"The Hopeless" has two bars; the usual and a lounge. Both are great for different needs. The Main…read morebar shows football and has music for having a good ol' social. The Lounge on the other hand has comfy seats and a roaring fire great for a quiet chat. in the Summer the beer garden is a well placed sun trap. It has the unfortunate habit of keeping people there longer than they should! The staff are always friendly and helpfull no matter how awkward the request.They also have a regularly changing selection of ales; one of the breweries can be seen from the pub!. It is regularly featured in the Derby Drinker guide. Be sure to ask Kevin about his malt whiskeys, he is knowledgeable but not condescending on a subject he clearly loves. Just see the tasting notes on the menu. The menu is somehow concise but all encompassing. It ranges from a bowl of chips to a posh steak baguette. The shared platter is a particular treat and in no way will break the bank. An function room can be hired for special occasions with its own bar and optional buffet meals. It's also used for the occasional gig. I particularly like to use the lounge for finishing off those last emails after the office has closed (Ask behind the bar for the free WiFi password). Have a drink, a bite and sit by the fire enjoying the end of the day.

Great pub with excellent well kept ales and lots of choice. Beers from Tribute, Wirksworth brewery…read moreand Derby Brewing Co on when i was there. Could have stayed here all afternoon as it was stayed for two delicious pints and exceptionally cheap food. We are Chips butties, Bacon cobs, vege and meat burgers, all for a couple of quid. Nothing posh here just good beer drinker's grub. Sundays lunches are said to be pretty good too. We uses this pub as a base for a walk up to the Black Rocks, good location in the centre of the village, can nip out to the antiquie shops from here if you like. Beer garden in summer. It's a winner!

Visit this pub later on in the evening and you find a small bustling pub full of interesting people…read moretrying a wide variety of ales from all over the country.

A great little pub with a friendly atmosphere…read more The Blacks head is its own self contained little world. Being effectively just one room there is the atmosphere of one large party where everyone is out together. Even though this can lead to being tightly packed it doesn't reduce the fun in any way. On a Friday and Saturday night don't expect to get a seat. The beer is sold as Hardy and Hansons but is actually a Green King copy (the Kimberly brewery was shut around 2006). For its small size they have a large range of beers on tap and there is always one guest beer to try. The wine has improved over time and the price has reflected this becoming close to that of a restaurant. The lunch menu is very deceptive. From the pub grub listings - soup, burgers, jacket potato - come carefully made and wonderfully presented meals. The food comes from local producers who you can often find enjoying a drink later on. The feel of the Blacks certainly changes with the seasons. In winter the roaring fire and small space provides good warmth from the cold. A heated shelter out back providing a seated smoking area. When summer arrives the doors are flung open to allow free movement from the bar to the market place. You can often spot groups under the afternoon tree shade taking in a drink and the greatest views in town. summer also opens the rear beer garden. This has a quiet space to sit and eat on the decked area. Just be careful of the steps! The pubs best asset are its devoted regulars who come in time and again. They are all friendly, open and willing to talk to anyone. It's they who really make the Blacks Head my favorite place to be... Full disclosure: Worked there as PT barstaff between 2004 - 2009

Green King pub serving Hardy's and Hansons Kimberly bitter and Old Trip. Small pub, full of locals…read more The landlady was very friendly in chatting to us and all customers! She gave me a leaflet on the history of the pub and it's name. There are displays of Black's Head beers and memorabilia on the walls. Good place for interests sake but nothing stunning about the beer for me.

A little gem of a gastro pub in the middle of nowhere. Booking definitely recommended. Food was…read moredelicious (and other people have said their Sunday roasts are the best around, although I haven't tried them myself). Fresh flowers in the toilets - THAT'S when you know you're somewhere nice!

A lovely old place, with fields surrounding. Gorgeous views. Staff were all very friendly, as were…read morethe locals in the pub. The food was excellent. An extensive menu of good food, freshly cooked, nice and hot(huge cooked breakfast too) and great value for money. The room we had was pleasant, had 2 windows, a four-poster bed, and a nice bathroom. Would definitely visit again.

About 100 yards from the High Peak Trail and well worth making the diversion. Half a dozen real…read moreales, honest food and really friendly hosts make this pub a must.

The Boat Inn is a lovely old real ale pub in Cromford, generally regarded as the best place for…read morepunters in the village. Its scenic location, the inviting old building, and the cozy, dark wood interior make this a top recommendation for locals and visitors alike. Staff are very friendly, and the real ale selection very nice. As many old pubs, the layout is scattered into different small areas, so you'll be able to enjoy your privacy and it doesn't get too loud. Because it is so popular, it can get quite busy on a weekend.

A really cozy and old pub in a really nice little town (Arkwright) near Matlock Bath in the lovely…read moreDerbyshire Dales. We visited as they allow dogs in, we wanted food and wanted a good choice of Real Ales. Everything was good, we had a slight mix up on the order but it was quickly rectified and a full refund was given, no questions asked. Great service. The food was lovely too. Just watch if you go the blue cheese burger... it really is *very* blue cheese. I can still taste it over a month later!

The Greyhound is a spacious and stylish pub and restaurant (and hotel) in Cromford (not Matlock…read moreBath). It is in the centre (so to speak) of the village, you can't miss it if you go by the main road. Visitors by train (like me, doing a rail trail along the river Derwent between Matlock and Derby) should know that it is a 15 minute walk from the station, with almost nothing of interest in between. But the second recommended Cromford pub, The Boat Inn, is nearby this place. The Greyhound has limited real ales on hand pump, staff were very friendly and the décor is certainly upmarket and attractive. This is really big pub which earns it a recommendation for groups.

Great service, good tasty food at a fair price. Good selection of ales and the ambiance of the…read moreplace is enjoyable.

Took the dog for a walk on a glorious sunny day. Walked along lanes and footpaths surveying the…read moremeadows between Crich and Fritchley. Arrived at the Red Lion at noon. The landlord was happy to let me bring the dog into the pub. He explained that they were promoting local real ale and offered me a taste of one. While he pulled a pint for me, another chap got the dog a bowl of cold water. Then the dog and me sat under a parasol in the beer garden taking in the attractive village green. Pretty close to heaven to be honest.