Clothiers Arms, Huddersfield

The Clothiers is right next to Stocksmoor station, with a narrow gap in the wall providing easy access. The original building has been added to at various times, including a corridor leading to a former barn next door, an extension to the rear and two partly covered outdoor seating areas on decking facing the car park. The central part of the original pub is pleasingly intact, with the bar being old fashioned and gloomy, surrounded by smaller rooms with dining tables and chairs, and a glazed verandah at the front. There are numerous hand pumps but only Bradfield Farmers Blonde and Tetleys Cask available. I went for the Blonde as I don't much like the latest version of Tetleys, which bears little resemblance to the beer I first drank 40 years ago when I moved across to the right side of the Pennines. The landlord kept on finding fault with the blonde and trying to persuade me to switch, and eventually he disconnected the obviously faulty barrel (it had a slight haze but was not at all undrinkable) and started pulling water through, which convinced me. The Tetleys was in very good condition (NBSS 3.5) but still a shadow of its former self. To be honest, the beers would not have me hurrying back any time soon, but the old-style pub interior is delightful.