The Crispin Inn, Ashover

Now it's an easy thing to overlook the Crispin, given its proximity to the fabulous Poets' Corner but it turned out to be surprisingly good. Although we sat outside, till it started raining, the interior is comfortable, wooden and varied. The bar had, as well as some fizzy pop from Mansfield Brewery, Pedigree, Oxford Gold and two from Jennings Brewery, Cumbria. On the night, the Oxford Gold (4.0%) was OK but Jennings' 'Cooker Hoop' (4.5%)was better, with a cleaner hoppy finish. The girl behind the bar was doing everything (serving drinks, taking food orders, serving meals, tidying up) but doing it all with good grace and a friendly smile. One to go to, even if you don't combine it with a trip to the Poets'.

George & Dragon, Bridge St., Belper

Just down from Strutt's Mill, the G&D makes a good start to a pub crawl in Belper. It looks like a proper pub and is. There's a range of styles of seating, a range of reasonable beers and a range of 1970s rock music on the jukebox (a connection to the live music that's sometimes on offer). If you want tradition mixed with noise, it's a place to go.

The Rifleman's Arms, Bridge St., Belper

A very friendly welcome, a bar dotted, on a Tuesday evening, with locals and a choice of 3/4 nice beers might all pull you into this pub and it's not a bad pub. However, it lacks a little in atmosphere as a result of slightly over-bright lighting and functionally clean furnishings. I think the beer was OK but there wasn't enough to keep us here with so much local competition.

Arkwright's Real Ale Bar, Campbell St., Belper

In many ways, the polar opposite of the Lion Hotel. Unprepossessing from the outside but glorious within. As many beer choices as any man could hope for, a reasonable array of seating and it was full on a Tuesday evening (although, in fairness, there was a skittles match on). An interesting innovation was that the skittles match, taking place in an alley to the side of the bar, was shown on a closed-circuit TV screen in the bar. Arkwrights won and the players tucked into some fine looking food, as a reward. Well worth several visits.

The Lion Hotel, Bridge St., Belper

More of a poodle parlour than a place for drinkers and perhaps a bit full of its own reputation as a 18th century coaching inn, the bar area, nonetheless, offered comfortable seating. The beer was reasonably presented but expensive. Beer-in-the-evening comments are quite complimentary about this place but it wouldn't be my pub of choice.

Puss in Boots, Windley

The twin attractions for this pub are its name and its rather pleasant beer garden. However, that's not enough to justify a visit. Its location is in the hinterland west of the A6, between Wirksworth and Duffield, so it takes a little finding and when you do, there are only two beers on offer - Draught Bass and Pedigree. The first was acceptable but the Pedigree wasn't. To be fair, the landlord changed it without any fuss but he might do better to get some more beers in. These days, there's no excuse for being a two-beer pub.

Rykneld Turnpike, Clay Cross

The exterior is so modest that a carload of enthusiastic drinkers missed it on the first pass. Inside, though, it's a treat. The seating is extensive, comfortable and full of that chunky wooden furniture you see in lots of places now. The bar is slightly small but full of beer pumps, serving several types of good ale, thoughtfully arranged in sample jars in front of the pumps. We were lucky to arrive on a Tuesday when selected beers are on offer for £2; these were tasty- the "Spring Green" went down particularly well. The lady serving on was friendly and the whole place had an atmosphere you wouldn't guess at from how it looks outside.