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Pubs In and Around Cromford The original settlement of ‘Crunforde’ (meaning crooked ford) was by the River Derwent, in the area now known as Cromford Bridge, where the church can still be found. Cromford is well worth the effort of a visit, especially if you look beyond the main street and discover the parts that existed before a certain Richard Arkwright arrived. Whilst on the face of it the grandly named ‘Derwent Valley Mills World Heritage Site’ is his legacy to the area, Arkwright, and his successors, have also had influence over the history of a number of Cromford pubs, past and present.
Boat Inn : Situated on Scarthin near to the mill pond, the Boat Inn was built about 1772 as a flour merchants business, although some bits of the building are said to be older. By the early 1830s it was being used as a beerhouse, known as the New Inn. The first known landlord, Anthony Boden, was also a butcher. Later the name changed to the Hit or Miss, possibly a reference to inconsistent beer quality? At an auction in September 1865 the pub was described as a ‘freehold beer-house and dwelling-house at Scarthen Row recently called “Hit or Miss” and now called “The Boat”, comprising … brewhouse, slaughterhouse …’ It belonged to William Allen who had changed the name of the beerhouse since he was a boatman on the Cromford Canal. Granted a full licence in 1954 and one of three remaining pubs in Cromford, this freehouse offers an excellent selection of real ales, many from local independent breweries. Bull’s Head : Scarthin was well populated in the 18th and 19th centuries and was able to support the Bull’s Head and two beerhouses (see the Boat and Wheatsheaf). The Bull’s Head was the oldest of these, as confirmed by Trade Directory records and also by the fact that it held a full licence (beerhouse licences were only available from 1830 onwards). The pub, now demolished, stood at the bottom (Market Place) end of Scarthin. Whilst the exact date of closure is unknown, the pub ceased being mentioned in records in the 1880s.
George and Dragon : A beerhouse situated at Cromford Bridge, the George and Dragon was only listed in 1835 & 1842. Greyhound Hotel : Originally called the Black Greyhound and built as a hotel in 1778 by Richard Arkwright to house businessmen and other visitors to Cromford, the Greyhound provided a focal point for village activities although it is said that mill workers were not allowed inside it. The pub has also been known locally as the ‘Black Dog’ and in an 1828 Trade Directory, it was described as a commercial inn and coach house. Edward Bradbury (1880), describing a journey on the Cromford & High Peak Railway, wrote that ‘…and “The Greyhound” at Cromford is eloquent of a refreshing bath, and of a well-cooked dish of plump trout that were rising at flies in the cool Derwent an hour ago.’ Matthew Hill, of the Cromford Brewery was the proprietor for some years before the brewery relocated to Cromford Mill (brewing ceased in 1914). The hotel still stands in Cromford market place and, when last checked, was offering real ale. Junction Inn : The Junction Inn was a public house in the vicinity of Lea Mills, that existed for about 40 years. Owned by the Arkwright family, it was first listed in an 1846 Trade Directory as a pub/inn, the first known landlord being Samuel Brown. The final listing that has been discovered was in 1881, when the landlord was James Brown. The ‘Junction’ name originates from the pub’s location at High Peak Junction, approximately one mile south east of Cromford Village on the A6. It was here that the Cromford & High Peak Railway (completed in 1831) had its original terminus and it was also the point where it met up with the Cromford Canal, enabling goods to be transported from canal to railway and vice versa. The pub was situated on a thin strip of land between the canal and the Midland Railway. In the 1880s the Midland Railway Company decided to straighten the track in the High Peak Junction area and, to achieve this, the pub was demolished. King’s Head : The King’s Head, described as a three-storey Georgian Inn, stood at the side of Masson Mill. The inn was listed in the earliest trade directory for the area (1828) and was last recorded as open in 1857. By 1862 it was stated as being empty and subsequently became a private house until it was demolished in the 1970s to allow the A6 to be widened. Railway Inn : The Railway Inn was situated in the area known as Steeple Houses at the top of Cromford Hill. At this point the bridge that carried the Cromford & High Peak Railway (C&HPR) across the Wirksworth road can still be found. The building next to it at the junction of Steeple Grange and Oakerthorpe Road was once the Railway Inn, just inside Wirksworth parish. Originally known as the Cromford & High Peak Railway Inn, and thought to have been built by the Arkwright family, the pub was recorded as being open as early as 1828, before the C&HPR was operational. For many years in the 19th century it was in the hands of the Howsley (also spelt Houseley) family who were also farmers. Whilst the exact date and reason for closure are not known, the pub was no longer open by the early 1920s.
Rutland Arms : The Rutland Arms, a mill workers pub first recorded in 1842, stood in a terraced row directly opposite Masson Mill. It was demolished, along with adjacent housing, to allow the A6 to be widened in the 1970s. The last known landlord, Ossie Whittaker, also supplied bottled ale for the weekly dances in the Pavilion at Matlock Bath. One local drinker recalls that the pub had a pinball machine in the 1960s and there was a small prize (e.g. a packet of cigarettes) for the highest score of the day. Wheatsheaf : According to the history board in the Boat Inn, a beerhouse known as the Wheatsheaf was situated at Scarthin (along with the Bull’s Head) and in 1841 was kept by Matthew Beastall. It is not known when it closed. Un-named pub/beerhouse : It is thought that there may have been a pub or beerhouse on Cromford Hill at its junction with Bakers Lane. No further details are known. The Arkwright Society’s main aim is to restore Cromford Mill to full working condition and they offer tours around the mill. A tour of historic Cromford is also available (the 18th century prison cells in particular are not to be missed!) They can be contacted at The Visitor Services Department, Cromford Mill, Cromford, Derbyshire, DE24 3RQ. Tel: 01629 823256. The website is currently under construction - www.arkwrightsociety.org.uk This article could not have been written without the help of the following; Glynn Waite and Doreen Buxton kindly provided personal notes, and Martyn Gillie of the Arkwright Society helped locate many of the ex-pubs. Finally Andy Pollock and Robin Jeffcoat from the Middleton Top Visitor’s Centre, High Peak Trail provided information on the location of the Junction Inn. Jim McIntosh Pubs In and Around
Marsh Lane Marsh Lane was probably little more than a
collection of farms and small holdings until the late 18th C. Its importance
always lagged behind its near neighbours such as Eckington, Troway and
Ridgeway, which all had industries such as scythe and sickle making to bring
greater prosperity. However the construction of the Eckington to Coal Aston
turnpike in the 1790s brought with it the need to service the requirements
of travellers. Alongside a growing population, this resulted in a total of
four pubs and beerhouses opening by the mid-1860s. Only two now remain as a
result of the recent, and unnecessary, closure and demolition of the George
Inn on Lightwood Road. This was NOT the NEDDC Planning Department’s finest
hour. However this section ought to end on a positive note, achieved by
giving a special mention to Eric & Ann Harrison who kept the George as an
excellent pub in the 1990s, serving many wonderful beers and providing
memorable nights for all.
Turning to the source of the name, the Prince of Wales opened in the early 1860s and, like many pubs that opened around this time, was named after the hugely popular Edward, Prince of Wales. He eventually became Edward VII in 1901 on the death of Queen Victoria and reigned until his own death in 1910. Two other pubs have historically been included in the Marsh Lane district for licensing purposes: Phoenix, High Lane : Still open, and originally near to the works of T.J. Hutton, who exported scythes and sickles all over the world. The works, which opened in 1822, eventually became known as the Phoenix Scythe works and the pub may have opened about the same time to get the custom of the 20 people employed there. It may have taken a while for sufficient trade to be built up as a landlord in the 1820s, Robert Turner, was also a carpenter. Brewery owners have included John Smiths and Sheffield Free Brewery. Bridge Inn, Ford : Became licensed premises in the 1840s (a beerhouse is listed in Trade Directories at Ford as early as 1842, the licensee being Isaac Guest). In 1849 Isaac Guest was still at the pub, which now had a full licence (rather than the more easily obtainable beerhouse licence). Brewery owners have included A H Smith and Tennants. An engraved stone built into the front wall of the pub states ‘The Land Tax of all the Buildings belonging to J Hutton in this Parish is redeemed 1823’. The Hutton’s were a Ridgeway family with scythe-making interests and may have owned the Bridge before it was an inn. The pub is well situated for exploring the nearby woods, in which can be found the restored ‘Seldom Seen Engine House’. The Engine House is thought to have been built between 1855 and 1875 and once housed a massive winding wheel for Plumbley Colliery. The Penny Engine Railway (so named because the fare was one old penny) ran from here to Renishaw. Jim McIntosh Pubs In and Around
Brimington Situated two miles to the north east of
Chesterfield, the development of Brimington’s inns and pubs has been
influenced by its transport links. Early travellers used the stagecoaches to
and from Gainsborough and Manchester that passed through the village whilst
the Chesterfield Canal, built in the late 1770s, passes nearby. Two further
events occurred in 1841 when Brimington Common was enclosed and the road to
Calow surveyed. Many of the pubs built to serve these travellers have
survived into the 21st century, the grandfather of them all being the Three
Horseshoes, a coaching inn that can be dated back to the 18th century. Butchers’ Arms Canal Tavern Corner House Markham Arms Mill Miners’ Arms Prince of Wales Red Lion Three Horseshoes Victoria Hotel Getting There – Frequent buses from Chesterfield using the following services - 17, 47, 70, 72 & 77. References – ‘A history of Brimington from the Domesday Survey to 1937’ – Vernon Brelford & ‘Brimington – the changing face of a Derbyshire village – Brimington Parish Council. Thanks to John Hirst for supplying additional pub information. Jim McIntosh Troway Troway (meaning either ‘the trough’ or
‘valley road’) lies just beyond Marsh Lane, near Eckington in the Moss
Valley. It is a wonderful place for nature and walking, and is possibly
North East Derbyshire’s best kept secret. From the 15th to the 19th century
the area was famed for scythe and sickle production but the dams and mill
wheels are now abandoned or gone. In their place, most of the land is used
for agriculture and it is easy to forget that the hamlet is little more than
six miles from Sheffield. Jim McIntosh This webpage was last updated on Sunday, 07 October 2007 |
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Copyright © 1996 - 2007 Chesterfield & District CAMRA |
Bell
Inn : The Bell (pictured) was one of two pubs that stood on either side
of North Street at its junction with Cromford Hill (the Cock Inn being the
other). Richard Arkwright built the street in 1776-7 to house mill workers
although it is not clear if the pubs opened around this time. It is said
that Arkwright encouraged his workers (and their children) to drink beer
rather than the local water supply as the latter suffered from lead
contamination. The earliest known landlord (1828), James Gell, was also a
maltster and it is possible that he brewed beer on the premises. The pub is
now part of the Hardys & Hansons estate and is a fine example of a
traditional Derbyshire local, with two cask-conditioned beers available.
Cock
Inn : Situated on North Street at the opposite corner to the Bell and
now a private residence (43 & 45 Cromford Hill), the Cock Inn (pictured) was
one of five Cromford pubs included in an 1828 Trade Directory. The earliest
known landlord, John Mart, was also listed as a carrier (1828) and a farmer
(1860). From the information available, it appears that the premises were
used as a tea room after the licence was surrendered in 1893. This is
supported by a postcard, dated about 1910, which shows a refreshment room
sign outside the building.
Crown
Inn : The Crown (pictured) was recorded as a public house in trade
directories for the period 1828-1842 although the exact date and reason for
closing are not known. Situated towards the bottom of Cromford Hill between
‘Cromford Newsagents’ and ‘Janets’, the premises were subsequently used as a
butcher’s and then a shop called ‘Collectors’ Corner’. The building is now a
private residence.
Red
Lion : The Red Lion (pictured) was only open for around 30 years in the
middle of the 19th century. The only known landlord, George Eaton, was also
a farmer. The building, now a private house, is situated half way up
Cromford Hill.
George
: Opened in the 1850s and situated on Lightwood Road. Originally a Worksop &
Retford Brewery were owners, but by the 1990s it had become a popular free
house and a regular entry in CAMRA’s Good Beer Guide. The fortunes of the
pub then took a downturn and planning permission was requested for the pub
to be replaced by a housing development, initially in late 2002. The George
Inn closed its doors for the last time on Sunday 24 November 2002 and with
the necessary planning permission finally obtained in April 2003, the pub
was demolished in May 2003. George IV, who reigned 1820-30, was depicted on
the last signboard. 
Prince
of Wales : A beerhouse that was situated at 54 Lightwood Road (just
along from the George), and is thought to have originally brewed its own
beer. Later on it was owned or leased by Sheffield Brewery, famous for
‘Matchless Ales’ and, following a takeover in 1955, by Tennant Brothers’
Brewery of Sheffield. A notable statistic from the pub’s history is that the
licensees for the whole of the period 1862-1921 were both called William
Ridgeway, and were father and son. As well as running the beerhouse, William
senior also worked as a coal miner in order to keep his wife and four
children plus a house servant. After closure around 1960, the premises stood
derelict for several years until sold by auction in 1971 as a private
residence. Fortunately photographic evidence of the Prince of Wales remains
– in particular a Harvest Festival scene featuring landlord and landlady
Fred and Annie Rollins, and their daughter Mary. The external shot was
taken in April 1966 when the property was derelict. 
A
coaching inn that dates back to the 18th century, it was one of only two
pubs in Brimington in 1828. At that time it was run by John & Mary Greaves
who had been licensees
A
beerhouse found next to the Chesterfield Canal (north bank), at the side of
Staveley Works. When it closed in 1963, the Derbyshire Times faithfully
recorded the event. It was reported that this ‘halfforgotten’ pub was due to
close on 4 April and was then to be demolished. The landlord at that time
was a Mr. Alfred Ernest Crane. The pub, which sold Gilmours Brewery beers,
also had stabling for four horses and these were no doubt used when boatmen
rested at the Tavern for the night. In terms of location, Staveley Works was
said to be ‘in the pub’s backyard’ and the pub came right up to the edge of
the canal. 
Previously
known as the New Inn (until 1903/4) and Great Central (until 1991), situated
next to the Chesterfield Canal. A gruesome murder occurred near to the pub
in March 1886. The victim was Mr. Herbert Crookes, a businessman who lived
near Cutthorpe. On the night in question, Mr. Crookes was heading home
along the canal towpath from Clowne. A boy at ‘the nearby New Inn’ heard
screams about 11.30pm. Whilst it is known that robbery was the motive for
the attack, the murderers were never caught. 
The
oldest pub in the area is now known as the Black-a-Moor although this is a
derivation of the pub’s original name, the Blackmoor’s Head (from a 19th
century Trade Directory). The name is said to have originated from the time
of the crusades in the 11th and 12th centuries when coloured men were
regarded as infidel, barbaric and cruel and the Turks or ‘moors’ were
regarded as the enemies of Christianity. This is a more likely source of the
name rather than the pub’s proximity to ‘Moortop farm’. Indeed the pub’s
signboard used to show a dark moorland scene that probably added to the
confusion.
The
other pub in the area is the Gate Inn that stands just down the hill from
the Black-a-Moor on the valley side. The Gate was built as a farmhouse and
cottages for farm workers used to stand where the car park is now. By 1833,
part of the property had been given over to a beerhouse, the first recorded
landlord being James Oates. It is not known whether beer was ever brewed on
the premises, but it is a possibility.