A Pint at the Bristol Pub That Once Served as a Railway Hotel

Fishponds: The Railway Tavern has been a local favorite for years. It’s been 60 years since trains stopped running here, but the pub keeps the memories alive.

Inside, you’ll find original signs from the old station, which operated from 1866 to 1965. One sign says ‘way out – ticket office – platforms 3 to 6’. Another reads ‘parcels and left luggage’.

The walls are filled with black and white photos of the station and steam trains. It’s like a mini museum dedicated to Fishponds’ railway history.

In the 70s and 80s, the pub was called The Pecketts Flyer, named after local locomotive engineers. Now, it’s back to being the Railway Tavern.

Behind the bar, there’s an old clocking-on clock, a reminder of when workers had to be on-site. An enamel sign warns, ‘passengers must not cross the line – danger, do not touch the live rail’.

I visited recently and found no real ales, but the Guinness was great at £5.30 a pint. Other options included Foster’s, Amstel, and Heineken. They also have a good selection of spirits.

The pub is popular with locals and is a handy stop for shoppers at nearby Lidl and Morrisons. There’s a large car park next to the pub for convenience.

The Railway Tavern has several rooms, an original Victorian fireplace, a dartboard, and a courtyard beer garden. There are also comfy leather sofas in a snug area.

Sports fans will love the big screens showing live games. It’s a great spot to catch the Six Nations matches.

The pub hosts a quiz on the first Thursday of each month and features live music every Friday and Saturday night. This month, you can catch acts like Ragged Union and Bohemian Bar Thieves.

If you’re in the area, stop by the Railway Tavern at Station Road, Fishponds, Bristol, BS16 3SG.