Pub of the Week: The Station, Blaxton - new era for old RAF Finningley watering hole beside the railway

And the reason is that, when the lines were laid down all over the map, at so many new stations there were pubs built as a conveniently adjacent watering hole and place of refreshment for the smut-covered traveller. Our featured choice in this case, still stands right next to the Doncaster to Gainsborough railway line, and adjacent to the platforms that once served Finningley Station. The actual pub building is just a smidge away from the sign that tells you that you are about to leave the Blaxton boundary and enter into Finningley village. The remaining platforms, still structurally intact, and The Station itself, have seen quite a bit of history in the making over the years, since so many RAF personnel must have used them as they came back from leave, or went off on missions elsewhere. In recent years, the pub itself has had a major make-over, lifting it from being a rather gloomy and “seen better days” boozer, into a place that is clearly looking forward. It is now bright, modern (without losing character) and getting in a regular and very supportive clientele. The ancient wooden beams instantly tell you that it has been around for quite some while, long before the more modern frontage was added. It is cosy, and comfy, and there are a lot of scatter cushions for them as want to have a good lounge around. One bar is dedicated to sports, there’s a proper restaurant area, and my lowly but very tasty ham sandwich snack was possibly the best for quite some while. The menu is broad in its variety, with a good selection of stonebaked pizzas (they also deliver), and a nice range of traditional dishes, with portions are on the hearty side. Pity that there are few good hand-pulled ales, but heigh-ho, the wine list is sensible and not over the top. Things have changed here, and it’s all for the better.