Chester and South Clwyd CAMRA

We are planning to do the Transpennine Rail Ale Trail once again on Saturday 24th July. For anyone who has not done this before it involves visiting loads of great boozers without having to venture more than a few minutes walk from the platform.

See http://www.realaletrail.net/ and http://www.variousstuff.co.uk/pubs/tp%20pub%20crawl.htm for details of the pubs.

The intinerary is not yet finalised but it is likely we will get the 09:52 train from Chester and should arrive in Dewsbury just after midday. From there we will work our way back via Mirfield, Huddersfield, Slaithwaite, Marsden, Greenfield and then on to the legendary Stalybridge Station Buffet before heading back to Manchester.

I'm up for this trip, never done it before so look forward to it. Hope somebody can pour me off the train at Chester at the end!

The cheapest return fare I can find for Chester - Dewsbury is a split ticket Chester - Manchester (£13.20) and Manchester Dewsbury (£12.20). Assuming there are more than 4 people we can get a Group Saver for the Chester - Manchester leg which will save £3.30 each. This gives a total return fare of £22.10. If you just ask for a return from Chester - Dewsbury the cost will be £33.30.

The above fares apply to folk who are not students or over 60's. Advance fares are no good as we will be using multiple trains on the way back.

Are there any anoraks out there who can suggest any cheaper options?

I suggest you don't try and do the King's Head on Huddersfield station till after 6 pm. For some reason, they lock the door leading on to the platform till that hour - and there are some right battle-axes on the ticket barrier who object to you breaking your journey on the outward leg, even though you are allowed to do this on a cheap day return (but not a saver).

There are no such problems at Dewsbury and Stalybridge.

Don't think there will be any problems with the King's Head. We will be visiting on the return journey so there are no restrictions.

The Sportsmans in Huddersfield which is about 3 mins walk from the platform has been recommended by Cheshire Scooper.

Just to confuse things further, I believe a GrpSvr to Frodsham and then a cheap day return Frod to Dewsbury saves a few more pennies! Haven't done the sums but it's £16.70 F to D and £4.70 C to F (less GrpSvr) !

Here's a new one on the route for me to visit:-

http://www.undertheviaduct.com/sportsman/?p=Home

You are quite correct Dexter. Splitting the ticket at Frodsham saves an extra 70p. However in theory it means you can't travel back from Manchester via Crewe or use what the Test Match Special bods used to call the 'Chester Flyer' (via Northwich) as it passed Old Trafford in the pre Metrolink days. It's a minor inconvenience but you are restricted to the Warrington route. I'm not sure how carefully they check the tickets though.

Fantastic day out, cheers for organising that. Beer of the Day for me had to be the Millstone Tiger Rut at Greenfield, superb .
Worst by a country mile was the Marble Pint in the new Marble pub in the Northern Quarter, sadly I found it undrinkable.
Can anyone confirm that Derek made it home safe and sound?!!

Totally agree, fantastic trip, thanks Fred.
Great beers (mostly), good company and good craic.
Hope someone is doing a write up, I lost it somewhere like Stalybridge.

Yes a write-up is on the way. Hopefully Andy enjoyed his inaugral trip despite some of the hilly climbs we had in some of the villages

I agree with previous comments about a super day out and many thanks to Fred for organising it. I can confirm the write up is winging across the ether as I type. .
My favourite beer was in fact the very first pint (isn't it always, all the senses are still working ) which was Timmy Taylors Dark Mild. 2nd fav was draught Worthington in the Vulcan at Huddersfield.
Any body want to do the Huddersfield Real Ale Trail as per map on free flyer from err, one of the pubs? It's part of the Food & Drink festival from 26 July to 15th August, but we can do it any time really.