The Railway, Crawley

Official site of The Railway - www.greatukpubs.co.uk

Official site of The Railway - www.greatukpubs.co.uk

Wrong side of the tracks and looks like a Craft Union so expected little but actually it's pretty good. The busiest pub in town (more punters than Spoons!) with a decent atmosphere and a tidy snifter of Abbot (NBSS 3.5) alongside Pride, Harvey's and Proper Job so with that line-up I’m guessing it’s a Stonegate house (I do know that it was Firkin back in the early 90s). It’s a whacked-through modernised interior with the left side retaining a public bar feel with more comfortable area off right. Kept well and the decor is actually fairly pleasant without being memorable. Mini TVs at some tables for the sport. Fair enough overall and worth a look if you’re doing a pub Crawley. 6.5

The Railway is large L-shaped pub with televisions throughout for watching Sky Sports. Muted snooker was on Eurosport whilst some background music played during a Friday evening visit last year. There is a pool table on a small stage area to the left front of the pub, but this was out of use due to a band setting up in readiness for the regular evening entertainment. Out the back is an L-shaped patio area, half of which is laid with AstroTurf for some reason. There is also a car park. The bar supports a standard and premium keg range and I counted four hand pumps. These were drawing Adnams Ghost Ship and Southwold alongside Fullers London Pride and Sharps Doom Bar. Food is available and there are meal deals such as a burger and a drink for £5.99. Although the service was polite, this isn’t a place I would go rushing back to as it is a run-of-the-mill pub co. town centre boozer.