The Dale

A new find. Purely by chance. Drove past the previous week when we visited the Elwes Arms on 1st June. And then visited on 22nd June. This is a classic town pub - flat roof, a few regulars. Tucked away in the shopping centre I can imagine it gets busy on a Saturday night. It has a bar one side and lounge the other. We were made welcome enough. No real ale. But still a surviving pub against the odds given the way a lot of pubs like this have gone.

Fox and Hounds, Exton

A very traditional coaching inn in the remote village of Exton in Rutland. As quintessentially English as it gets! Great food, roaring fire, one road in to the village and one out. No phone signal. Smart, traditional rooms and even a bar on the lawn for entertaining in the summer. Classic.

Sir John Borlase Warren

Now an Everard's pub. This is still well known for being a slightly higher class pub. Popular with residents of The Park. With lots of history. But when we went it was between landlords and the beer had to be sent back. Twice. I have been before and know that it can have atmosphere - especially on a warm day in the raised beer garden out back. But not a good visit at all this time. Ah well.....onwards!

Maybe we'll come back when it's under new management.

Organ Grinder

Formerly the Red Lion this is one of the very last pubs on Alfreton Road. The last of many pubs all lost in the last 10 years or so. Now owned and run by Blue Money brewery this is a tale of success like so many well thought out micro-breweries these day. Loads of first rate real ale on tap. Busy on any day or night of the week. A great little roof top patio / beer garden. Quiz nights. In 1 word, thriving.

The Moog

According to my "Bible" of old Nottingham Pubs this former Home Ales pub - "The Albion" - was demolished in the 70s. So how lucky am I to have been in 2013?!
My favourite design of pub - the classic white walled, rounded corner pub. Updated inside to appeal to a younger, student market. No real ale. But open! And set up for a birthday bash when we went. Just great for historical reasons if nothing else. And just a stone's throw from Alfreton Road where almost all pubs have closed.

UPDATE 2nd March 2019, closed and being turned into student flats:

Hand and Heart

A quality, individual pub with character. Built into the sandstone caves of Nottingham this historic pub has been restored to a classy inn serving quality real ale with a garden room on the first floor. A lovely pub. The Nottingham Brewery ale was spot on.

Returned on 22nd June 2013 and it was just as good.

The Mill

This is a classic example of a 1970s estate pub. Large car park. Brick building. Small front room lounge with pool table. Quite busy when we went. Real ale. Theakston's Best Bitter. Simple pub for the local estate. Many pubs like this have closed but The Mill is clearly doing something right.

The Beacon Aspley

Now this is more like it! A classic mock Tudor pub in Aspley, still surviving where others like the Cocked Hat have long since gone. This pub was very lively when we went. No real ale as not much call for it but there is a darts team, ladies darts, skittles....in fact a different pub team playing every night of the week. Clearly very well run and popular with locals. We were made welcome by the staff.

The Crown

An imposing and classic Nottingham landmark pub. Formerly Home Ales. Large open bar. Typical chain furniture and menu. Real Ale. The Harvest Pale was decent enough. But it felt lacking in atmosphere and character when we went. Bar staff not interested in conversation. Altogether quite a forgettable pub.

The Vine

OK, so we've already done this one. And it's a fave. But it's not closed as predicted. It's been re-vamped. So in fact I was lucky to see it in its "unspoilt" glory back in March 2013. Because it now looks very different!
Bar in a new location, new furniture....and all done by the new owner. By himself. Good effort. Long may it thrive.

Update 2022

Still going strong. Was made welcome when I caught up with the place in Jan 2022.

Willow Tree Inn

From the outside this looks like a typical estate pub. Inside, we got a fantastic welcome from the barmaid, it was extremely well presented - clearly geared up for food, and busy with diners. And they had Theakston's Best Bitter on. A great little find.

Old Volunteer

A cracking little pub, now run by an Italian family and offering authentic Italian cuisine. Really smart decor inside. Has a gastro pub feel.

Railway

Something of a classic, heritage pub and a great shame at the same time. Traditional station pub, smart enough inside with decent real ale. Smoking area with outside television! But the whole place needs a bit of TLC. Beer garden untidy and the pub is advertised as up for rent.

Cross Keys

An old classic pub in the centre of Burton Joyce. Decent real ale. Copper Dragon and Bass. Bit of a 70s feel inside.

Entering Burton Joyce with the back of the Wheatsheaf on the left.

Fox and Hounds

An historic railway station pub in Netherfield. Pool table. Built in 1876. Boxing ring upstairs! Old fashioned welcome. No real ale.

Elwes Arms

A lovely little find tucked away at the end of Oakdale Road. Especially on an idyllic spring, Sunday afternoon. Very smart pub. Great Harvest Pale. Didn't try the TT Landlord. Very busy outside but quiet and civilised. Loads of tables in the sunshine. Could have settled in for the afternoon. Will definitely be back.

UPDATE DECEMBER 2020 : Temporarily closed