Ale Near Rail

I travel a fair deal by train. Because I don't drink and drive and, indeed, I don't drive: never had a lesson, never had the inclination.

So I get to hang around on station platforms waiting for late trains. So I get to know where the nearest decent pubs are. So I have them on a list (I have a little list...)

Lots of websites will tell you how to find a pub that is close to a railway station. This guide is all about quality - good beers (local, guests, bottles, continentals), good food if you're hungry, less than five minutes from the station and that all-important 'comfy' factor - no booming music, old soaks, lager louts, screaming kids etc. Somewhere to have a civil pint at a civil price.

This list will grow depending on where my travels take me. It's always going to have a Midlands bias as that's where I live.

DERBY

My home town. A swift drink or five for me on the way home, depending on how tortuous the rail journey has been.

The Brunswick - Turn right out of the station, follow the terraced row and the 'Brunnie' is the last building on the left. Brews it own beer, several guest beers, proper cider, great value lunchtime food, several rooms plus patio. Stalwart of the real ale scene in Derby.

NOTTINGHAM

The VAT and Fiddle - Out through the main exit, turn left to get out onto the road, keep left along the station front, cross over at the lights and bear right. The pub is down a sloping road on your right hand side. The Castle Rock tap, guest beers, continental bottles, good food.

BEESTON

The Victoria - Another Tynemill pub, next to the Nottingham-bound platform of the station. No direct access from this platform nowadays so take the path that runs parallel to the Derby/London bound platform and use the footbridge. Good range of beers (always a dark one), excellent food, large patio area.

BURTON

The Devonshire Arms - Turn right out of the station, follow the round down and round, pub is a few minutes walk on the right hand side in the shadow of the Coors brewery plant. Burton Bridge Brewery pub so always a choice of their beers plus a guest or two.

(I'll have to work out the directions to the Coopers Arms which is closer and well worth the visit)

BIRMINGHAM

The Wellington - Exit New Street via the Victoria Square footbridge. Out of the station, cross straight over the road via the crossing and head up the hill, keeping left onto a pedestrianised stretch. Turn right onto New Street then immediate left onto Bennetts Hill. The Wellington is near the top of the hill on the right hand side - no pub sign so look for the name on the window.

It's a good five minutes to get here so treat yourself to the best beer range around. Rare and unusual beers abound; look up at the large screen TV to see what's being served at the moment and then order by the number shown! Beers change regularly, such is the demand. You can expect rarer/popular beers to sell out in one day.

No food so bring your own - posh sarnie shop just a bit lower down. Cutlery and plates provided - you can even bring a takeway meal in.

Proper cider, continental bottles... at least it's downhill back to the station!

Note for less mobile - if you use the lifts at New Street station you'll end up at least another five minutes further away as they are on the other side of the station. You can still make it there; go up to the Pallisades shopping centre, exit onto New Street, turn left and look out for Boots and Bella Pasta on the left - Bennetts Hill is then on your right.

DEWSBURY

West Riding Licensed Refreshment Rooms - On the Manchester-bound platform of the station. So you can't get any closer! Tim Taylor's beers, Anglo-Dutch beers always feature, food served (though in truth I usually grab a butty from the shop on the station, excellent stuff like corned beef & beetroot).

LEEDS

The Scarbrough - Out of the main station exit, head for the 'tower' where a flight of stairs takes you down to street level. The pub is opposite (but you might want to use the pedestrian crossing). If you can't use the stairs, just follow the road round to the right from the station. Up to six guests, can be noisy but it's good beer and close by. The station concourse also has a Wetherspoons which, er, is a Spoons but does keep some decent beer.

WORCESTER

The Dragon Inn - Turn left out of the station. Pub is a few minutes up the road on the left. Good half-dozen beers, informative blackboard with beer tasting notes (and banned topics of conversation). Proper cider served. Great food (particularly the hot baguettes). Long pub with suntrap patio and no-smoking area.

GODALMING

The Star - Turn left of the station into Station Approach, take the first road on your left (Church Street) and follow it around, the pub is on the right hand side of the road. Open all day, several cask beers, chock full of proper cider and perry, continental bottles... traditional pub food, great atmosphere, cosy feel with a warm welcome. If you find yourself stranded in the apocalyptic concrete hell of Guildford, get on the train for a few minutes and come here for a proper drink.