Historic Station Pubs in Protected Waiting Rooms
The Rating That Protects a Room
Camra — the Campaign for Real Ale — grades pub interiors, and three stars, its highest rating, belong to the Sheffield Tap, recorded as “a pub interior of outstanding national importance.” [1] Two stars belong to the Stalybridge Buffet Bar, near Manchester, recorded as “a pub interior of very special national historic interest.” [1]. Two further entries carry a conversion verdict rather than a star count: the Draughtsman Alehouse in Doncaster is an outstanding conversion and restoration, and Codsall station in Staffordshire sits among the outstanding conversions and restorations. [1].
The Sheffield Tap occupies the former first-class refreshment room at Sheffield station, and the waiting room, offices and stationmaster’s house at Codsall have been converted into a pub. [1].
The Sheffield Tap occupies the former first-class refreshment room of the station. [1].
Kew Gardens is the only tube station that still has a pub directly attached. [1] The station opened in 1869, and the building that now holds the pub was first the timber steaming hall, later the buffet rooms, and only then a pub. [1] Fuller’s bought it in 2012, and it reopened the following year after refurbishment. [1] It has high oak beams, picture windows looking on to the platform, an arched glass atrium and a paved outdoor area, serves two Fuller’s ales and a guest ale, has a full food menu and shows live sport. [1].
The Draughtsman’s Name Above the Door
The Draughtsman Alehouse in Doncaster keeps the traces of the original trade visible — original wall tiles, old photographs and draughtsman’s drawings of steam locomotives.
Small operators, not only breweries, have been doing this work. The reason is capital: a brewery can carry a fit-out across several sites, while an independent carries it on one balance sheet.
The pub on platform 4 at Stalybridge station, east of Manchester, is one of the few remaining Victorian buffet bars. [1] Built in 1885, it features the original marble bar top, fireplace and fixed seating, plus lots of railway memorabilia. [1] It serves up to 10 changing real ales, plus a cider or perry; bar snacks include hot pork scratchings, with more substantial food in autumn and winter, such as corned beef hash, pies and local black peas. [1].
Huddersfield offers the same asset under two different ownership models.
The Roof Repairs Are Nearly Done
At Codsall, a village on the Shrewsbury to Wolverhampton line, the waiting room, offices and stationmaster’s house were converted into a pub. [1] The building now holds a bar, a lounge, a conservatory and a snug with a fireplace, with steps up to a patio area overlooking the platforms. [1].
Carlisle is the most recent handover in this record.
The Old Ticket Office in Cambridge has high ceilings, walls painted shades of locomotive green and booths resembling train carriages; there are outdoor tables on Station Square. [1] A live train departures board theoretically prevents passengers lingering too long, and a canning machine means any draught beer is also available to take away (the hatch on platform 4 also does takeaway orders). [1] There are five handpulls plus Young’s usual spritz menu and other drinks, plus light bites and pizzas. [1] The pub is currently closed for roof repairs and expected to reopen by the end of October. [1].
