Urmston can be reached directly by both bus and train. The Transpennine Express train is quicker, but the bus, with its £2 'hourly' fare* ticket may be more convenient for anyone journeying from Didsbury. The 23 bus is direct instead of having to journey to Stockport or change trains in Manchester. The drawback is the journey times, around an hour by bus as against the half hour by train (if it isn't cancelled!).
* Multiple Bee buses can be used as long as all journeys start within an hour of the issue of the ticket!

Our first port of call will be the Tim Bobbin, the outlet of JD Wetherspoon in Urmston. The building has an impressive façade, hinting at Art Nouveau and/or an institutional building, and was reportedly a former gas showroom. Food is available and, if you intend indulging in their meal plus a pint offering, don't rush to order your pint before ordering your meal (unless you intend drinking two pints!) We will be reaching Tim Bobbin at around 11:30am, so the breakfast menu will still be available for those desiring such a meal.

Our second establishment is next door but three, where we will be visiting the Prairie Schooner. It falls in to a twilight zone, though described as a micro bar, it is actually far bigger than some proper pubs such as the Circus in Manchester. They champion LocAles so most of the draught beers should be local, unlike the 200 plus bottles and cans which are sourced from all over the UK, the continent and America [I assume the US of A]. Lovers of whisky, gin and wine will also find something of interest.

Just around the corner the Auld Chimp sounds like a new outlet. In some respects it is, but this is the updated Old Station/Steamhouse of old. Extensively re-furbished and re-opened in February 2025, it has however suffered (a rather late?) Irish makeover, so expect lots of green, shamrocks and Gaelic Football shirts. To cause much confusion in any Irish visitor, not only is there Guinness, but also Murphy's — Oh! The dilemma. However real ale drinkers needn't panic, up to four beers will be on the bar. Back to the building - this station is on the Cheshire Lines Committee Liverpool to Manchester line, and is one of the original stations, meaning it was constructed in 1873. The building on the Manchester bound platform is, however, a new build, so of no interest to historians. The Auld Chimp also does food, but unfortunately only Friday to Sunday, so anyone still hungry will have to seek out a Greggs (other outlets are available).

To visit our third outlet requires a short walk towards Stretford (about 10 minutes) which brings us to our {probable} penultimate destination, the Lord Nelson.

Supposedly the Nellie, ie the Lord Nelson, has adorned Urmston since the time of the Battle of Trafalgar [Historic account of Lord Nelson], in what is described as a French-style building. When Britain was still at war with Napoleon it is confusing why a French style was adopted, but why let logic get in the way of a good story. Whatever its history this Holts pub still serves its community well, with beer reputedly delivered in barrels at busy times. It is also one of a dwindling number which offer both mild and bitter, accompanied by another offering from Holts. Though often quieter in the afternoons it is usually still generously frequented by the aforementioned locals. As a youngster, your author was once tasked with obtaining a carry-out from here. "Yes, if you have a container." replied the person behind the bar — Imagine their surprise when a Jerry can was proffered along with an order for 12 pints!

We now have an option of a 10 to 15 minute diversion to take in BrewChimp. This is a modern micro bar (having previously been a tool-hire shop) which now offers up to four real ales (and several keg lines). If we do decide to include BrewChimp, don't walk too fast as it doesn't open until 4pm in the week. There used to be a sister outlet in Flixton, but that closed down mid-summer. This will also demand a further 15 minute return walk to take in our last establishment.

For our final destination we need to backtrack towards the station where we will visit the Barking Dog, which is located in the former post office building, some features of which may be spotted in the new premises. The bar boasts five handpulls (one of which is invariably a Dunnam Massey mild), and there is also an extensive bottle option (in side room to right of the bar). This also leads to a hidden snug. Food is also available should you be hungry (or desiring an early evening meal!) which includes home cooked pies as well as platters and pizzas. Due to a bit of cunning planning by the organiser Tuesday club means there is a £3.50 per pint cask ales and a double stamp per pint on the loyalty card. So if you plan staying a little longer, who knows, you may generate that loyalty pint.

Now it is back home, but for some un-obvious reason, all those through trains that stop on the way to Liverpool fail to pick up on their return. Is this discrimination against Liverpudlians? So if returning by train, all journeys need to be broken at Oxford Road [bus travellers won't have their journey broken].

Arrive	Leave	Pub	Address	Food
10:45am	10:45am	Meet in Stockport rail station
10:54am	11:18am	Transpennine Express Train direct to Urmston. Also calls at Piccadilly at 11:07am and Oxford Road at 11:11am.
11:30am	12:45pm	Tim Bobbin	41 Flixton Road, Urmston M41 5AN	Food
12:50pm	1:45pm	Prairie Schooner	33 Flixton Road, Urmston M41 5AW
1:50pm	2:45pm	Auld Chimp	Station Road, Urmston, M41 9SB	Not Tuesday
3:00pm	4:00pm	Lord Nelson	49 Stretford Road, Urmston M41 9LG
Possible diversion - Involves a 10 to 15 minute walk. No suitable bus.
4:00m	4:45pm	BrewChimp	192 Church Road, Urmston, M41 9FD
Main route
4:15pm	5:15m	Barking Dog	9A Higher Road, Urmston M41 9AB	Food
4:49pm 5:23pm 5:49pm 6:20pm	5:24pm 5:53pm 6:24pm 6:54pm	There are no direct train connections to Stockport! All entail a change at Oxford Road 5:02pm Get off at Oxford Road then at 5:09pm board TransPennine Express towards Cleethorpes 5:33pm Get off at Oxford Road then at 5:39pm board East Midlands Railway towards Nottingham 6:02pm Get off at Oxford Road then at 6:09pm board TransPennine Express towards Cleethorpes 6:33pm Get off at Oxford Road then at 6:39pm board East Midlands Railway towards Norwich