The Railway in Drighlington is the T&A's Pub of the Week

A magnet for people wanting a meal to remember, The Railway - our Telegraph & Argus Pub of the Week - prides itself on its appetising fare, with its meat and potato pies being a particular hit.

“The recipe has been in the owner’s family for many years and people love it,” says Luke Morton, manager of the pub in Birstall Lane, Drighlington.

“Our home-made lasagne is also really popular - we have a free-from plant-based version too - as well as lamb suet pudding and our seafood pies.”

Luke Morton with some of the pub's popular pies

Home-made giant Yorkshire puddings with a variety of fillings also fly out of the kitchen.

“And all our desserts are home-made - diners love sticky toffee pudding and Bakewell tarts,” says Luke, who is also a chef and member of the 14-strong kitchen team.

“My sous chef Deborah Stratford has been with us for more than five years and is very talented.”

He adds: We adapt the menu but the core remains the same, and people keep coming back. Steak night on a Wednesday is really popular.”

Free-from dishes include chicken, sweet potato and spinach curry and plant-based home-made pepper, bean and vegetable chilli.

The stylish dining room

Another look inside

Timothy Taylor’s Landlord is the resident beer, with guest ales on a rotation. “We have some great premium lagers as well.”

The welcoming inn, which dates back to 1877, sits at the top of the village, with easy access across West Yorkshire on the nearby A650.

“It is very much a village pub - we get lots of regulars, some people have drinking and dining with us for years. Some come on the same day and at the same time every week,” says Luke.

“Because of our location we also get many customers from towns such as Birstall, Huddersfield, Morley, Leeds and Wakefield.”

Staff member Eileen manning the pumps

The Railway is owned by Richard Thewlis, who is also proprietor at The Bankhouse Inn, Pudsey.

“I have worked for Richard and his family for years, and been at The Railway for seven,” says Luke. “It is a very friendly atmosphere to work in - we are like a big family.”

After lockdown the pub was fully refurbished. Open-plan, with a spacious bar area, it is stylish and comfortable. “We have a log burner so it’s cosy in winter; we have got Chesterfield armchairs and sofas. People can come and have something to eat and drink, and relax. We like to see them enjoying themselves.”

There's plenty of room outside

Outside, a paved area with benches is a great place to sit and watch the world go by. “It’s a real sun trap - we have the umbrellas up on hot days for anyone who wants a bit of shade.”

Adds Luke: “At Christmas we have a 30ft tree at the front of the pub - lots of people from the village come to see the lights switch-on. Children love it.”

*The Railway, 1 Birstall Lane, Drighlington, Bradford BD11 1JJ; railwayinn2.org.uk