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The Railway Arms (Free House)

We believe this building is NO LONGER a pub

Beer (sort)Average Score (sort)No. Samples (sort)
Evolution - No. 2Excellent1
St Austell - TributeExcellent2
Cotleigh - Old BuzzardExcellent1
Elgood's - North Brink PorterExcellent1
Humpty Dumpty - Hop Harvest GoldGood1
Two Rivers - Porters Pride - Stronger VersionGood1
Sharp's - Doom BarNot Tried0
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)Not Tried0
Picture 1. The Railway Arms, Downham Market, Norfolk
Picture 2. The Railway Arms, Downham Market, Norfolk
Picture 3. The Railway Arms, Downham Market, Norfolk

Visits Details

03 Apr 2014 (HSB)
19:40 Swift half before getting the train home. Tried the Two Rivers beer and met the brewer. Amazed to see a place like this stocking Doom Bar.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Two Rivers - Porters Pride - Stronger Version5.80GoodLittle bit sweeter.
Sharp's - Doom Bar4.00Not Tried
10 Dec 2013 (ChrisE)
A really nice place to enjoy good ale. It is important to check opening times on the pub's web site before travelling to this pub, our train arrived at 12:07 and the pub shuts at 12:10 on a Tuesday so it was closed by the time we got across the level crossing, but we made good use of the afternoon session which was 15:30 to 17:30, the pub does open later on other days. A superb friendly pub, I hope to return.
BeerABVScoreNotes
St Austell - Tribute4.20Excellent
Cotleigh - Old Buzzard4.80Excellent
20 Jun 2013 (HSB)
Last stop before my train home. Fairly busy. A good atmosphere.
BeerABVScoreNotes
St Austell - Tribute4.20Good
21 Mar 2013 (HSB)
Went to Downham to photograph pubs for my collection. Had time to wait for train, pub was open, no brainer.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Evolution - No. 24.80Excellent
17 Nov 2011 (ChrisE)
Fortunately one member of our group had read the amendments to the 2012 Good Beer Guide, so we knew the opening hours had changed. This was my first visit here, and I was very impressed, this is a wonderful place to relax and miss your train.
BeerABVScoreNotes
Elgood's - North Brink Porter5.00Excellent
Humpty Dumpty - Hop Harvest Gold4.90GoodA seasonal brew from Humpty Dumpty using English hops, including East Kent Goldings. We had several of these and emptied the cask.
Shepherd Neame - Spitfire (or Spitfire Amber Ale)4.20Not TriedThis replaced the Humpty Dumpty beer which ran out.

About The Railway Arms

The pub sign. The Railway Arms, Downham Market, Norfolk

Summary of Beer Scores

 Total
Exceptional-
Excellent4
Good3
Acceptable-
Poor-

The pub is found in Downham Market, Norfolk, PE38 9EN.

A former Sub Post Office situated on the up platform at Downham Market railway station, this pub also serves as a station waiting room. There is an impressive library, and a vinyl record collection. Real coal fires give the feel of a small front room. In 2013 judged to be CAMRA's National Cider and Perry Pub of the Year - judges said it was ‘A quirky, fun little place to be’ and ‘a good reason to miss your train’. A printed sign in the window on October 24th 2016 said: “The Railway Arms and Fenland Express are closed. Further to a proposed rent increase, which we regard as excessive and which in our view would adversely affect the viability of the business, we have reluctantly taken the decision to cease trading with immediate effect. We wish to thank all of our customers and staff (past and present) for their loyalty and support over the past 7 years." Subsequently converted into a station cafe/coffee shop.

We have visited this pub 5 times, seen 8 different beers and tried 6 of them.

Map location

Postcode: PE38 9EN