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Detail Pages
The Station Inn, Carnforth
Ribblehead
Postal town: Carnforth
LA6 3AS
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Station Inn
A lonely walk down a rutted unlit gravel path from the station (a torch is a must in the winter months) to the only habitation for quite some distance, which I guess survives and thrives due to the tourists and hikers. Looks impressive outside, a big stone building. Less so in, a long and fairly dull affair with a modern bent – laminate floor and a mildly corporate feel. Ghosts of a 60s refit if you look upwards. GBG listed with three cask on over six sticks. My Whernside Pale Ale by Three Peaks Brewery was par (NBSS 3). All felt a little bit meh; if it wasn’t for my notes and phone snaps I would have struggled to recall this one. I guess I was hoping for something a bit in keeping with its surrounds.
On 9th February 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 5099 recommendations about 5082 pubs]
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Station Inn
This remote North Yorkshire pub clearly relies on the draw of the adjacent Ribblehead Viaduct to run its business. As we approached the vicinity, it was clear that there were plenty of visitors to the viaduct, including a few coaches. The car park at the rear of the pub was filled mainly with caravans and mobile homes. There are also a few rooms that belong to the pub.
We walked into a packed pub with all tables taken. After getting served, we managed to bag a couple of seats at the end of an occupied table. However, after about 10 minutes, the pub emptied dramatically. Seemingly a train to Leeds was due in the nearby station and the customers were in fact mostly daytrippers by train. Those left were presumably owners of the mobile homes, caravans or part of the coach parties! With the train actually being delayed, we supped our drinks in a bit more of a relaxed setting before heading outside to see it pass across the nearby landmark!
The house beer here is Tirril 1875, the year that the viaduct was completed. It seemed rude not to try that one whilst I was here. It was in reasonable condition, but wasn't really my kind of beer. The other regular beer was Black Sheep Best Bitter. Guest beers were Black Sheep Blitzen (being sold at a reduced price) and Banks's Brewdolph.
It's worth a stop here if travelling through the Dales. The Viaduct is impressive, but the pub is also worth a visit in its own right.
On 7th January 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2452 recommendations about 2451 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Station Inn
Isolated pub - with Ribblehead station and a handful of cottages.
Yet it was quite busy - a few ramblers - myself included - on a Friday Lunchtime but also a number of people who had arrived for food.
Bar, with some stools at far end - typical pub tables/chairs, leading to a bigger restaurant area at the back.
At least four real ales on - and I went for the Eponymous Ribbehead Bitter from Settle Brewery - which was in fine condition.
On 17th October 2022
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1338 recommendations about 1324 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Station Inn
This pub is set with the rather splendid Ribblehead Viaduct as its backdrop and must be a welcome sight for the walkers that this area is popular with. As you enter via the front door the bar area is to the right with six hand pulls atop the bar, though three of those were off. Available was Ribblehead Bitter (Settle), 1875 (Tirril) and Riggwelter (Black Sheep). In fact, the Ribblehead Bitter seemed to go off at some point during my stay, but something on the same pump was being pulled through as I left. I went for the 1875 which set me back £2 for a half, which is a little on the expensive side though this is the only pub in the area so little in the way of competition and if you're thirsty you will pay. Hot drinks are also available, as is food.
The bar area was pretty full with all the tables occupied so I went for a wander through to the other side of the pub where there is an area with tables, leaflets for local attractions, books to read etc, then another area beyond this which looked more cosy, carpeted and has a fire (not in use yesterday).
Service was polite enough though not particularly friendly.
The sign above the gents boasts a "loo with a view" and indeed there is a clear window above the urinals with a view across the beer garden to the Ribblehead Viaduct.
Accommodation is available. Wi-Fi is available and the code is above the bar. As there is pretty much no phone signal in this area, I am sure this would be welcome to a lot of people. A shame that half the pump clips were turned round but perhaps they are only all on at weekend or in the height of summer when the place is likely to be busier.
On 21st June 2019
- rating: 7
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Station Inn
Handy for the station, as the name implies, and also for the viaduct and walks in the three peaks area, this pub has provided me with the occasional pint or two over the years. Our recent visit found a new team in charge and a different approach, with six real ales on the bar. Initially a very welcome sight, on closer inspection this turned out to be a selection of six pale, blonde or golden beers, a kind of Hobson's Choice. To be fair, my pint of Cross Bay Nightfall went down a treat after our walk from Dentdale, and we also had time for a half of Kirkby Lonsdale Stanleys, which wasn't so good, before catching our train. Call me old fashioned, but I would like to see a pub like this serving a reliable well-known local beer such as Theakstons Best or Black Sheep Bitter, with two or three more experimental brews from microbreweries.
Date of above visit: 16th June 2016
A more recent visit found a slightly different selection, with Timothy Taylor Landlord, Black Sheep Golden, two beers from Kirkby Lonsdale and a house beer called Tet's Winter Ale 3.7%, which I was informed is brewed at Recoil Brewery. This Clitheroe brewery is the third that I have seen described as the successor to Copper Dragon (the others being Beer Monkeys and Grey Hawk); whatever, having satisfied myself that it wasn't Tetleys Bitter in disguise I gave it a go and it turned out to be an unspectacular golden ale, much like the others on offer on this occasion (too).
On 26th October 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3745 recommendations about 3482 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
. Wittenden left this review about The Station Inn
Stone built Dales pub at the foot of the spectacular Ribblehead Viaduct (Batty Moss viaduct to its friends and family) in famous walking and train spotting country.The door opens into a public bar area, decorated with a number of clocks and railway memoriabilia. To the left, further areas which I think were laid up for dining.
The bar ,at right angles to the door, dividing the pub,offered four real ales on our October visit, while waiting for a train.I had a well kept pint of Wensleydale Session Bitter sitting in front of the open fire.
Dogs are welcome,and the pub is popular with walkers and those doing the Three Peaks, situated as it is at the foot of Whernside.An adjacent barn has been converted into a bunkhouse, and letting rooms and camping facilities are available. Our brief visit didn’t really do the pub justice, but it seems a classic.
On 22nd October 2014
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 283 recommendations about 282 pubs]