lot of local people who welcomed it initially are really fed up with it now, I just thought I would share that opinion with you, and again the sad thing is the majority of people are actually ok I have had some good interesting chats . G
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16069913

aleandhearty
08-12-2011, 18:37
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-16069913

It's funny you should highlight this 'rp', as I had a drink with a friend on Sunday who told me about his group's experience on Sat 26th Nov. They visited several stops and in some of the pubs they were immediately asked if they were doing the trail, as they approached the bar. On answering 'yes' they were automatically given plastic glasses, the bar staff saying that's what they'd been told to do. Rather draconian for three men in their late forties. It would seem the backlash has well and truly begun.

Crossste
08-12-2011, 21:12
Its a real shame when the nob heads take over and spoil what is a good day out for decent folk. It now appears that they have caused one of our local charity beer walks to be canceled due to their antics.

http://www.beerwalk.co.uk/

Spinko
19-03-2012, 20:10
Living in Leeds I now mostly avoid this ale trail, instead choosing to do the northern line variant. You'll need a little more time and be willing to walk a little but it is much more interesting.

From Leeds, head to Shipley for the Sir Norman Rae Wetherspoons. There were about 8 or 9 decent ales on when I was there around 3 weeks ago. Back on the train to Bradford Forster Square, and head to the Sparrow. Not the largest selection on, but well kept and usually some interesting craft beer on as well. If you have a bit of time, just around the corner is the Corn Dolly. There's then a 10 minute walk to the other Bradford station, Interchange. Head into Halifax and Dirty Dicks which is straight up the hill. You can roll down the hill back to the station for the train to Sowerby Bridge and the Jubilee Refreshment Rooms - bang on the station. There's then Brighouse on the way to Huddersfield, and about 5 mins walk into town is the Old Ship Inn and right next door the The Richard Oaster (JDW). You can then head to Huddersfield and avoiding the real rail ale trailers head to the Sportsman around the corner or if there's anything left in your legs head over to the Grove or Rat and Ratchet. The fast Transpennine Express train back to Leeds doesn't get many trailers on it so is safe to catch. All doable with about 8 or 9 trains, for less than £1 per train.

I'm on the lookout for a similar jaunt to either Sheffield or York but I don't think anything surpasses the West Yorkshire Day Rover for number of towns with good pubs you can get to in one day.

aleandhearty
20-03-2012, 18:34
Living in Leeds I now mostly avoid this ale trail, instead choosing to do the northern line variant. You'll need a little more time and be willing to walk a little but it is much more interesting.

There's then Brighouse on the way to Huddersfield, and about 5 mins walk into town is the Old Ship Inn and right next door the The Richard Oaster (JDW)

I don't think anything surpasses the West Yorkshire Day Rover for number of towns with good pubs you can get to in one day.

Must admit I rather like the idea of coming up with some alternative ale trails, now that the knuckle draggers are spoiling the original. Have you tried the Red Rooster in Brighouse? It's one of those pubs on my 'to do' list that I never seem to get round to visiting. Has a really good reputation. Have to agree that the Day Rover's brilliant value, even better when two adults (even without kids) can buy a family version!

Spinko
21-03-2012, 20:59
Must admit I rather like the idea of coming up with some alternative ale trails, now that the knuckle draggers are spoiling the original. Have you tried the Red Rooster in Brighouse? It's one of those pubs on my 'to do' list that I never seem to get round to visiting. Has a really good reputation. Have to agree that the Day Rover's brilliant value, even better when two adults (even without kids) can buy a family version!

That was the first time I'd been to Brighouse (it's not the easiest place to get to from Leeds) so didn't manage it - would need a map I think! I think next time I might go a bit further and take in Hebden Bridge and Todmorden (Mytholmroyd too?)

I'm moving to Manchester in June and I think the Greater Manchester Rover may throw up some interesting possibilities...

The other option is a bus crawl, but more of an issue with reliability of services with that one.

hondo
04-02-2013, 09:58
"I’d do the Ale Trail again for sure but only on a weekday"
http://allgatesbrewery.com/allgates-brewery-blog/2013/02/the-hijacking-of-the-trans-pennine-rail-ale-trail/

hondo
20-02-2013, 07:37
"I’d do the Ale Trail again for sure but only on a weekday"
http://allgatesbrewery.com/allgates-brewery-blog/2013/02/the-hijacking-of-the-trans-pennine-rail-ale-trail/

This trail featured during last nights bbc2 programme The Railway - Keeping Britain on Track http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01qsk0j . Every sympathy with the local residents/passengers it looks like hell
James May:sick: as Kapitan Muller would say "Your name will also go on the list!"

Pete4realale
05-03-2013, 13:12
The Transpennine Ale-Trail is HELL . The annoying underbelly of our stag-do culture has well and truly ruined things for those of us who are mature with drink and just want a nice day out with mates. You just can't do this on this trail. It's so ridiculous now that Northern Rail has a response team sometimes visible sometimes undercover monitoring Slaithwaite and Marsden. British Transport Police were out last Saturday walking people off the trains and down the streets to the pubs (going beyond their jurisdiction in doing so). Everything is served in plastic glasses (a minor thing I know but you just feel like a brat at some tacky teenage music festival). They even have street marshals (again sometimes undercover taking photographs if these idiots urinate in public or whatever which they then phone BTP who arrest/caution them). Arrests and cautions at these small villages have gone through the roof. Saw one idiot being cautioned at the station when I was on it. Still, I can't blame the people who live in these villages, I wouldn't want groups of these idiots trespassing and urinating in my garden. To be really honest this trail, although well-established and having lots of good points about it, really doesn't deserve all the attention it seems to get. There are plenty of other trails out there. Apparently, there has been a real backlash from residents. It felt awkward stood outside the Commercial in Slaithwaite and over hearing a couple of local guys walk past who stated they would go in but weren't going to bother because it was just too crowded. As a reasonable man and my 2 other mates being pretty decent guys I had to admit we did feel that the Transpennine Ale-Trail has damaged to some extent the local logistics on a Saturday. Locals seem to either stay at home or go elsewhere.
Then there are the trains.............
What can I say about that. If you are up for being crammed in a two-carriage train full of idiots, often standing with delays as people cram off and on, then enjoy the trail. Saw two fights break out (arrhhhhh, now I see why they have plastic glasses!) and almost got hit! Me and mates were crammed in next to these idiots and that's the problem, you can't choose who you go on the trail with. The mix of people on it have such low standards that I almost pity them.
Won't be doing this again. EVER. Want to do something that isn't policed and under scrutiny. What I'm so angry about is the fact that these idiots have stolen the ale-trail right from under our very noses. I used to this with mates 3 years ago before all this nonsense - my god how things can deteriorate.

MY ADVICE - SEEK OUT ANOTHER TRAIL THAT HASN'T BEEN KIDNAPPED.

http://aletrailderailed.blogspot.co.uk/2013/02/drinking-on-platforms-plastic-glasses.html

hondo
05-03-2013, 13:52
welcome Pete alas a sad reflection on modern Britain

sheffield hatter
19-04-2013, 19:09
I did a very different real ale trail of my own devising this week. Starting from Sheffield (as you might expect), we headed first for Wakefield so that we could buy the excellent value Metro Family - children not compulsory - Day Rover. (I see from an early post in this thread that it used to be £8.80 for two people but is now £11.) We then proceeded to Leeds where we had time for a swift pint before catching the 10.49 to Settle. We had to buy an extra ticket for the extra bit from the West Yorkshire boundary, of course. Destination was the excellent The Talbot Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55447/), but we also called in at Thirteen Cafe Bar (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/71863/).

The 13.32 out of Settle took us to Keighley where we enjoyed the Boltmakers Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40834/) and were less impressed with The Cricketers Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40845/). (Original plan had been to walk or catch a bus from Steeton & Silsden station to The Kings Arms (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40863/) at Silsden, but a change in the train timetable ruled this out.)

Next stop was Saltaire, where we witnessed some very aggressive policing of a couple of sleeping drunks (it was only 3.30pm!) at The Victoria (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/41185/) before popping across the road to Fanny's Ale and Cider House (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/55868/). The next train took us into Bradford where we went to The Sparrow (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/73922/), which was not really my cup of tea, and The Shoulder Of Mutton (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40163/), which was just what the doctor ordered (sorry about the cliches).

We had to hurry to catch the train to Huddersfield, but I have to say I found the beer selection at The Grove (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40654/) much too bitter and not to my taste. I got talking to a couple of drinkers at the bar, one of whom soon found the Pubs Galore site on his smart phone and I'm pleased to report that he was very impressed with it. :)

Next stop was Wakefield where we were attracted by the fantastic tiled facade of the Elephant & Castle (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/41258/) and decided to pop in for a half even though it wasn't a scheduled stop - and were glad we did. Final stop of the day was The Bull and Fairhouse (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/60168/), where we had a couple of unfortunate beers, one of which required changing because it had gone off, the other just on its last legs. :(

On returning to Sheffield we decided to have a swift half in The Old Queens Head (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/43295/), partly because it has had a recent refurbishment, which we wanted to check out, but mostly just to extinguish the memory of that last beer in Wakefield.

On reflection, the inclusion of the Talbot in Settle was just a bit too much, requiring a very early start and making the train journey more complex and expensive than it needed to be. A better alternative might have been to just confine ourselves to West Yorkshire, stopping in Keighley a bit longer, perhaps, or making The Turkey Inn (http://www.pubsgalore.co.uk/pubs/40896/) the day's destination. Hmm, I feel another pub crawl coming on....

oldboots
19-04-2013, 19:37
That's a fine days drinking and all in the West Riding.


The Kings Arms is a fine pub but just too much of a hike from the station to fit in a tight schedule.

hondo
28-05-2013, 10:19
"On Saturdays, from noon until 8pm, participating pubs will not be serving".

http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/local-west-yorkshire-news/2013/05/28/lager-ban-on-real-ale-trail-as-pubs-say-enough-is-enough-86081-33388598/

http://www.morningadvertiser.co.uk/General-News/Licensees-along-Transpennine-real-ale-trail-defend-decision-to-ban-lager

oldboots
28-10-2013, 17:23
"On Saturdays, from noon until 8pm, participating pubs will not be serving".



Here's the poster at Leeds Station

952

oldboots
09-05-2014, 19:11
Back in the news http://www.examiner.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/real-ale-trail-clampdown-set-7089848

hondo
20-04-2017, 11:48
"A rather portly Princess Leia, who was wearing plastic boots and a pink bum bag"
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4426964/Princess-Leia-Chewbacca-drunken-brawl.html