Now that we’ve all had our first taste of pubs with visits to the beer gardens, it’s time to start thinking bigger! Come 17th May, we will be welcomed back into pubs, and we can’t think of a better way to celebrate than with the Transpennine Real Ale Trail! This is a pub crawl with a difference as all of the taverns are along a single rail line. All you need to do is buy a train ticket, and you’re away. There are eight pubs along the way and a whole load of opportunities for a laugh with your pals. Half the fun on this pub crawl is trying not to miss a train, although heading back to the pub after missing one isn’t the worst thing to happen.
It doesn’t matter if you start at Leeds and head towards Manchester, or vice versa. Just use this as a guide for the pubs you need to be hitting on this incredible pub crawl.
1. Buffet Bar, Stalybridge
This amazing Victorian station buffet bar is the first on the transpennine Real Ale Trail and dates back to 1885. It retains some of its original fittings such as the marble-topped bar, back fittings and fireplace. The award-winning pub has a great range of beers and high-quality whiskies (might not be the best idea to start the ale trail with spirits). They also do some great food including their famour buffet bar pies.
2. The Railway Inn, Greenfield
The second stop on our ale trail, this pub is a popular live music venue with all styles of music. It has beautiful views of the Chew Valley from its pub beer garden – perfect for summer days and also a wide range of high-quality ales to enjoy along the way.
3. Riverhead Brewery Tap, Marsden
Marsden is a beautiful village to visit, and the Riverhead Brewery Tap is a great pub to visit with 10 real ale hand pumps which some are brewed on-site. The micro-brewery is housed downstairs in the cellar. So, you can’t get much more local pint on the ale trail!
4. The Swan, Slaithwaite
Next to Slaithwaite viaduct this pub, this pub has a great selection of real ales as well as a good selection of bottled and beers and others As this is the fourth pub in the real ale trail, people might be looking for something a little lighter and easier to drink!
5. Kings Head, Huddersfield
One of the more popular pubs in Huddersfield as well as the ale trail, the King’s Head is a grade one listed railway station. It serves up an array of beers to try. There are always two dark ales and real cider on pull as well as the chance to see live music on Sunday afternoons. It’s a spacious pub, and the place is decorated splendidly – a great place to enjoy a few ales before jumping on to the train for the next stop.
6. Navigation Tavern, Mirfield
7. West Riding, Dewsbury
Situated in the original waiting room on platform 2 of Dewsbury station, this pub is a friendly little venue that has some beautiful architecture from the front of the building. The successful pub has an array of local and countrywide ales on tap for you to try! They also do some decent food, which we are sure people will be gagging to get stuck into at this point in the ale trail.
8. Cellar Bar, Batley
Next to Batley station, Cellar Bar is a great little venue with real character. They serve up a whole host of real ales and guest beers to enjoy. As the last stop on this Transpennine Real Ale Trail, we think it’s a great little pub to finish up in.
Read More: 6 Of The Best Pub Walks In Yorkshire To Try This Summer
Feature Image Credit: Navigation Tavern/ Flikr
