Festival Thursday

Last week it was time for an event that has effectively become an annual pilgrimage and one which I am determined never to miss. I, of course, refer to the Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival held, once again, at Nottingham Castle. This is the 41st year of the event and my 5th consecutive visit since I first made an appearance there in 2012.

This year we did things slightly differently to prior visits. Unable to get the Saturday off due to work commitments, Amy and I opted instead for the Thursday session which, as well as being considerably quieter, led to the chance of more beer and an always welcome opportunity to meet up with George and Claire. Sadly, Matt couldn't make it any earlier than the Saturday so he was unable to join us. Nevertheless, what followed was an excellent experience that well and truly reinforced that this is the best festival of its type anywhere in the world.

We arrived at the castle fairly early, around 11.30, with Amy meeting me following an early delivery shift at work (for me, not her). We were immediately surprised by the lack of a queue, especially given that we hadn't procured tickets this year and were buying on the door. This was not an issue at all though as we were inside almost instantly, clutching our commemorative glasses and beer tokens (as usual, 5 extra for me due to CAMRA membership).

Our first destination, after a brief exploration of the relatively unchanged layout, was the lower area near the bandstand which, although smaller than the main marquee further up, was easier to access for now and offered an interesting range of beers to choose from. As usual, the beers were arranged in alphabetical order of brewery with a larger choice in the main marquee as well as a number of dedicated brewery bars and the lower tent which features lots more! My first tipple of the day was highly seasonal. With Halloween just around the corner, I was instantly drawn to Fright Night, the solitary festival beer from Pennine Brewery, based out of Batley, West Yorkshire. At an easy drinking 4%, this is an amber ale with a roasted bitterness and a slightly spiced aroma. It was a very warming beer and a great start to the day that certainly got me into the mood. Using this first beer as a palate cleanser, we made our way up towards the main tent where we got our bearings and worked out what our next move would be. As it turned out, another beer was our next move and we found just the thing at one of the brewery bars, specifically that operated by Laneham based Springhead, whose beers I am more than familiar. Following recommendations by the very knowledgeable barman, I was drawn to the Blind Tiger (4.5%), an aromatic pale golden beer with full oranges added to the brew, which provided the whole thing with a slightly cloudy appearance and citrusy flavour. All in all, it was very nice indeed.

Things were progressing nicely now and, determined not to spend too much time in one area, we once again made our way down to the bottom marquee. Following a quick examination of the beers on offer, I was surprised to see a single beer from St. Austell brewery. The aptly named Bucket of Blood (4.5%) is a spicy, classic red ale with a malty toffee palate and a very nice flavour that went down much more quickly than I was expecting. It was back to the main marquee next and straight to a local brewery that I have all the time in the world for and who, once again, boasted their own bar at this year's festival. I speak, inevitably, of Blue Monkey brewery. Some serious decision making went into my choice this time. In the end, Amy and I both went for a third of Nuts (4.6%), a nut brown ale with a fruity flavour and smooth bitter afternotes. It was different to a lot of Blue Monkey beers and certainly a departure from what I expected. Blue Monkey is still flying the flag for excellent local beer and long may it continue! Continuing the back and forth that had so far been the theme of the day, we soon found ourselves back by the lower bars again and drawn to the bar of a brewery that I always make the point of visiting at every beer festival, due to both the quality of their beers and the quirkiness of their bar. Funfair Brewery had once again outdone themselves, last year's steampunk themed BBQ was now an Alice in Wonderland themed caravan, reflected admirably in their beers. My choice was Cheshire Cat (4.9%), a dark, malty, and very easy drinking strong bitter. The novelty value of this bar was once more enhanced by the serving of some of the beers (regrettably not mine) out of a teapot.

At this stage, we were at something of a quandary. We were very tempted to head back up to the main marquee, whilst also being very aware that George, Claire and Rich's arrival was imminent. In the end, fate (or something like it) intervened. As we were debating our next move, the advanced party, namely mutual friends of both myself, George and Rich (whose names are too numerous to mention) arrived and immediately headed for the Traffic Street bar. Thinking it rude not to get involved, we quickly did the same. An offshoot of Castle Rock brewery, Traffic Street specialise in speciality beers, many of which were in evidence here. Initially unsure where to progress next, I was finally swayed by the Rat Race (4.7%), a rich and biscuity red ale. Despite the relatively low ABV, it tasted a lot stronger but, thankfully, did not have too much of an adverse effect. Absorbed into the sudden increase in numbers of our group, who then decided that buying novelty traffic cone hats was the best idea in the world (it was not), we once again ventured to the main marquee which by this stage was considerably busier than it had been early doors. My beer exploration next me to the offerings of a new brewery, namely Brew York from, er, York which amongst its portfolio offered Viking DNA (5%), a very dark porter which packed a hell of a punch and was certainly worth giving up tokens for. My initial quantity of tokens was almost exhausted by now so I resolved myself to finding a decent beer to get a half of before I purchased further tokens. George and I had a discussion which led to a mutual interest in beers with amusing names, not that we weren't already fans of unfortunate/rubbish puns. To that end, the only place to really go by this stage was into the realms of Staggeringly Good Brewery, from my home town of Portsmouth!! At 6.5%, Velocirapture was worth a taste for the hilarious name alone. This strong (very strong!), American IPA was delicious, hoppy and smooth as well as adding another notch in the belt of a city that already boasts Charles Dickens and a football team on the verge of a return to greatness.

Our next step was to purchase more tokens which took next to no time and then it was straight back to the brewery bars. I was intrigued to see what Grafton Brewery had to offer this year. Renowned for their use of unusual flavours in their beers, they had been responsible for the excellent green beer last year. Between the small group of us, we opted for a range of the beers that were being proferred our way this year with myself being drawn to the Chocolate Mint Delight. This 4.8% stout was flavoured with peppermint, chocolate and coffee/cocoa flavours and was deceptively delicious. Fair play to Grafton for daring to go against the masses and produce beers that aim to be different. At this stage, Amy, George, Claire and myself once again headed back down to the lower area, making a bee line for the tent which was shared by Black Iris and Totally Brewed. Torn between the 2, George and I eventually opted for beers from the Totally Brewed stable, with my choice being 4 Hopmen of the Apocalypse (5.2%) with its piney, citrus hop character and caramel note. I have to confess that I hadn't previously tried many of Totally Brewed's beers but, if this is any indication, then it's clear that I've missed out. The main marquee once again held the day's next delight, in the form of a very interesting beer from Lincoln Green, which had one of the largest selections of any brewery at this year's event. The wonderfully named Gin and Beer It (5%) is infused with juniper berries, orange, lemon peel and coriander seeds, tasting for all the world like a gin and tonic, in every way that that is a good thing.

The sheer range of beers on offer this year was truly staggering and, the longer the day went on, the more I remembered how much I love the beer festival and how empty my life was before I first experienced its wonders. Still in the main tent, it was time once again to crank up both the ABV and the flavour, this time with Monster from Edinbrew, from Edinburgh in case you hadn't guessed. At 5.7%, Monster is a golden IPA packed with lychee, mango, lime, grapefruit and orange along with some big hop flavours. Monster is about right! Continuing the theme, the next beer was straight out of Somerset, courtesy of Electric Bear from Bath. Their Livewire is a big American IPA with a massive hop kick, all at a surprisingly drinkable 5.4%. Time was definitely getting on by this stage but there was still more beer to be drunk before the day was out. The taste for high strength beers was definitely catching on by now as my next choice was the 5.6% Aurora from Lewes based Burning Sky. A pale ale with big citrus and hop flavours, it went down far too easily and it became clear that I probably had 2 or 3 more beers in me before it was time to call it a day.

As it would turn out, the lower bars would be our destination for the remainder of our visit. It was time to pop in to the Castle Rock tavern to see what they'd brought with them this year. Baptism of Fire (4.8%), a ginger infused amber ale, instantly caught my eye and drew my attention away from the hardcore band on the bandstand who were struggling with their sound levels. Too much guitar and not enough vocal in my unprofessional opinion. Getting their mixing desk completely wrong was Amy's very educated verdict. Time and tokens wearing on meant that there was time for 2 more beers before we departed for home. The penultimate beverage for me caught my eye from the description alone. Out of New Mills, Derbyshire, Torrside Brewery have produced Late to the Party (5.5%), a black IPA (I'm still not sure how that works), with a healthy dose of New Zealand hops and roasted dark malts.

It had come to that time of the day. The last beer. The point where you have to decide carefully exactly what you want to do with the last of your tokens. It's always a tough decision, especially when the alcohol haze sets in and you don't want to make a snap decision for fear of regretting it. Thankfully, I'm a seasoned pro at this by now and I'd been eyeing up a suitable candidate for a while. Completing this year's beer festival journey was Werewolf. Brewed by Windswept in Lossiemouth, Moray, Scotland, this is a 6% dark, strong ale infused with chilli. All in all, a worthy climactic brew for what had been, once again, an excellent festival. The weather had held out, the beer and company had been excellent and everybody involved should be very very pleased with themselves. Once again, the Robin Hood Beer Festival has shown everybody how it should be done. It's no wonder that so many people, including myself, go back year after year. It's a one of a kind experience and one that other festivals can definitely learn. Will I be there next year? Obviously. Should you be? Definitely.

Hopping around Hucknall

Last week, I decided to make my way out to a destination from which I was unsure of what to expect. Taking advantage of Nottingham's excellent tram network, I used a pleasant Thursday to head out to Hucknall for a bit of an explore of the local real ale scene.
Hucknall, formerly known as Hucknall Torkard, is a town in Nottinghamshire, in the district of Ashfield. The town was historically a centre for framework knitting and then for mining, but is now a focus for other industries as well as providing housing for workers in Nottingham. The town is notable as the site where Rolls-Royce made the first demonstration of vertical take-off (for a plane). It is also the final resting place of Lord Byron and his estranged daughter, the mathematician and pioneer computer programmer Ada Lovelace.
Hucknall is 7 miles (11 km) north-west of Nottingham on the west bank of the Leen Valley, on land which rises from the Trent Valley in the south to the hills of the county north of Kirkby-in-Ashfield. The Whyburn or 'Town Brook' flows through the town centre, and Farleys Brook marks its southern boundary.
The town’s highest point is Long Hill, (although Beauvale estate has a higher elevation and is situated at the base of Leivers Hill, commonly mistaken for Misk Hill) at 460 ft (140 m) above sea-level, with views over the city and Trent Valley, which descends to between 22 and 24 metres AOD, flowing just beyond most of the city centre.
The town is surrounded by farmland or parkland. To the north-west lie Misk Hills and Annesley. To the north-east town are the villages of Linby and Papplewick beyond these two is Newstead Abbey and its grounds, once the residence of Lord Byron. To the west lies Eastwood, birthplace of D. H. Lawrence, and the inspiration for many of his novels. To the east of the town is Bestwood Country Park.
The contiguous settlements of Butler's Hill and Westville often appear as distinct entities on maps, but are generally regarded as part of Hucknall, and are part of its historic and present-day Church of England parish, although the town itself has no civil parish council, however the identity is reinforced by being part of the post town and by being shared wards of Hucknall.

Hucknall was once a thriving market town. Its focal point is the parish church of St. Mary Magdalene, next to the town’s market square. The church was built by the Anglo-Saxons and completed after the Norman Conquest, though much of it has been restored during the Victorian era. The medieval church consisted only of a chancel, nave, north aisle and tower but it was considerably enlarged in the Victorian period. In 1872 the south aisle was added and in 1887 the unusually long transepts, while the rest of the building apart from the tower was thoroughly restored. The top stage of the tower is 14th century as is the south porch. There are 25 fine stained-glass windows by Charles Eamer Kempe which were added mostly in the 1880s. There is a modest memorial to Lord Byron.
From 1295 until 1915, the town was known as Hucknall Torkard, taken from Torcard, the name of a dominant landowning family. Signs of the old name can still be seen on some of the older buildings.
During the 19th and 20th centuries, coal was discovered and mined heavily throughout the Leen Valley, which includes Hucknall. This brought increased wealth to the town along with the construction of three railway lines.
The first was the Midland Railway (later part of the LMS) line from Nottingham to Mansfield and Worksop, closed to passengers on 12 October 1964 though partly retained as a freight route serving collieries at Hucknall, Linby and Annesley. The Hucknall station on this line was known as "Hucknall Byron" in its latter years. In the 1990s this line was reopened to passengers in stages as the Robin Hood Line, the section through Hucknall in 1993 with a new station on the site of the old "Byron", though simply called "Hucknall".
The second line was the Great Northern Railway (later part of the LNER) route up the Leen Valley and on up to Shirebrook, serving many of the same places as the Midland south of Annesley. It closed to passengers on 14 September 1931 but remained in use for freight until 25 March 1968. The Hucknall station on this line was known as "Hucknall Town".
The third line was the Great Central Railway (also later part of the LNER), the last main line ever built from the north of England to London, opened on 15 March 1899. The stretch through Hucknall closed completely on 5 September 1966, but the Hucknall station here (known as Hucknall Central), had closed earlier, on 4 March 1963.
From 1894 until 1974 Hucknall was the seat of the Hucknall Urban District Council. Upon the abolition of the UDC, local government of the town was transferred to Ashfield.
In 1956 the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, Hucknall was built to serve the area of west Hucknall.

Hucknall was recorded as Hokeuhale (n.d.) and Hokenale (n.d.), suggesting “nook of land of Hōcanere” (a tribe), from Old English halh (haugh). This same tribe’s name occurs in Hook Norton, Oxfordshire. It has been suggested that the name Hucknall once referred to a larger area on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border. Two other settlements in the locality are called Hucknall; Hucknall-under-Huthwaite, in Nottinghamshire, (known today as Huthwaite) and Ault Hucknall in Derbyshire. It is likely that Hucknall Torkard marked the Southern Boundary of this larger Hucknall Area.
In the Domesday Book (AD 1086) the name appears as Hochenale (volume 1, pages 288-290).

Hucknall had already proven itself to have more history than I had ever realised so the question now was in relation to the quality of its pubs and beer. Leaving the tram station upon my arrival in the town, I headed towards the main street through the centre, where the majority of the drinking establishments are located. Despite arriving in Hucknall before midday, I was pleased to see that my first intended stop was already open. Without further ado, I got the day underway at the Plough & Harrow.

Now owned by Amber Taverns, the pub was extensively renovated and improved in September 2015, with the one year anniversary scheduled to take place 2 days after my visit. Carpeted throughout, the pub is essentially a single room but has been cleverly arranged to create several snug-like drinking areas. Several TVs are located throughout and there is a heated patio and smoking area to the rear. The bar is opposite the main entrance and features 4 handpulls, 2 of which are in use at the time of my visit. Facing a choice between Tetley's Gold and Doom Bar, I opted for the latter and took a seat in one of the aforementioned snugs as I looked forward to the day ahead. The Doom Bar was in top quality condition and very refreshing. It went down very easily, so much so that I decided on a second pint. This was partly driven by an annoying email from an estate agent so extra alcohol was definitely needed so I could calm down.

Feeling calmer and optimistic about the rest of the pub trip, I moved on to my next stop, which happened to be just opposite. It was now time for the obligatory trip to a local Wetherspoons. This one is The Pilgrim Oak.

The origin of this pub's name links back to Lord Byron. He is buried in St. Mary's Church, which lies close to this pub, named after a famous tree that once stood outside Newstead Abbey, Byron's ancestral home, which isn't too far away from Hucknall itself. The interior is the standard Spoons décor with old pictures and local historical information displayed on the walls. The bar is roughly central to one wall and slightly curved with low tables throughout and a number of booths along the opposite wall. There are 12 handpulls present, all of which are in use, and these represent doubles of the 6 beers that are currently on. My options on this day are Abbot Ale, Bradfield Blueberry Ale, Magpie Six For Gold, Dukeries Bolt Out of the Blue, Lincoln Green Available Soon and Kelham Island Pale Rider. I'm an enormous fan of Bradfield and their beer portfolio so it was no time at all for me to choose the Blueberry Ale (4.4%). This is a delightfully refreshing session beer with fruity, spicy overtones and an interesting blue tint to the head. It's like Christmas in September! This was a very tasty beer and a pleasant atmosphere to enjoy it in, as I sat in one of the booths and watched the lunchtime regulars go about their business.

Next on my list, was a pub that was just down the street. I made my way to the Red Lion.

In the 18th Century, the Red Lion Inn was the rent house of Lord Byron. Refurbished and reopened in 2013, it is laid out as a series of 'living rooms' that act as separate drinking areas, as does the rear beer garden. The bar is small and sits just to the side of the main entrance. The single handpull offers Lion's Pride Bitter, which is rebadged H&H Bitter. I took my pint and moved into one of the adjacent rooms and took a seat at a small table near a window that looks out onto the junction of the high street and an adjacent road. The beer is malty and smooth and goes down well considering the low ABV. Hucknall was proving to be an interesting place and I was intrigued to see what else was in store as I reached the halfway point of the day.

My next stop was on the corner at the end of the high street at a place called the Half Moon.

Originally a Shipstone's pub, the building dates back to 1868. Reopened in Spring 2014 after a lengthy period of closure, it has been extensively refurbished to make it light and open. One side of the central bar has tables and chairs for diners and drinkers, with the other side housing the pool table. At the back is a small raised area with comfortable seating. 3 handpulls occupy the bar, 2 of which are in use whilst I'm there, offering H&H Olde Trip and Greene King London Glory. I decided on a pint of the London Glory (4%), a traditional bitter with flavours of burnt toffee and caramel and a fruity finish. I took a seat at a table just opposite the bar and enjoyed my beer as I took in the décor with its promotional posters for upcoming DJ and karaoke nights.

I was very excited to get to my next location as it was the premises that I'd been most looking forward to when researching this trip. Located around the corner from the Half Moon, on the corner of Derbyshire Lane and Watnall Road, is Hucknall's very own micropub, Beer Shack.

Formerly a shop, this is now a friendly, TV-free beer and cider pub where the emphasis is very much on good conversation. The unique Flying Bedstead pub sign, from a nearby pub that closed before Beer Shack opened, adorns one wall. In addition to its 5 handpulls, 12 real ciders are available and high quality pork pies are available to eat in or take away. The pub was awarded the accolade of East Midlands Cider Pub of the Year in 2014. I'm immediately given a warm welcome by the bar man and the small group of regulars a I peruse the beers on offer. The choice is certainly interesting: Cottage Honey Bunny, Spire Whiter Shade, Brentwood Summer Virgin, Everard's Tiger and Nightingale Tres Bien. I opted for the Summer Virgin (4.5%), a summer seasonal beer from Essex's Brentwood Brewery. This beautiful blonde beer is packed with refreshing grapefruit and citrus flavours. I took a seat on a comfy sofa at the back of the room and was instantly befriended by a small, cute dog called Yoda who made me welcome by climbing onto my lap. I engaged in conversation with the regulars where I could but sat and listened for the most part as I drank my beer. The atmosphere here is so friendly and the beer so good that I could easily have stayed here all day but, I had 2 more pubs to visit and time was getting on.

Thankfully, my next location was just around the corner, next to the training centre for Nottinghamshire Police. I was now at the Green Dragon.
 

Tastefully renovated in 2012, the pub has both bar and lounge areas despite its open plan layout. The bar contains the pool table and dartboard whilst the lounge is split level, with the emphasis on comfort. A number of pictures of past Hucknall adorn the walls. A tarmacked patio area is at the front and there is a separate function room at the side. The pub is rumoured to have ghosts but I've been unable to find any further information about this, more's the pity. The bar features 6 handpulls, 3 of which are in use offering Pentrich Death Valley, Castle Rock Green Dragon and Ringwood Forty Niner. After a moment's deliberation I decided on the Death Valley (5.5%), which turned out to be an American pale ale with vibrant citrus flavours from a cocktail of US hops. It's heavy hitting and very hoppy and I was certainly glad that I'd decided on this beer. The soundtrack in this pub was also rather good, as I was treated to an unexpected bit of the Offspring.

There was one premises left to go and this meant making my way back towards the tram stop and visiting the nearby Station Hotel.

Built between 1892 and 1893, this former Home Brewery pub was refurbished in March 2015 and consists of a traditional bar and a large, comfortable lounge. The lounge wall displays a series of old Hucknall photographs including one of the pub from the 1920s. The opening hours have recently been extended and so the hotel is open daily from midday and has recently made a commitment to stocking real ale continuously. This is something that is still in the early stages as there is currently just the single ale available. At the time of my visit, this is Caledonian Best Bitter, which is in very good condition and the perfect accompaniment to live coverage of the England v Pakistan ODI.

The beer was finally done and my list of venues was exhausted for the day so there was nothing else for it but to jump back onto a tram and make my way home. What were my impressions of Hucknall? It had certainly provided more than I had been expecting and the variety of pubs was an interesting mix. Whilst some of them were the standard town centre fare with a small variety of beers, there were others that stood out, specifically the Green Dragon and the excellent Beer Shack, to which I will most certainly be returning. Hucknall is doing its best to keep real ale working and with the number of pubs that are situated in the town, I can see no reason why it should end any time soon. Hucknall is one of those places that will keep ticking over, striving hard and doing its best. Things aren't so bad in this small corner of the county!

An Amble Around Ashbourne

I first visited Ashbourne many years ago and it instantly became one of my favourite places and I made a mental note then to one day return and give it's many drinking establishments a proper explore. On an unsettled, but not cold, Monday, that day had finally arrived.

Ashbourne is a market town in the Derbyshire Dales. It has a population of 7,112. It contains many historical buildings and many independent shops and is famous for its historic annual Shrovetide football match.
Due to its proximity to the southern edge of the Peak District and being the closest town to the popular area of Dovedale, the town is known as both the 'Gateway to Dovedale' and the 'Gateway to the Peak District'.
Ashbourne is a market town and was granted a market charter in 1257.
In medieval times Ashbourne was a frequent rest stop for pilgrims walking 'St Non's Way' to the shrine at Dunstable in Bedfordshire.
The forces of Charles Edward Stuart passed through Ashbourne during the Jacobite rising of 1745.
Ashbourne is located at

 WikiMiniAtlas

53°01′N 01°44′W / 53.017°N 1.733°W / 53.017; -1.733. Ashbourne Green and Sturston are hamlets close by. Henmore Brook, a tributary of the River Dove, flows through the middle of the town.
From 1910, Nestle had a creamery in the town, which for a period was contracted to produce Carnation condensed milk. The factory had its own private sidings connected to the railway station goods yard, which allowed milk trains to access the facility, and distribute product as far south as London. After milk trains ceased in 1965, the railway track was lifted and the railway station fully closed. The factory closed in 2003, and since demolition in 2006, has been redeveloped as housing and a light industrial estate, although the old loading ramp from street level up to the factory floor is still in situ.
Water from a borehole on the site was first marketed as Ashbourne Water in 1975, and was sold mostly to the catering trade. Nestlé retained the borehole after the factory shut, taking water by tanker to Buxton for bottling. Declining sales (1.3m bottles in 2005, compared to 90m for Buxton water) meant that they could not justify further investment and the brand was discontinued in 2006.
The town's proximity to Dovedale and the Peak District means that tourism has always been important to it, now more than ever.

The cobbled market place hosts a traditional outdoor market every Thursday and Saturday throughout the year, complementing the wide range of individual shops in the town. Although its market heritage is important, it came under threat of closure from Derbyshire County Council in November 2012. The people of Ashbourne have opposed any such moves by the council and started an online petition. Ashbourne became the 97th Fairtrade Town in March 2005 after many businesses, cafes, shops and community organisations started supporting Fairtrade.
Ashbourne has a large number of public houses for such a small town centre: there are currently 10 pubs trading, as well as 2 social clubs. However, the town's most famous establishment, the Green Man & Black's Head Royal Hotel, closed in 2012 and underwent a change of ownership in 2013. Part of it is being redeveloped into retail units and a bistro, and some of the hotel bedrooms are being restored but, as of February 2014, plans are also afoot to restore a pub function to the complex. The famous and rare 'gallows' sign across St John's Street does, however, remains a focal meeting point in the town. Local historians have noted that almost 1 in 4 buildings in the town have at one time or another been an alehouse, pub or inn or were redeveloped on the site of such an establishment.

The 215 ft (66 m) spire of St Oswald's Church dominates the town. The church is Early English in style and was built around 1220. There are a few remnants of earlier Norman construction and in the south aisle is part of a Saxon cross shaft. The church of St John was built on Buxton Road in 1871 in a neo-Norman style. Ashbourne Churches Together (ACT) has a link with the Diocese of Patna in the ecumenical Church of North India. Regular visits take place in both directions and members of ACT are currently sponsoring the education of children in a school in Bihar, one of the poorest states in India.
Ashbourne is known for its annual two-day Royal Shrovetide Football Match, in which one half of the town plays the other at football, using the town as the pitch and with the goals three miles apart. As many as several thousand players compete for two days with a hand-painted, cork-filled ball. The game is played by two teams, the Up'ards and the Down'ards, over two eight-hour periods, subject to only a few rules. Shrovetide football has been played for centuries, perhaps even over 1,000 years. It is a moving mass (the Hug) which continues through the roads of the town, across fields and even along the bed of the local Henmore Brook. There were intermittent attempts to ban the game until the late 19th century, but none was successful.
Before the 1966 Football World Cup, the West German squad stayed at the nearby Peveril of the Peak Hotel and trained on one of Ashbourne's town football pitches (near the park).

The preponderance of drinking venues, as well as the picturesque surroundings, are what drew me back to Ashbourne and I expected it to be well worth the 2 hour journey on 3 different buses to reach there from home. I arrived in the town just after lunchtime and immediately set about getting my bearings and locating my first stop. The first pub on the day's itinerary was actually located outside of the town proper on the main A52 road between Ashbourne and the neighbouring community of Mayfield. By the side of the road, facing an Aldi supermarket is the Stepping Stones.

This is a large, relatively newly-built Marston's run premises with an accompanying Travelodge next door. The large entranceway gives way to an expansive dining area with a central bar and designated drinking and dining areas arranged throughout. There is also an outside seating area consisting of picnic tables and parasols. Marston's are usually a fairly safe bet with regards to beer and it was no exception on this occasion. The 6 handpulls offer 3 beers doubled up, namely Hobgoblin Gold, Pedigree and the Olympic-themed Hoptathlon. I decided that the Hobgoblin was a good place to start my day and this was in excellent condition, tasting very fresh and smooth. I took a seat at a table in the drinking area, facing the bar. The Stepping Stones is certainly a pleasant place, even on a largely unsettled day with drizzle coming down. The beer was well earned after my journey and barely touched the sides. I was now faced with a short walk back into Ashbourne itself, made easier by following the bus route that had brought me here in the first place.

Walking back past the bus station, reached the end of the road and turned left to where my next location sat on the end of a bridge over the Henmore Brook. Next up, was the aptly named The Bridge.

Marketed mainly as a wine bar, this is a cosy split level property with a small dining area to the front, a small bar tucked into a corner of the second level and a third level to the rear that includes the toilets. The solitary handpull offers Pedigree during my visit. This is well kept and well poured, as the barmaid pulls a full pint off before pouring mine, to ensure that I'm getting the best bits. I took a seat on a high table opposite the bar, next to a window with a view out to the brook and the aforementioned bridge. I enjoyed my beer as I pondered what may be in store for the rest of the day whilst enjoying the singing of Bonnie Tyler (on TV, not in person, although that would have been a treat). This isn't a bad place to pop in for a pint and the food sounds and looks great as well, although it is clearly not aimed at the ale drinker but you can't have everything.

Next on the list, was a pub a couple of doors down, again facing the road into the town centre. I was now at the Coach & Horses.

This is a very friendly, fairly small pub with a bar in line with the main entrance, facing into the largest of the rooms where low wooden tables and benches provide the furniture. Something that immediately drew my attention is the Cask Ale Club, an offer run here every Monday where every pint of cask ale is discounted by 20 pence. Not a bad scheme at all! Speaking of the beers, 3 of the 4 handpulls are in use, providing a choice of Adnams Samba City, Sharp's Doom Bar and Old Speckled Hen. Always up for something new, I was swiftly drawn to the Samba City, a limited edition beer brewed to commemorate the Rio Olympics. I was intrigued to discover that this is in fact a wheat beer, golden in colour with vibrant citrus aromas and a touch of banana on the palate and wheat providing creamy, spicy notes on the finish. At 4.2%, that's a decent amount of flavour! There is certainly a comfortable, cosy atmosphere at the Coach & Horses and it seems a shame to leave, but there are many more pubs to visit before my bus ride home.

The next pub is one that I've heard a lot about and was looking forward to finally visiting it. Located just off the market place, facing up the hill that leads out of town, is Smith's Tavern.

This is a small, highly traditional pub that usually provides a wide range of beers from the Marston's portfolio and a large selection of malt whiskies. The pub was named local Sub-Branch Pub of the Year in February 2015 for the 3rd year in a row. The sign above the door depicts a blacksmith, which is slightly misleading as the pub is actually named after a former owner from its time as a wine merchant. Smith's Wine Vaults and Smith's Wine House are amongst its previous names. The bar in here is small and sits just inside the door, opposite what appears to be the cellar entrance but is labelled as the kitchen. 8 handpulls are in evidence, half of which are in use, offering a choice of Pedigree, Sunbeam, Ringwood Forty Niner and Cumberland Best. Being a massive fan of Ringwood beers, I was always going to opt for the Forty Niner and this was very well kept indeed. I took a seat at a small table tucked just to the right of the entrance and admired the artefacts and old photographs on the wall. I was very interested by a framed page from a Bill Bryson book detailing his own visit to the pub where be endured a frosty exchange with the landlord after daring to suggest that Ringwood produce a decent a lager. It turns out that was sat in the very seat that he had himself sat in, a year or so before, under a photograph of the time when a lorry with failed brakes had gone through the front of the pub. Not so much a claim to fame but I'll take it.

Next up, I wandered up into the market place proper where my location sits next to a chip shop. The next premises under scrutiny was the White Swan.

This is a lively pub with a faux Tudor frontage covering what is a very old original building. The interior is considerably more modern, consisting of a single room that features a pool table, a TV, a jukebox and high wooden tables. Upon entering, I realised that I had actually been here before when I was last in the town. The bar takes up the majority of one wall and boasts 3 handpulls, featuring Pedigree, Leatherbritches Y Not Festivale and a Moonshine Cider. The Festivale was my beer of choice on this occasion, brewed as it was in honour of the nearby Y Not Festival which has recently taken place. This is a 4% brew with a mountain of hops to give a very fruity, delicious kick. I remembered this pub for having very good customer service and this still remains as I am offered a second pint as I'm about to finish my first. Unfortunately, the time had once again come to move along.

My next stop was my favourite pub in Ashbourne, the place where my love for real ale was properly cemented during my last visit here. Situated just across the market place, I give you the George and Dragon.

Under new management since 2014, the George and Dragon is an extremely welcoming place. The bar is more or less opposite the door, with seating areas arranged the edges of the rooms. I can vouch for the quality of the food here and there are even 5 rooms set aside for guest accommodation if you can't bare to tear yourself away too soon. The bar features 4 handpulls, 3 of which are in use and providing a choice between Dancing Duck Gold, Marston's New World and Pedigree. I went for the Gold (4.7%), a modern IPA with a good, hoppy bitterness and aroma balanced with strong malt notes. First Gold hops give peppery, plum like and orange zesty flavours. It's a delicious beer indeed. This pub oozes charm and character and I'm so glad that I've had another chance to visit. The table that I choose to sit at comes with a cat curled up on one the chairs. Named Skylar, she is cute but largely indifferent to my presence and my attempts to get her attention. I relaxed here for a while, engaging in conversation with a regular and the barmaid about the limited time off for pub managers. It was incredibly tempting to spend the rest of my afternoon here, and perhaps even move in, but I reasoned that I should probably fit in my last 2 pubs before I headed home.

The penultimate pub on my list was up a steepish hill that leads out of the town and into the countryside. Just before the town terminates, situated almost at the top of the hill, with a separate car park opposite, lies The Bowling Green.

I have fond memories of the food here. The pub is also a steak house and the steak is incredible. Less incredible was getting a puncture in the car park. The semi circular bar greets you as you enter and there are a couple of tables set up for dining nearby, with the rest tucked away in a back room. The pub features both a public and lounge area, both served by the bar with a partition wall partially obscuring one from the other. 4 handpulls occupy the bar, 2 in each area, featuring doubled up Doom Bar and Pedigree. The Doom Bar was excellent and I took up a bar stool to enjoy it as took in my surroundings and had a chat with a couple of regulars and the barmaid. I've made a mental note to bring Amy here, not just the pub but the town in general, as I'm convinced she'll love it and I know she'd love the steak here.

It was time for the last pub by this stage, and this meant retracing my steps back towards the bus station. Once again back on the main road through town, just down the road from The Bridge and around the corner from the bus stop was my final destination, The Wheel Inn.
 

This is an old, low-set building located next to the police station. Operated by the same landlord (a former mayor) for many years, the pub has a main bar area to the right and a smaller darts and pool room to the left. The 3 handpulls feature Draught Bass, Old Speckled Hen and Pedigree. I again decided to have a go with the Pedigree and this was very well kept indeed. There were a small group of regulars in the pub during my visit but I took a seat at a low table opposite the bar to enjoy and reflect upon my afternoon. My trip to Ashbourne had been excellent. I had been concerned that my anticipation about coming back and my enjoyment of my previous visit would build my hopes and I would be left disappointed. In the end, this was an excursion that more than lived up to expectations, not just for the beer but for the feel and appearance of what is a lovely little Peak District town. There is no way I would not recommend it for a day trip or longer and definitely no way that I won't be going back. Where else could you sit where Bill Bryson sat and feel like a local when you are anything but, all whilst supping delicious beer from near and far? As I returned to the bus station (scene of sightings of a phantom Roman legion) in preparation for the long journey, I felt content and satisfied that this one of the best trips I had ever done, in one of my favourite places ever. And I didn't even visit all the pubs! Reason enough to give it all another go in the future.

A Run of the Mill

My two most recent trips have both been confined to a relatively local area so, for this excursion, I decided to once again head further afield and head over the county boundary into Derbyshire to investigate the town of Langley Mill and the pubs that it has to offer.
Langley Mill is a small town in the Amber Valley district of Derbyshire. It is on the border of Nottinghamshire, and merges into the towns of Aldercar (to the north) and Heanor (to the southwest). Across the River Erewash is the Nottinghamshire town of Eastwood. It is part of the Aldercar and Langley Mill parish. Although the town has an "NG" postcode, it is in Derbyshire. (The boundary used to be the River Erewash, but the boundary was moved in the 1990s and is now the A610; this means that the Erewash Canal basin is now in Langley Mill.)
Originally named Long Lea, the village of Langley Mill was a major employer throughout the mid 1900s with many companies including The Flour Mill, Langley Mill Pottery, Aristoc & Co Ltd, G.R. Turners, and Vic Hallam Limited.
Aristoc & Co Limited on North Street became a target for German Bombers during the Second World War. Originally a manufacturer of silk stockings, Aristoc manufactured parachutes, inflatable dinghies, etc., for the war effort. The buildings have now been replaced with housing.
International Superbike champion Ron Haslam hailed from Langley Mill. He won many titles in the 1970s and early 1980s on the international motorcycle scene, pitting his natural talents against major stars including Barry Sheene.
Langley (not Langley Mill) is in the Heanor and Loscoe parish.
The town is at the junction of the Erewash Canal, the Cromford Canal, and the Nottingham Canal. The town is the site of Langley Mill railway station, on the Erewash Valley Line. The A610 £2.5 million Langley Mill Bypass was opened on 8 September 1983, by Joe Carty, the leader of Derbyshire County Council.

To get to Langley Mill, I'd decided to get the train as opposed to the bus due to the fact that this would drop me off at a central point for me to get my bearings in the town. The downsides to this particular transport choice meant however that, whilst the journey was quicker, it was more expensive and less frequent, limited to one train an hour there and back. This didn't put me off though and I was determined to have a good day regardless. The weather was a far cry from that of my previous trip out, with a bright, warm Sunday replaced by a cooler, inclement Thursday. I arrived in Langley Mill after the 20 minute train ride and immediately set about finding my way around. The closest pub to the station didn't open until later in the day so I was resolved to visit this last.
To reach my first destination, I turned right out of the station and walked down the main road through the village, passed an Asda supermarket and then further along to where the main road almost joins the A610. Situated down an incline just off the road facing the main thoroughfare was my first stop, The Great Northern.

Now operated by the Pub People Company, this historic canal side pub was refurbished in 2013. The pub sits at the end of the Erewash Canal, at the Great Northern Basin, from which it takes it's name. The pub sits in the basin with the road elevated up a steep verge in front. Internally, the pub is effectively a single room, broken up into nooks and crannies for some privacy, with the bar occupying the central portion of the room. There is also a beer garden and a children's play area alongside the canal. The bar itself features 7 handpulls, 5 of which are in use on my visit. 2 of these offer real cider in the form of Rosie's Pig Handbrake and Snail's Bank Pig Squeal, while the rest proffer real ale, on this occasion Navigation Brittania, Sharp's Doom Bar and Nottingham Dreadnought. Having recently reacquainted myself with Dreadnought, I opted for a pint of it again here. It was very well kept and well earned after my trip.

Following a pleasant few minutes enjoying my pint at the Great Northern, it was time to make my way to my next stop. This meant retracing my steps, back past the train station and up a slight incline towards the middle of the town. On a junction between the main road and a smaller side street, sits the next pub on the day's itinerary, the creatively named Inn the Middle.

This large, roadside pub benefits from a spacious interior with a central, island bar and a pool and darts area off in one corner and a smoking area to rear. The pub takes its name from its location in the town and also from the fact the town itself is roughly equidistant between Nottingham and Derby. 3 of the 4 handpulls are in use offering a choice of local beers, namely Dancing Duck Sapphire, Brewster's Roll in the Hay and Burton Town Heroes for Ghosts. Being unfamiliar with any of these beers, I was spoilt for choice so decided to go for the Sapphire (4.2%), a pale ale with a nice, fruity aroma and lots of citrus flavours from orange, lemon and pink grapefruit, all giving way to a spicy finish. I took a seat to one side of the central bar, thoroughly enjoying my afternoon so far. The beer was delicious and went down a tad too easily. The temptation to have a second was strong but, constrained as I was by time, I had no other choice but to move on. It was raining strongly when I left Inn the Middle but thankfully, I didn't have far to go.
My third and final stop on this short trip was the closest pub to the station and I arrived a couple of minutes after it opened. The day was to close at the Railway Tavern.

This little changed station pub is operated by Turnstone Taverns and is laid out with a number of rooms off the central bar. The pub is locally known for showing live sport and featured in the CAMRA Good Pub Guide in 2010. The bar features 5 handpulls, 3 of which were in use during my visit. All of featured beers were about as local as they could be, as they are all from Heanor's Leadmill Brewery, essentially just down the road. The choices before me were Wild Rover, B52 and Butterley Tunnel, all of which were new to me, leading to a moment of decision making. I eventually decided on the B52. At 5.2%, this is a premium bitter with a caramel malt character and a slightly sharp, bitter hop finish. I made way into a small snug-like back room with my pint and enjoyed it in the company of live football coverage from a pre-season European friendly. I had made a wise choice by leaving this pub until last as I finished my pint with just enough time to make my train back to Nottingham.

My trip to Langley Mill had been an interesting one. Whilst it does not contain many pubs, the quality of beer is very good and it obviously does a lot to support local breweries and ensures that LocALE has a permanent presence. The lack of pubs is more than compensated for by good quality beer and the pubs themselves are welcoming and well maintained. This is definitely one of those locations that has been a pleasant surprise and deserves recognition for such as it seems to have slipped under the radar of the local real ale scene. I urge others to make the trip as it's certainly more than run of the mill!

A Recon of Ruddington

Due to a busy few weeks which have featured, amongst other things, Download Festival and a stag do trip to Budapest, I haven't had much time to get out and explore. However, with the unusual prospect of a Sunday off work, and Amy being off as well, we took it upon ourselves to have a wander from our home in Clifton into the neighbouring village of Ruddington to see what it's pubs had in store.
Ruddington is a village (twinned with Grenay, France) situated 5 miles (8.0 km) south of Nottingham in the Borough of Rushcliffe. It had a population of 6,441 at the 2001 UK census, increasing to 7,216 at the 2011 census.
An independent community, residents have previously conducted high profile campaigns in an attempt to retain the rural identity as a village and prevent it being subsumed into the adjoining suburban districts of Clifton and West Bridgford. Ruddington is also home to Rushcliffe Country Park, an area developed on the now decommissioned Ruddington Depot.
Ruddington once had a station on the former Great Central Railway (later part of the LNER), the last main line to be built from the north of England to London, opened on 15 March 1899. The station closed on 4 March 1963 but the line remained operational for passenger traffic until 5 May 1969 and for freight until 1974. The line was subsequently dismantled north of Ruddington, but the section south to Loughborough remains in existence as a heritage railway.
Ruddington is notable for being the home of three museums.

The Ruddington Village Museum features authentic Chemists, Ironmongers and Fish and Chip shops from the Edwardian era, all rebuilt part by part inside the building, which was previously the Ruddington Infant and Girls' School.

The Ruddington Framework Knitters' Museum is a unique complex of listed frameshops, cottages, and outbuildings arranged around a garden courtyard, together with a former chapel. The site has been restored to show the working and living conditions of the framework knitters who occupied it throughout the nineteenth century, and is one of the few places in Britain where you can see a working Framework Knitting machine.

Nottingham Transport Heritage Centre is situated adjacent to the Rushcliffe Country Park. There is a preserved stretch of the now defunct Great Central Railway line extending south to Loughborough. Also home to a Classic Road Transport collection, a miniature railway and many more attractions. The railway works every Sunday and bank holiday Monday from Easter to late October. There are plans to join this stretch to the preserved stretch of the railway from Loughborough to Leicester North.

As well as being a tiny hub of history, Ruddington also boasts 7 pubs although, as will soon become clear, we didn't quite make all of them! Our walk into the village was a pleasant one in boiling sunshine down the main road between Ruddington and Clifton. By the time we reached our first stop, we felt like we earned a pint. Our first stop was the Ruddington Arms.

Formerly known as the Jolly Farmers, and owned by Star Inns, the pub was refurbished and renamed in 2014. It's modern open plan interior has been extended to the rear and features an enclosed courtyard. The bar is opposite the main entrance and is central to the main room with a curved layout. There is a snug like area to both sides of the door and there are artefacts from the past as well as a train map to local pubs. The bar features 4 handpulls which, at the time of our visit, include Well's Wonderful Wallop, Ruddy Good Ale (rebadged Caledonian Deuchars IPA), Castle Rock Harvest Pale and Theakston's Single Hop. Whilst Amy went for a pint of cider, I decided on the Wonderful Wallop (4.5%). This is a golden ale with aromas of sweet hops and honey. The taste is a refreshing combination of crisp fruit and gentle malt with a bitter finish. We took our pints, not to the rear courtyard, but to a small seating area outside the main entrance, between the pub and the curb. It was a very pleasant day and the temperature was balmy. I definitely wish that I'd decided to wear shorts instead of opting for jeans! It was a very enjoyable place to spend such a nice summer day and the beer was excellent. This had certainly been a good place to start the day's activities.

Finishing our pints in almost no time at all, we made plans to head to our next destination, which is only a few doors away, opposite the Clifton Road that runs directly between the 2 places. Now under new management, is the Victoria Tavern.

The Vic, as it is locally known, is an archetypal village local with a quiet, cosy ambience and a generally more mature clientele. The inside lounge is quiet, carpeted and free of music. There is a separate bar area through an adjoining door to the inside right of the entrance. The bar features 4 handpulls, offering a choice of Draught Bass, Abbot Ale, Adnams Southwold and Young's Hummingbird. I opted for a pint of Hummingbird, which was met with approval by some regulars stood nearby. I could see why they were pleased. This is a refreshing golden ale, at 4.2%, with intense fruity aromas and flavours of passion fruit. We once again headed outside, this time to a rear garden area which featured low benches and a covered smoking shelter. We decided to sit under the shelter to get a break from the sun, although we hadn't really thought this through as the Perspex roof on the shelter considerably amplified the heat. Just as well that we had our pints to cool us down!

Our next stop for the day was further down the main road through the village and the first of 3 pubs that are situated in very close proximity to each other. On the junction of the Wilford Road and Easthorpe Street is the Red Lion.

Another pub run by Star, the Red Lion is a two roomed corner pub with a central bar and was recorded as a public house in 1855 under publican Mrs. E. Smith. This would sadly prove to be the disappointment of the day's trip. None of the 3 handpulls were in use but were being used to advertise the 2 available ales, namely a gas driven Theakston's Mild and bottled of Old Peculier. I do enjoy a good bottle of Old Peculier so this was where my attention was immediately drawn. Purchasing one and clutching a pint glass, we headed out to the rear car park where a number of picnic benches provide external seating. The sun was truly beaming down now and there was no escape from it whilst outside. Although the ale range wasn't the best, the locals and stuff were friendly enough and there was the added humour of seeing a small dog urinate up the side of a mobility scooter.

Our next location was next door and sat adjacent to Easthorpe Street. This was the Red Heart.

Originally a Shipstone's pub, the original pub sign still hangs outside. It was recorded as a public house in 1832 as the 'Red Hart' under licensed victualler Wm. Widdinson. Inside is a distinct bar area with tiled floors and basic furniture, whilst the more comfortable lounge is to the rear. The 3 handpulls offer us a choice between Doom Bar, Harvest Pale and Rosie's Pig Flat Tyre Cider. It was an easy choice for me as I chose Doom Bar. Amy went for a pint of Strongbow and we took our seats on a high table at an angle from the bar, opposite a TV showing live coverage of the cricket. The definite highlight of our time in this pub was being greeted by a huge but lovely dog called Nico, a malamute/husky cross. He definitely made visiting this pub worthwhile, so much so that we stayed for a second pint. The Doom Bar was in excellent condition. It was a refreshing change to sit inside on this occasion as we were both starting to feel the heat a bit.

The third pub in this small group was our next stop and this was just a couple of doors down. Doubling as an Indian restaurant, is the Three Crowns.

Recorded as a public house in 1832 under victualler John Tyres, this is a modern single bar establishment. The name comes from the 3 chimney pots on the roof and is known locally as the 'Top House' due to its position at the end of the street of 3 pubs. The interior is light and airy with two separate seating areas at the front. The back room contains the Three Spices Indian and Bangladeshi restaurant which is open from 5.30 every day and even provides a takeaway service. The bar occupies one side of the room and features 6 handpulls, 4 of which are in use at the time of our visit. The beers on offer are Nottingham EPA, Totally Brewed Slap in the Face, London Pride and Blue Monkey BG Sips. It took me no time at all to select the BG Sips. I've spoken before of my love for Blue Monkey beers and this was excellently kept. We took our time with our beers here and got chatting to the bar man who was very knowledgeable about the beers and the pubs in the area. It's always nice when bar staff know their subject and are prepared to discuss it.

It was an excellent day so far and Amy and I were having a great time. The alcohol was starting to take effect but this was not about to deter us from our next stop, one which I had very much been looking forward to. Situated back on the main road through the village, on the junction with Kirk Lane, is the Frame Breakers.

Formerly, the Bricklayers Arms, the pub was taken over by Nottingham Brewery in October 2015, since when it has begun to thrive again. The name is taken from the pub's proximity to the Framework Knitters' Museum and harks back to the Luddite movement where knitting frames were smashed by workers upset that machinery would take away jobs from manual workers. The pub itself is a large, three-storey corner building. Inside, there are low beams and plenty of wood furniture including a solid bar. The flooring is part tiled, wooden and carpeted. The open plan layout is occupied by settles and chunky furniture. Live music takes places at the rear and this is happening during our visit as a man named Joe Strange (whose band have played at work before) is currently playing an acoustic covers set. The bar contains 7 handpulls, mostly from the Nottingham Brewery as you'd expect but guests also feature. During our visit, the beers on offer are Foundry Mild (x2), EPA (x 2), Dreadnought and Rock Bitter with Nelson Press Gang as the guest. I swung for the Dreadnought whilst Amy went for Symond's cider and we grabbed a seat in one of the low settles. The Dreadnought was excellent and I'd forgotten how good it was. That's definitely a beer that I'll have to come back to more often. Amy had invited her dad and my future father-in-law Pete to join us and he soon arrived for a beer and a chat. It was nice to catch up with him and he even bought us a second pint each so you can't argue with that.

Our intention now was originally to go to the one remaining pub on the list, the White Horse, touted as one of the best in the village. However, a combination of copious beer, the heat and lack of food had meant that we flagging significantly and so instead decided that it was time to call it a day and wend our weary way home, entertaining ourselves with an impromptu karaoke session and thoughts of Chinese takeaway. It had been a very enjoyable day. Ruddington is a place with a real sense of community and a cracking variety of pubs. Whilst it is often mentioned in lists of places to visit for pubs, it's only when you visit a place in person that you can truly appreciate it. The beer range and quality is very good indeed and I have no doubt that Ruddington will continue to deliver fun experiences to both the casual and seasoned drinker. It can certainly be said that this particular village lives up to its reputation for 'Ruddy good ale'!

Where There's a Wil.....

This week's beer-based adventure allowed me to take advantage of a spare afternoon following an early morning work delivery shift. I decided that my time would be well served in a location that was not too far from either work or the city centre as I was later due to meet Amy after work. To that end, I finally crossed off a location that I'd been meaning to get to for ages and set my sights on Wilford.

Wilford is a village close to the centre of Nottingham. The population is included in the Clifton North Ward of Nottingham Unitary Authority. The village is bounded to the north and west by the River Trent and to the east by the embankment of the now closed Great Central Railway. The now demolished Wilford Power Station was located on the north bank of the River Trent.
Remains of a paved ford, bordered by oak posts, were found in the Trent at Wilford in 1900. The settlement is named as Willesforde in Domesday Book, owned by William Pevrel of Nottingham Castle, who also owned the lands of nearby Clifton. It had a fishery, a priest and 23 sokemen. The land passed to the Clifton family in the 13th Century.
Wilford retained its identity as a village until the later 19th century. Surrounded by woodlands and with riverside amenities such as the Wilford Ferry Inn, the village attracted many visitors from Nottingham. Spencer Hall, the Nottinghamshire poet, wrote in 1846 "Who ever saw Wilford without wishing to become an inmate of one of its peaceful woodbined homes."
In 1870 the Clifton Colliery opened on the north side of the Trent, and the area opposite Wilford became industrialised. By the end of the century the village had changed character, with modern brick-built houses replacing old thatched cottages.
The parish was divided into North Wilford and South Wilford in 1887. The population increased to four and a half thousand by 1901, almost a ten-fold increase since 1801. The civil parish of South Wilford became part of West Bridgford urban district in 1935.
The Silverdale housing estate was built on the southern edge of Wilford on farmland. An adjacent estate, Compton Acres, was built in 1986.

Although I regularly pass through Wilford on my way to and from work or the city centre, I had yet to further inspect what it had to offer by way of delights for the ale drinker. My itinerary for the afternoon would technically stretch beyond the village boundaries but the pubs involved can, for all intents and purposes, be shoehorned in geographically. My first stop is located on Wilford Lane and, whilst it technically falls within West Bridgford, it's close enough to count. I once applied for a job here but today it was strictly pleasure, at the Beeches Hotel.

This stylish and modern establishment operates as a hotel with an in-house gym, spa and restaurant. Downstairs is the object of my visit, Oscar's Bar & Restaurant, which serves excellent home cooked food and a good selection of drinks to both residents and visitors. The bar includes 2 handpulls, just one of which is in use when I arrive. This particular pump is proffering Harvest Pale and this is in excellent condition and tasting just as it should be. I took a seat on a high table opposite the bar and enjoyed my pint, which I had evidently needed as it barely touched the sides! Whilst the Beeches is better renowned for its food, the beer is well kept and they also provide a small number of bottled ales.

Moving on from the Beeches was easy enough as there is a bus stop right outside and plenty of buses that run towards Wilford itself. This meant that it was no time at all until I was on my way to my next stop, situated opposite the main road through the village and adjacent to a Co-Op. Operated by the gastropub chain R&F, and now locally renowned for fantastic locally sourced food following a substantial refurbishment a few years ago, is The Wilford Green Pub & Kitchen.

The interior of the pub is a combination of traditional and modern features, including exposed beams and original artefacts, enclosed in a glass cabinet in the centre of the room. Seating takes the form of tables with normal chairs and bench-like sofas and the tables are all pre-set for dining. The bar includes 4 handpulls, offering a good selection of beers, in this case Harvest Pale, their own Wilford Green Ale, Courage Directors and Bombardier. After a moment's deliberation, I went for a pint of Bombardier and took it to a table near the bar, partially obscured by the aforementioned glass cabinet. The surroundings here are very comfortable and it's easy to see this place being full in the evening, especially in colder weather where I can imagine much use is made of the log fire nearby. The beer was very tasty and it's clear that care is taken over how the beer is kept and this dedication shows.

There was a lot of walking involved for much of the rest of the afternoon and this trek began on the way to the next location. Leaving Wilford Green and passing the Co-Op, I took a left onto Ruddington Lane and followed this for approximately a mile, taking me past a tram stop and a local industrial estate, Upon reaching Landmere Lane, I turned left and followed the road around where I spotted my next destination just ahead. Set in picturesque surroundings on the top of a small hill is the Apple Tree.

Operated by Mitchells and Butlers as part of their Ember Inns estate, the Apple Tree is an open plan gastropub with carpeted floors and comfortable furniture. It serves the housing development of Wilford Hill and is near to the Compton Acres estate. The bar is equipped with 8 handpulls, 5 of which are in use, and 2 of which are used to advertise upcoming beers. Available to choose from at the time of my visit are Everard's Tiger, Brains Rev. James, Ember Inns Pale Ale (brewed by Black Sheep Brewery), Tribute and Rudgate Dick Firkin. I decided on the Dick Firkin but this proved to be a mistake as it tasted unmistakably vinegary and would not settle clear. I wasted no time in swapping it for a pint of the much more delicious Tribute. It was a shame to have to swap the beer but the staff were happy enough to change it and occasionally things like this happen. The Tribute was more than enough compensation though.

I retraced my steps in order to reach the next stop on my itinerary. Upon again reaching Wilford Lane, I crossed the road and headed for the premises that stands immediately opposite, in this case the Wilford Farm branch of Harvester.

The name of the location reflects its previous use as a farm and the building still maintains the outward appearance of a farmhouse. Internally, it is divided into 2 distinct areas, with the primary dining space to one side and a smaller area designated for casual drinkers on the other. The bar is opposite the entrance and is well stocked, including 3 handpulls, 2 of which are in use and both offering Greene King IPA. Whilst not my normal choice, it is very well kept and goes down very well after my long walk between pubs.

The next part of my journey took me into Wilford village proper, which sits either side of a main road that runs directly down towards both my next location and the local tram stop. Situated almost opposite the tram stop is the very attractive façade of the Ferry Inn.

 

The Ferry Inn is operated as part of the Chef & Brewer chain of the Spirit Pub Company, recently the subject of a takeover by Greene King. The pub first opened as a tavern frequented by city gentry in the 18th century and is named after the ferry that used to run through. The history of the site goes back to the 14th century with the building originally being a farmhouse, part of which is incorporated into the current structure. By the 18th century, the farmhouse had transitioned into a coffee shop to meet the demands of a public keen on meeting in coffee houses; locations described by Charles II as places where people 'met and spread scandalous reports'. The Ferry Inn began its pub life around this period with the name of the Punch Bowl, though changed its title, to reflect the often tempestuous and occasionally fatal ferry journey which was often used as a means for moving around the city. The Church of St. Wilfrid, which lies 300 feet from the pub entrance, dates from the same period as the farmhouse and is an impressive Grade II listed building, notable for its spectacular pointed arch doorway and memorial stained glass windows honouring Nottingham poet Henry Kirke White.
The pub has retained lots of traditional features including exposed beams, wooden floors and an olde worlde charm. The bar lies opposite the entrance and the premises has a split level layout with a designated restaurant style dining area down a short flight of steps opposite the bar. The bar itself features 5 handpulls, offering on my visit a choice between Directors, Doom Bar, Shipstone's Gold Star, Marston's Pedigree and Greene King IPA. I opted for a pint of the Directors and took a seat at a high table near the bar, on a long, covered bench. In addition to the delicious beer and the history mentioned above, I knew a couple of other things about the Ferry Inn. The first is that the general manager is a friend of mine called Dan who I haven't seen for a long time and was able to have a brief catch up with. The second was that the pub suffered from a poltergeist outbreak in the early 1980s. Glasses were periodically thrown from the bar and strange knocking sounds were prevalent until an exorcism was carried out in 1982. The Ferry Inn is certainly a pub worth visiting. It's comfortable, friendly and welcoming and the beer makes the trip more than worthwhile.

The final location on today's list was another that falls slightly outside of the defined Wilford area, situated as it is on the north side of the River Trent, as part of the Riverside Retail Park. When I first moved to Nottingham, the building in question was operating as a Harry Ramsden's but for many years since has been known as Riverside Farm.

 
This family-orientated pub and carvery is very popular with both diners and drinkers with the interior divided into 2 distinct areas. The right side of the bar serves as the public bar and the left side is used for the carvery and general meals. The bar also includes 3 handpulls, with a choice of Abbot Ale, Greene King IPA and Old Speckled Hen. The Speckled Hen proved to be a good choice as it was well kept and delicious and served well as a good bookend to what had been an interesting day's exploration.

Following my pint here, it was time to make my way back into the city centre to meet Amy. My afternoon exploring the pubs in and around Wilford had been an intriguing one. This area is often overlooked but there is no reason not to visit the drinking establishments here. The beers are well kept, the pubs are welcoming and if, as I did, you pick a day of good weather to make the effort, you'll certainly enjoy what's on offer. The ease of reaching this particular area is another advantage that will definitely make a trip to this part of Nottingham worthwhile. What are you waiting for? The beer won't drink itself!

An Acre of Ale

On Friday, I had the unusual opportunity to complete a second pub trip in 3 days, something which I'm hoping to be able to do more often, work schedule permitting. My choice of location this time was one of those places where I really didn't know what to expect. The glorious weather was continuing so there seemed no reason not to spend the day out in the sunshine. Following 2 bus journeys, I made the hop over the county boundary, to the town of Sandiacre.

Sandiacre is a town in the Borough of Erewash in Derbyshire. The population of the town was 8,889 at the 2011 Census.
The name Sandiacre is usually thought to refer to a sandy acre, though another interpretation, based on Saint Diacre, is sometimes advanced.
Seven miles west of Nottingham and nine miles east of Derby, Sandiacre is part of the Greater Nottingham urban area, just on the western side of the River Erewash from Stapleford in Nottinghamshire. Sandiacre is adjoined by Long Eaton to the south and Risley to the west. Junction 25 of the M1 motorway lies in Sandiacre, where it crosses the A52 Brian Clough Way.
The Erewash Canal passes through the centre of Sandiacre, and the small basin immediately above Sandiacre Lock (No. 11 on the canal) was once the terminal link of the now-defunct Derby Canal. Situated next to the canal in the town centre is the Springfield Mill, built in 1888 as a lace mill and a reminder of Sandiacre's industrial heritage, now converted into a modern apartment complex. Examples of lace making, engineering and furniture making can still be found today. The discovery of local ironstone led to the development of Stanton Ironworks in 1787. The EWS Toton depot, which lies on the edge of Sandiacre, was a main employer in the town a number of years ago.
Although there is currently no railway station, the town was once home to a terminal on the Midland Railway, and passenger trains travelling on the St. Pancras - Manchester Piccadilly line still passed along the border with Stapleford during 2003-2004.
Transport links to Nottingham, Derby and the surrounding area are currently provided by Trent Barton.

The parish church is Saint Giles Church, which dates back to the 10th century. There is also a Methodist church in the town.
The old village lock-up still exists, situated near to St. Giles.
The 1801 census recorded Sandiacre's population as 405. By 1901, this had risen to 2954, with the 1971 census reporting a population of 7792. The current population is now hovering at an estimated 9000.

The first location on my trip was situated slightly out of the centre of the town, down Longmoor Lane, towards the border with neighbouring Long Eaton. Situated just next to the feature from which it takes its name, is The Bridge.

Operated by the Pub People Company, this is a large family-friendly pub with a massive beer garden that is hugely popular in good weather. It's no surprise that there aren't too many people inside the pub given the weather on the day of my visit. The interior is divided into designated areas with a dining area to the left of the door, a drinking area of high tables opposite the J shaped bar and a pool area, restricted to over 18s, to the right. The bar includes 4 handpulls, one of which features Weston's Rosie's Pig cider. The other 3 provide a choice of Doom Bar, Thwaites' Wainwright and Pedigree. I decided to have a pint of the Wainwright, which looked and tasted excellent, and took a seat at one of the high tables opposite the bar. It was late afternoon by the time I'd arrived in Sandiacre, so people were slowly starting to arrive at the pub following work or the school run. The pub is very much family-oriented and has a nice, relaxed atmosphere. It's a peaceful start to my excursion, helped by the well-kept beer.

Retracing my steps down Longmoor Lane, I now walked back to where I'd got off the bus which happened to be directly opposite my next location. The next 2 pubs are in very close proximity, effectively separated by a side road and a Co-Op store. The first of the these 2, and my second stop for the day, was the White Lion.

 
This large two-roomed pub is split into a separate lounge to the left and the bar to the right. Entry to the building is through a central main door and there is a beer garden to the rear. Taking the right hand door when I walked in, I arrived in the bar area, which has a small bar to the left of the entrance, a seating area towards the rear and a smaller, raised area with low benches and round tables. There are 3 handpulls available, 2 of which were in use, offering a choice between Kieron's Tipple (brewed by the landlord) and St. Austell's Tribute. I opted for the Tribute, which was very good indeed and just as it should be. I took a seat in the aforementioned raised area, which also contained a small TV that for some reason was showing Come Dine With Me with full sound. The soundtrack in the pub was rock-oriented, which is always a massive plus, particularly when Bohemian Rhapsody came on!

From here, it was on to the next pub, a literal stone's throw away and similarly named. This one was the Red Lion.

Situated at the crossroads in the town, the pub features 2 red lions, one either side of the main doorway. The pub was refurbished in 2015 and now boasts gold, black and red décor to the front. There are two areas to the pub, both served by from a bar that sits roughly in the centre, with a wall to the front side and the pub kitchen area to the rear. There are quite a few locals in at the time of my visit and the landlord is setting up what is either a DJ or karaoke station. The pub also features a few TVs, showing Sky Sports News, some with sound. There are 2 handpulls on the bar, only one of which is being used on my visit, featuring Old Golden Hen. This is very well kept and goes down very smoothly, probably helped by the hot weather. It surprised me to learn that the pub is dog friendly and one canine visitor is particularly noisy but very cute!

I had a couple more pubs to visit before I headed back to town and these weren't too far away either. The Bridge is definitely an outlier in terms of walking distance! Leaving the Red Lion, I turned left and followed Town Street, which runs adjacent to the canal until, a couple of minutes walk away on the right, is The Plough.

Owned by Mitchells and Butlers, as part of their Sizzling Pubs estate, this is a large pub that backs onto the Erewash Canal. The main entrance leads to door further doors. The left entrance leads to a bar area with a pool table, dartboard and TVs whereas the right leads to a more family-orientated dining area. Both are served by a bar with a long dividing wall connecting both sections. The rear garden leads onto the canal and the front area has parasols and large picnic tables. There is also an ample car park at the front and a smaller one to the side. Each side of the bar includes 3 handpulls, making 6 in total and these are doubled up, so offering two of each of their beers. On this occasion, the beers are Everard's Tiger, Wadworth 6X and Dorset Brewing Company Citrus Maximus. It's been a while since I had a pint of Tiger so it didn't take me long to decide what to drink here. The Tiger was at its best and a testament to what is a very good quality beer. Another surprise was in store for me here when I discovered that a mate of mine, Fletch, was now working here. I hadn't seem him since a mutual friend's wedding over a year before so it was nice for the chance of a brief catch up.

The Plough was slowly beginning to fill up with evening drinkers and there were already a large group of labourers enjoying a well earned pint after a hard day. I had one more pub to visit and, as much as it would have been nice to stay at this comfortable pub, I knew I had to go the distance. I turned right upon leaving The Plough and followed the road ahead until it split. I then took the left hand split, onto Church Street and found my final destination nestling at the top of a small incline. My last stop on today's adventure was the Blue Bell.

Situated in the older part of Sandiacre, and opposite the old 1660 village lock-up 'for drunks and stray animals', the pub has recently been refurbished. The entrance leads into the bar, where dark wood and beams are used to create a relaxing olde worlde atmosphere. There is also a stove fire, which is in use in the winter months. The rear of the pub offers seating away from the bar and a conservatory that includes a pool table. A large blue bell hangs outside the entrance to the pub in the car park. 3 of the 5 handpulls are in use, one of which features Rosie's Pig. The other 2 offer a choice of Tiger and Adnams Ghost Ship. I decided on the Ghost Ship, which was delicious as always. I took a seat at a small table, near to the fireplace whilst I reluctantly restrained myself from saying hello to a very friendly Labrador that was trying to get the attention of every passer-by.

My wanders around Sandiacre had been a good way to spend a few hours and all without taking me too far away from my bus stop back to Nottingham. When the time came to wend my way back, a few minutes walk was all it took and the bus was with me in a couple of minutes. What were my overall thoughts about Sandiacre? It was certainly a friendlier place than I'd been concerned it would be and the pubs all had a friendly atmosphere. In terms of ale (the reason I was here), things are positive. Whilst the range of beers is limited, due to the nature of the pubs and the community, there is no doubting the consistency and quality of the beers that were on offer. There was not a bad pint all day and it's not often that that can be said in smaller towns like this one. The increased emphasis on real ale nationally, particularly where it affects community pubs, is no doubt one factor in this. The rest of it can no doubt be put down to the hard work and effort put in to ensure that real ale is as good as it could be as its resurgence continues. Sandiacre surprised me immensely. A barren acre? Not a chance!