Anyone making a long day or weekend of it should visit the village of Tarporley about 10 miles from Crewe, and have a couple of decent Robinson's ales in The Rising Sun. Recently refurbished pub that also does excellent food. Also the Swan Hotel keeps some good local ales. My father-in-law still lives in the village. Try it, you'll like it.
Certainly a long day (leaving Oxford at 7.30am) but making a 'weekend' of Crewe away is pushing it a bit!