Not every train station comes with its own pub, but I like to keep a note of those that do—and it looks like I might be planning a family day out to Codsall some day soon. Staffordshire’s Codsall Station has just been named the West Midlands’ best railway station pub.
In a new study from Locals Insider, 46 station pubs in Britain were scored out of 100 across five weighted criteria: customer satisfaction, value for money, opening hours, station convenience and aesthetic. The independent pub scored 78 in total, which placed it second nationally in the rankings.
Converted from a disused railway building by Black Country brewer Holden’s in 1998, Codsall Station performed well on its customer satisfaction (with a 4.7-star Google rating) and value for money (with a £3.25 pint—the fourth cheapest in the study). Located right at the station, it’s quite charming too, and no, you don’t need a ticket.
“A station pub can make or break a journey, whether you’re killing time before a delayed train or meeting friends on the way home,” said spokesperson for Locals Insider, Martin Danemaq. “Codsall Station came out on top in the West Midlands thanks to glowing reviews and a great-value pint in a beautifully converted railway building.”
Getting to Codsall Station
Honestly, very easily. Just on the other side of Wolverhampton, you can get to Codsall Station from Birmingham New Street via a 26-minute train ride.
The West Midlands’ other best railway station pubs
The Art Deco-inspired Centenary Lounge at Birmingham Moor Street came second in the West Midlands and 15th nationally (71.4), helped by opening hours of 105 hours a week, while its sister site at Leamington Spa was third in the region and 25th nationally (67.4).
Britain’s top 10 railway station pubs
- The Draughtsman Alehouse, Doncaster
- Holdens Codsall Station, Codsall
- The North Western, Liverpool Lime Street
- Tite & Locke, Lancaster
- The Whistle Stop Micro Pub, Grantham
- West Riding Refreshment Rooms, Dewsbury
- Wetherspoons, Leeds
- Steamworks, Seaford
- The Mallard, Worksop
- Harrogate Tap, Harrogate
