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.

Robin Hood Inn, Baslow

After a four-mile walk, the first thing you want to find is a warm welcome, rather than wrangling over whether we had booked or not. However, the service got friendlier from then on, the food arrived promptly and the beer was refreshing and served up in bespoke glasses. Most of us had a lovely pint of Boondoggle, from the Ringwood Brewery but Hobgoblin, from Wychwood and Marston's Pedigree were also available. We sat outside in lovely autumnal sunshine but inside there were a couple of comfortably furnished rooms. All in all, a good pub.

Beehive Inn, Peasehill, Ripley

Despite the nostalgic 'Home Ales' sign, the Beehive, in all honesty, doesn't look that welcoming from the outside. However, what treats lay within! The front door gives into a tap room with TV and traditional pub games. Three beers were on offer here and we all chose something light and refreshing. On the direction on the landlady, we proceeded through the bar and out the back towards the Honeypot bar - a sort of shed conversion to provide an outlet for beer brewed on the premises. It offered a further four real ales and some basic seating accommodation. It seemed popular with the locals and it's easy to understand why, especially at £2.70/£2,80 a pint.

The Three Stags' Heads, Darley Bridge

Unexpectedly busy for a Tuesday night, the TSH offered a small range of ales: the ubiquitous Landlord, and a couple from Peak Ales. We had the Best Bitter and it was in good order and competitively priced at £2.90. There was a crowd of cyclists in, being served chips and other diners consuming well-priced pub grub. It seemed like a good place and well worth a second visit.

Barrington's, The Whitworth, Darley Dale

A decent pint of Farmer's Blonde, from the Bradfield Brewery was on offer at the newly-refurbished 'Barrington's' in the Whitworth Centre but was unattractively priced at £3.60. Doubtless, the punters are paying for the improvements. The surroundings are pleasant enough, although it's clearly pitched itself at attracting diners more than drinkers. The food being consumed by all our fellow patrons looked nouveau-cusinish, so probably over-priced too. Not worth a second visit.

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'.