Me on the station platform with the pub behind, March 2002

The first time I visited this pub, it was on a dreary March evening. While purchasing my rail ticket, I noticed that it was one of those stations that that they really have to root around to find on their ticket machines. After a lot of tapping the ticket was produced and we were on our way. After a change at Wolverhampton, we trundelled along the line in our little unit to Codsall Station. The cold damp atmosphere of the outside world was thankfully exchanged for the warm welcoming atmosphere of the pub as our eyes lit up as we walked through the door. 'What a pub' was my first comment, perhaps a slight understatement, and the barman immediately caught our eye and welcomed us up to the bar, and we feasted our eyes on the fine array of handpumps.

The Codsall Station is one of those pubs that you'd probably define as a 'Cathedral to Ale and all who appreciate good pubs'. Don't think that it's been a pub for that long, probably opening around 2000 or so (correct me if I'm wrong) but it has more than earnt its place on the Real Ale map of Britain that me and many others regularly unfurl on the living room carpet when planning another adventure. The bottom line (not quite a joke is it?) is that Codsall Station like many had a somewhat derelict looking building, that was once carefully looked after by a team of railway staff, but with inevitable staff cutbacks and then complete demanning, the historic building lay dormant. What a change though, as the Grade II listed building has been very carefully restored, and very much retains a railway feel about it with lots of railway memorabilia. Many do visit the pub by train although it does have a very strong and friendly band of locals that frequent this fine establishment. There's the main bar, the lounge, conservatory and also unusually a floodlit boules pitch and a patio where you can watch all the trains go by! Oh yes, and I mustn't forget the snug.

Beer choice includes the excellent Holden's range including their seasonal specials and a range of guest beers. This was the first pub where I tried Holden's Golden Glow (abv. 4.4%) a pale beer with a lovely light hoppiness. Expect a perfect pint of it here. Fairly standard pub food is available lunchtimes and evenings (except Sunday and Monday nights). The pub also hosts it's own beer festival the weekend after the August Bank Holiday with a range of unusual brews for the ale connoisseur. This is also a useful warm-up for the CAMRA Shrewsbury Beer Festival which is usually held the weekend after.

AJ with a very fine pair of local pints, March 2002