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In this series of articles, InnSpire took a look at the best pubs that were to be found in the north of Derbyshire, but did not fall within Chesterfield and District CAMRA's jurisdiction. This was to inform the discerning ale drinker of the great pubs that there were to be found if you were prepared to travel a little bit further than usual. Some were a lot nearer than you think. Cricket Inn - Totley Following on from our previous offering which was the excellent Castle Inn at Bradway, we travel westwards to the Cricket Inn at Totley - or to be more precise, Totley Bents; nestling near the foot of Totley Moor. Like The Castle Inn, Sheffield CAMRA have inexplicably (again!) elected to miss these pubs from the GBG - you guys really must get out a bit more! Those unfamiliar with the pub's location can find it by turning off Baslow Road (A625) at the Cross Scythes (bus terminus) and then turning left at The Crown and the Cricket Inn is on the left hand side, down the charmingly titled Penny Lane. Unlike old Derbyshire villages such as Dore, Bradway, Norton and Greenhill, Totley still retains an affection for its Derbyshire roots (the football team is a long standing member of the Hope Valley League), and it is easy to see why when you visit this gem of a pub. Built of Derbyshire gritstone c1865 in the shadows of the imposing Totley Moor, it is no surprise that the city of Sheffield's more urbanised residents enjoy a run out into the country and sample the delights of this pub that is literally on their doorstep with its ample, family friendly grounds which hosts cricket in the summer and football in the winter. Indeed there is surely nothing more typically English than drinking fine ale on a warm summer afternoon, whilst listening to the occasional crack of leather on willow, just audible above the chatter of playing children. How these happy times seem so far away in mid-January! The modest yet comfortable bar, with its timber floor and big open real fires, serve Ward's Sheffield Best Bitter, plus two guests ales. One of these guests is frequently the almost obligatory (in Wards houses) Waggledance. However, when your correspondent was 'doing the rounds' recently, the guest ales were both from the small Glentworth micro-brewery near Doncaster. Their Northern Lights was hoppy, refreshing and quite quaffable at 3.9% abv, but the other brew on offer, Well 'Ard , was regrettably not sampled as it ran out before we got the chance! The Cricket Inn has a very popular restaurant which serves superb food and not the stereotypical scampi and chips variety either, but meals served with that little bit of extra imagination, style and panache to suit the fussiest gastronome. I'll leave exploration of the menu to yourselves! A smashing pub that is well worth seeking out for lazy summer days and cozy winter evenings alike. "The Shadow"
This webpage was last updated on Sunday, 07 October 2007 |
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