The Watts Russell Arms, Hopedale

"The Watts Russell Arms is a charming eighteenth century stone built inn" is how the website describes it and it is indeed a fine pub to look at and was a very welcome venue for our lunch after a 5-mile walk over from Ilam. "Charming" is, however, not an adjective applying readily to the people who run it. "Odd" would be nearer the mark. Having said that, they did come up with some fine ale (two from Thornbridge and one other from somewhere dark and foreboding) and the menu was excellent. Three of us went for goat curry, one for 'Lobby' (a beef stew) and one for a sweet potato stew. All were tasty, albeit a little cold. They also do a tapas menu, of an evening, at £4 a dish. The furnishings and decor are ramshackle but all the better for that. I'd go back.  


More information at: http://www.wattsrussell.co.uk/

The Remarkable Hare, Matlock

It's slightly unusual, in the grand scheme of things, for two similar bars/pubs to open up next door to each other but, increasingly, in Dale Road, that seems to be the trend. So the Remarkable Hare has opened up right next door to the well-regarded Moca Bar and makes a similiar offer - good beers and ambient surroundings. A word first about those. The seating to the side of the bar is the usual mixture of tables, chairs and fitted furniture. However, directly in front of the bar are three parallel dining tables, bedecked with candles and accompanying dining chairs. Odd. The lighting, too, is subdued. The beer is a treat. 5 breweries are represented and the owner has made the decision to price them all at £3, making everything, including choice, so much easier. Details are available on the website. Overall, a solid addition to Matlock, expanding the scope of good places for beer lovers.

Promotional material available at:  www.remarkablehare.co.uk/

The Town Street Tap, Duffield

We had previously tried three times to visit this newly-opened establishment in Duffield but either found it closed (open Wed - Sun only) or already too full. So we went early on a Thursday and found it, at 7.15, warming up, but with a free corner table. This micropub has no bar and offers table service. The waiting staff (blokes) are knowledgeable about what they've got in and ready and willing to bring you more beer when you look as if you need some. There were 3/4 different beers on offer and those chosen arrived without any head or with a very thin one, so, if you like value for money, this is a place to go. One of our number, I'm ashamed to report, opted for a "craft lager", obviously blind to the second word. Pleasingly, he lived to regret the choice. Popular with locals, it filled up by about 8pm and, therein, revealed its one drawback - noise. It contains no soft-furnishings and so all the noise reverberates and it became increasingly difficult to hear conversation. That aside, a great place.
Promotional material available at: http://www.thetownstreettap.co.uk/

The Old Black Swan, Crich

Until a few months ago, this was a locals pub - a bit dowdy and, as I remember, with teacups hanging from the ceiling. It's now had a facelift, been taken over by the excellent Ashover Brewery and has added a mysterious rear bar to its facilities. The rear bar was shut on the night we visited but, evidently, offers an illuminated horse trough. So much for the curios, what of the beer? Well, a fine range - at least eight on handpump on the bar and, allegedly, six ciders to choose from, if you like that sort of thing. The welcome was warm, there was a fire in the woodburner and comfortable seating abounded. The Old Black Swan is now a promising alternative to The Cliff as the must-visit pub in Crich.

The Bluebell, South Wingfield

The number of times each of  us has driven past the Bluebell is beyond number but, now that the "Watch Sky Sports Here" banner has been taken down and it's obviously been spruced up, the Bluebell looked worth a visit. We weren't exactly treated like long-lost friends but the service was adequate and the choice of beers satisfactory. Their apparent boast is that there's always a £2 beer on offer (something from a brewery in Cornwall but this was nowhere near as flavoursome as the Boltcutter from Timothy Taylor's at £3.20 a pint. The surroundings were nice enough - some interesting old treadle tables - and a nice woodburning stove gave the place cheer. A little under-populated which is a shame for a place that's made an attempt to become a proper pub and not gone down the food line. In face the food choices are scant but honest. Worth stopping, if you're passing and a good alternative to the more-frequented Yew Tree nearby.

The Adelphi, Leeds

When in Leeds, turn south out of the station and head south and go over the River Aire at Bridge End. The Adelphi is on the left-hand corner opposite. A fantastic Victorian pub with three interior rooms downstairs and the promise of more upstairs. Although plying its trade as a place to eat, it has retained a devotion to serving good beer and the barman is informative about the different beers on offer. I had a pint (two, in fact) of Leeds Pale and it lived up to its name and, at 3.8% was just sufficiently intoxicating. Reminiscent of the Royal Philharmonic Rooms in Liverpool, this is definitely one to make the effort to visit - if you find yourself in Leeds, that is!

The Red Lion, Matlock Green

Although this was, initially, a second choice, on an evening when we had intended to go elsewhere but found the White Lion at Starkholmes unexpectedly shut, the Red Lion turned out to be an acceptable alternative. The interior is extensive with games and a TV at one end and a range of old-fashioned but reasonably comfortable seating in other parts, some of which are on a raised level. The bar offered 3 real ales and we had one of them which was well-kept and hoppy in flavour. The service was functional more than friendly but, then again, we weren't regulars.