The Royal Oak, Wetton

This was our lunchtime stopping point on our recent autumn walk and very pleasant it was too. A reliable indicator of a good pub is how difficult it is to get in and that was certainly true on a glorious Sunday in early October. However, because we'd had the foresight to book a table, we were very quickly sat down in the back bar enjoying pints of Hartington IPA and something maltier from Worthington's. The back bar also offered some acoustic respite from a group of folk mourners who were churning out some tunes completely inappropriate to a lovely autumn day. The food arrived promptly and we had attentive, though not fussy, service throughout. All in all, a lovely country pub to stop off at - but book first!

The Amber Hotel, Somercotes/Oakerthorpe

Despite counting 19 cars in the very extensive car park, there were only about a dozen folk in the bar. They did, though, all turn to look at us as we walked in. Waiting for God(ot) came to mind. The short bar held two ales - Spitfire and one from The St Austell Brewery 'Proper Job'. Both were fine. The whole place had the air of faded grandeur (much like the regulars) and to the far side of the bar was an area which had once delighted to the tinkle of a piano and the slow waltz of ladies in elegant gowns. Now it's full of tables and only accommodates fried food and bingo. An experience, though not one worth repeating.

The Horse & Jockey, Wessington

The strange green exterior illumination should not put you off visiting this delightful village pub. Inside, we found a proper open fire, a pleasant open arrangement of seating, an attentive barman and a small selection of good beers. I had a refreshing pint of a golden ale, "Glory Daze" from the Bumpmill Brewery. Although it was 'Pie & a Pint' night (£8.95), it was quiet and it got quieter. There were two blokes sat by themselves, hoping desperately that someone they knew would come in. It probably needs a quiz night to get some life back in...

The Duke of York, Elton

The Duke of York fits nicely in a bracket with the Barley Mow at Kirk Ireton - pubs run by families with little attention to the fads of the modern world. It doesn't open till 8.30 - there's no need when there's only three regulars. It only offered one beer (Marston's Burton Bitter) which was perfectly palatable without being very flavoursome. There's also an eclectic mixture of other stuff, displayed above the bar in bottles and cans. The open fire was welcoming and the fantastic fireplace quite imposing. The landlady was kindly, although slightly hard of hearing. Worth a visit if you're passing at an appropriate hour.

The Druid Inn, Birchover

Birchover is a place we've been several times previously but always to visit the woodenly atmospheric Red Lion. The Druid had been through some changes of management and we were responding to information that it had, recently, been turned back into a pub that does food (rather than a restaurant with a small bar attached). Fortunately that did turn out to be the case and we found a selection (albeit small) of beers, from Kelham Island, Buxton Brewery and one other. All beers were on the sharp side of 'bitter' and were slightly disappointing, in terms of richness of flavour. The surroundings were conducive, apparently refurbished, but appearing to be traditional in tone. The welcome was warm and the young man behind the bar was very ready with information. A good addition to the Birchover repertoire.

The Bull's Head, Monyash

The Bull's Head is a pub, teetering on that cusp between pub and restaurant. Thankfully, it hasn't (yet) tilted over into devoting itself entirely to meals, as have so many others, and retains an essentially pub-like interior. The welcome was warm and the one young woman serving on did an excellent job of keeping everybody happy. There was a selection of beers to be had and all reports were favourable. There is, of course, nothing wrong with pubs providing fodder for the tired walker and the food we ordered arrived promptly. A range of standard pub classics did not disappoint. If you're in or passing through Monyash, it's well worth a stop.

The Five Lamps, Derby

This was easily my favourite and the one pub I'd go back to without hesitation, if I was in the area (or even if I wasn't!). Their website has details of all that is on offer there but it's an impressive interior and, apparently carries a range of 14 cask ales. We tried to eponymous Five Lamps ale and it was fine. However, by that stage in the evening, we all were on halves and this pub would warrant an evening devoted to itself and the full range of its offerings. Go there.

The Seven Stars, Derby

We pondered a little on the origin of the name but came to no obvious conclusions. This is a pub with an underfloor lit well, nice clean toilets, a small range of good beer - I forget what - (perhaps I should take more notes during our visits), low ceilings and a barmaid who was friendly enough to suggest we try the beers before we buy. However, the downside is the number of amusements available - there seemed to be either a slot machine or a TV screen on every wall and it was all a bit too much for such an enclosed space. Shame, but I suppose pubs have to make money somehow.

The Flowerpot, Derby

The Flowerpot is well-known as a music venue, in Derby, but serves well as a boozer, too. There was a fine range and I had a pint of something suitably summery from Mallinson's Brewery of Huddersfield. The layout of the rooms inside is very rough-and-ready but they're probably more used to accommodating denim-clad youths than middle-aged beer hunters, in search of a quiet spot for a good pint. Anyway, the barmaid was smiley and quite happy to advise on suitable beers. I'd go back but pick my night carefully to avoid the music.

The Furnace Inn, Derby

It took a bit of finding but, at the end of a walk through Darley Abbey Park, we came upon the Furnace, as recommended by CAMRA. It fits well with the type of pub that CAMRA loves - good range of well-kept beers, untrendy and clearly beloved of the locals. We all had a blondish ale which was sharp and well-suited to a summer evening, though I can't remember exactly what it was. The beers are listed inside the door in order from dark to pale. The interior had seen better days but was preferable to the beer 'garden' with its view of sectional concrete garages. A good pub but not a gem.

The White Hart Inn, Bargate

Of course, it was the pork pies that lured us in but we found it to be a delightful pub with fairly recently refurbished surroundings, a good range of beers and the pies in their own display case. That said, the range of pies was not as extensive as that of The Holly Bush at Makeney, but they were substantial, meaty and accompanied by Colman's mustard, delicious. There was more fodder on offer too - free, courtesy of a skittles match taking place that evening. The beers were from several breweries (Hardy Hansons, Morlands, Bass and others) and the beer was well-kept and refreshing. Not quite the style, beer range or quirky interior of the nearby Dead Poet's, Holbrook, but it did have pies!

Hawkshead Brewery, Staveley, Cumbria

Sometimes, you look for one thing and find something else just as good. So it was, as we went off in search of Wilf's Cafe on an unlikely-looking industrial estate in the bypassed village of Staveley and found the Hawkshead Brewery in the shiny new premises shown above. It was buzzing with an early-evening crowd of mostly youngish people and we were welcomed adequately. Between us, we tried a range of hawkshead's offerings (Lakeland Gold, Red, Windermere pale) and were all delighted with our choices. The food was quickly and deliciously served and, all in all, a good outcome. We'll come back for Wilf's another time, wiser for knowing it closes at 5pm.

The Newfield Inn, Seathwaite, Cumbria

The Club went on tour, this Easter, to the Lake District and, specifically, to the beautiful Duddon Valley. We stayed in this pub, renting the top flat for £45 a night, drank some lovely ale (Corby Ale and Catnap from Carlisle-based Cumberland Breweries) and ate some good food - regular pub grub at the usual prices. The welcome was very friendly and unobtrusive, as from a slightly bygone era. Co-incidentally, the top flat also seemed locked in a 1970s timewarp, with all fixtures and fittings carefully retained. Good for that, though.

The Bear, Alderwasley

 

When five customers turn up at an almost empty pub bar you might, at least, expect someone to take your order. But in our case, after waiting several minutes, we had to ask the barman to serve us. Feeling thoroughly unwelcome, despite the cosy stove and well-worn furniture and fittings, we were next shocked to be charged £3.50 per pint for perfectly ordinary, if satisfactory, beers. This price is near our all-time record for Derbyshire, and it was hard to see any justification for it. Perhaps they are only interested in catering for diners - in which case see recent reviews of the food on Tripadvisor!

Needless to say we didn't stay for a second round, but spent the rest of the evening in a decent pub - the Royal Oak in Wirksworth ....

Alexandra Hotel, Derby

Just along from the railway station and passing the temptations of the Brunswick, we popped into the Alex and were suitably impressed. Allegedly the birthplace of Derby CAMRA, the beers are listed on the wall and colour-coded for style. The high-ceilinged rooms give the pub a grand feeling and the seating was adequate without too many concessions to comfort. The beer was good and, since we all chose a pint from the Castle Rock Brewery, we're half-way now towards a free pint - always an incentive to return!

The Exeter Arms, Derby

What an outstanding pub! A warm welcoming, solicitous and knowledgeable bar staff and a good range of beers, seating and rooms all contributed to a lovely couple of pints in this rather out of the way pub. Dancing Duck beers featured strongly but there was also Pedigree and maybe others I've overlooked. The bartendress couldn't have been more helpful, advising on beers, delivering them with a smile and being prepared to change a pint drawn from the end of the barrel. An exceptionally good pub.

The Miners' Arms, Brassington

The usual destination in Brassington is The Gate, and this has not lost its appeal despite the somewhat frosty reception we often encounter, but we decided to try out the Miners' Arms and were not disappointed. There was a pleasant welcome from both landlord and regulars alike, there was food available (left over from an earlier funeral) and a good range of beers, primarily from Jennings Brewery in the Lake District. Comfortable seating, albeit in a slightly stretch-out arrangement (the pub's much longer than it is wide). Well worth another visit.