Codsall Station, Wolverhampton

Love this place and you certainly can't complain about the walk from the station as it is situated in the old station buildings. Holdens mild is usually on offer (look out for the pump hidden in the corner) along with the usual Holdens range and guest beers as mentioned. The food is of good quality; I recommend the gammon but found the curry portions on the small side. Also on offer are great pork pies. If you are waist watching, don't go !!

This is an over 21s late night bar that has karaoke on Thursdays and DJs/live bands on Saturdays and Sundays. It has extended opening hours until midnight Monday thru Friday and 1am Saturday and Sunday. Unsurprisingly there is no real ale, but there is a selection of standard draught and my Guinness was well poured by a friendly barmaid. Food is served in the form of snacks, burgers, sharing platters and breakfast, but as I was the only patron on Wednesday afternoon I didn’t see anyone eating. This is a converted shop that has been stripped out and painted purple and white whilst some high tables and limited normal seating had been added. It’s not the biggest place, but there are still four plasma screens and a projector for showing music videos as I saw no Sky Sports advertised. I can imagine this bar filling up with a young crowd in the evenings and is probably one to avoid if over 25 and looking for a decent pint and conversation.

This is a Holden’s pub presented in their usual traditional style. As the name suggests it was once the actual Codsall railway station building, there is still evidence of this in the furnishings and decor which includes many items of steam railway memorabilia. As you enter through the main door there is a small bar straight ahead with only three tables, opposite the bar next to the entrance is a small lounge with an open coal fire, to the left of the bar is a corridor which leads to a conservatory extension with four tables which is very often used for dining. There is a short menu of simple homemade food. The railway line is still active and occasional trains cause fittings in the pub to rattle a little! Which I think adds a bit of unusual character. Regular Ales are Holden’s Bitter, Mild, Golden Glow, Special and two changing guest beers, one of which is usually from a small brewery in Staffordshire or neighbouring counties and the other from further a field (GBG2010). Please note the Mild is very easy to miss as it’s not on the main bar counter with the other hand pulls, but tucked away on the left with its pump clip turned sideways so it can be seen when stood at the bar. A brilliant real ale pub and a great example of how to create a traditional pub from a building that has never been a pub before. Generally I have found the beer to be well kept and the pub has won many awards which are displayed above the bar.

This is definitely one for the Railway enthusiasts. This station building dating from 1849 is now a fully fledged pub cum railway museum not unlike the Buffet Bar at Stalybridge. The interior is packed full of railway memorabilia, signs, maps, name plates, signs, clocks and even coal shovels. 3 Ales from the Holden range (Ordinary Bitter, Special and Golden Glow when I was there) are supplemented by 2 guest beers (upcoming guest beers are indicated on a blackboard at the side of the bar). Occasional beer festivals are also held. The food is reasonably priced but fairly basic with special deals for pensioners at certain off peak times. The carpeted dining room is opposite the main bar with its welcoming fireplace. A corridor runs behind the bar with a snug alcove and ends up in a rear conservatory in what was presumably the old waiting room. This is turn leads to an open terrace on the platform with a few canopies. Several certificates are displayed for the various awards that have been won. A really interesting and unusual pub even if you are not particularly railway orientated.

The exterior can be seen in the picture above, just need to add there is a beer patio as well. The interior is open plan; with a smaller lounge, with a nice fireplace and bench seats and GWR carpet; a general bar and a dining area. The decor was plain wall, earthy red, with lots of railway memorabilia as you would expect. It is done out very nicely. I love the place. Sadly there are problems. Beer; apart from tap tosh this place had Holdens bitter, Golden Glow and Special - No MILD (why?) the Special was at best mediocre. Two guests, Fat Cat Brewery's Marmalade Cat and Cannonball Express, however, i didnt try anything else after the Special wasnt that good. The other point was the, at best, functional service from the barman

Real Ale Pub offering Holden's beers and guests. Food available.