The Gate Inn, Tansley

For long-standing locals to the area, the newly swanked-up interior of the Gate might come as a bit of a surprise. Like many other local pubs, it has gone down the food line but is obviously equally keen to maintain its role as a boozer. The, by now, usual array of beers ('Doombar', 'Landlord') were augmented by a light hoppy 'Ay Up' from the Dancing Duck Brewery in Derby, which went down very well. There was a fourth choice but I've forgotten what it was. Tansley's a village now with three pubs, all quite similar in their offerings (well, the Royal Oak is less of a boozer), so a good spot for an evening's drinking.

The Steam Packet Inn, Swanwick

This was a bit of a disappointment in beer terms. We'd gone there on the strength of its offering a discount to CAMRA members (and, indeed, it did - 15p a pint, as I remember) but the beer itself was non-descript at best. I forget what was on offer but it was completely self-effacing and we left after one pint. Shame.