Cliff Inn, Crich

 

The Cliff has recently aquired new owners who have re-established the atmosphere cultivated by the Calladines some years ago.  They are friendly and welcoming,  surprisingly, a rare quality now-a-days.
There is a good selection of well kept beers and home made food - the pizzas are highly recommended.
There are several different themes throughout the week, eg, a quiz night, raffle, horticultural group, cycling meet and folk evenings.
A truly local pub.

Where's the Pub?

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Hope and Anchor, Wirksworth

Is this the worst pub in Derbyshire? Probably not, but it's doing its best to win that dubious title. We visited on a chilly winter evening, when the elaborate fireplace stood fireless and the radiators were stone cold. Unsurprisingly the bar was nearly empty, and when several of us ordered pints of the local Wirksworth brew we discovered why. For the first time in our recent experience the beer was undrinkable. Not just a bit unappetising, but horrible. Yet when - reluctantly - we pointed this out to the barmaid she told us that ' the locals liked it'. Clearly we were neither local (though only four miles from home) nor real beer connoisseurs. Are we going back? In your dreams (or nightmares).

Easter Walk

Red Lion, Birchover

Cork Stone

Flying Childers, Stanton

Peak Tor, Rowsley

A fantastic day's walking, talking, and standing-and-staring was only marginally inconvenienced by rain and map reading. Setting off from Winster, we took a rather circular route to Birchover but it served a purpose as we arrived at The Red Lion in Birchover exactly at opening time (12.00). There a fine, low-powered (2.8%) pale ale was enjoyed by most of us. Onward from there, the weather took a turn for the worse and showers turned to rain, as we trekked upwards across Stanton Moor, stopping only to watch the one member of the party who'd had a stronger beer, climb the Cork Stone (quite nimbly, it has to be said!). From there, we plunged down into Stanton, to find a welcome of soup (watercress) and sandwiches at the Flying Childers. Pints of a refreshing hoppy ale called "Storm" were consumed. The next stage was a real treat. The sun had come out and, as we set out northwards from Stanton, a whole view of the Wye Valley opened out before us. The interesting earthworks of Peak Tor were a prelude to tea and cake in Caudwell's Mill. Aaah!. Even the buses ran to time.

The Forester's Arms, Jersey

Not being one to shirk on my responsibilities, I put in an extra shift, even whilst away on holiday. Attracted in by the claim to be Jersey's oldest alehouse, I ventured inside to find a rather dingy interior but with pleasing architectural features. The locals (3) were friendly, ribald and taking loud delight in the frisky antics of their two Staffordshire bull terriers, who were clearly scenting Spring. Only one real ale on offer, so my hopes weren't high but it turned out to be a refreshingly clean ale. The name 'Liberation' is applied to many things in Jersey and it did stand out from an army of mass-produced lagers on the bar. Altogether not unpleasant..