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The Hardwick Inn -
Doe Lea The Hardwick Inn is pleasantly situated in beautiful countryside at the south gate of Hardwick Park leading from the National Trust’s Hardwick Hall. The Hall was built by The Bess of Hardwick (not personally), using the proceeds of her four marriages she built this triumph of Elizabethan architecture in 1597. Out-living all her husbands, she was eventually laid to rest in Derby Cathedral. Hardwick Hall finally passed from the Cavendish's to the National Trust in 1950. Hardwick Inn is a very popular summer evening destination for drinkers, diners, walkers and visitors to the many local historic attractions and beautiful Derbyshire countryside. This imposing 16th century building of locally quarried yellow sandstone was formerly the Lodge to Hardwick Hall. The Inn has been in the family for 3 generations currently with Peter and Pauline Batty and may possibly carry on to it’s 4th by daughters Jenny and Sarah. Although the Inn no longer caters for residents after almost 400 years, it’s hospitality remains unchanged. There is a friendly relaxed old-fashioned atmosphere in the several unspoiled rooms which still have the original beamed ceilings and windows. A real open fire warms the main bar in season, which offers over 100 malt whiskies and five real ales. I can’t name all the whiskies but I can name the real ales on offer on our visit; Theakston’s XB, Theakston’s Old Peculiar, Ruddles County, Courage Directors and Old Speckled Hen. The builder of the Hall, Elizabeth Shrewsbury (the second most famous ‘Bess’ in England), had the mortar mixed with beer in severe winter weather to prevent it freezing! Any suggestions as to what beer she might have used? Like the Hall, the pub is very busy at weekends, which we can confirm as we arrived for a quiet drink at 7pm on a Saturday night in June. Only to find the place packed with drinkers and family’s eating out. The Hardwick Inn certainly has the ability to cope with all its visitors on a summers evening. With a beer garden at the front, side and rear of the inn there is plenty of room for everyone. The 80 seater no smoking restaurant was also in full swing when we arrived and was coping well with a wedding party who were enjoying the hospitality. If you haven’t been yet, make the trip you will be pleasantly surprised. Unaccredited The Princess Victoria - Matlock Bath The Princess Vic, South Parade at Matlock Bath is in appearance different from the traditional English Pub. It has a bar style appearance. As visitors to Matlock Bath walk along the South Parade the inside of the Vic is clearly visible through the two large bay windows. Push the swing doors and that is where the difference ends. This former CAMRA Good Beer Guide Pub has a warm comfortable feel with an open real fire, wooden panelled walls and a warm welcome by Steven Adams the licensee together with Grace and Brian who have now been at the Princess Vic for 12 years. The real ale on offer is consistently good and customers can enjoy a choice from Pedigree, Green King, Abbott, Bombadier and Timothy Taylor's Landlord. This Freehouse is open all day every day and home cooked food is available at lunchtimes. This gem of a pub is ideally placed when visitors are attracted to Matlock Bath during the lights display in October and November. So, look out for the Vic when you are next in Matlock Bath and pay them a visit. Unaccredited Spa Lane Vaults Rises From The Ashes Of
The Phoenix The Story So Far... Trade directories suggest that the vaults
soon became the major part of the business, as by 1872 it was known as the
Spa Hotel, which also boasted concert room. Over the next few years several
names were employed, including 'Spa Inn and Vaults' and briefly 'Spa
Vaults'. The name was finally changed to Phoenix Inn in the early 1880's,
which it retained until its recent closure. Older drinkers will probably remember the pub
was also known as 'Billy Greens'. This refers to a longstanding landlord,
who kept the pub for an astonishing 52 years. Born In the pub trade, his
father kept the Kings Head on Knifesmithgate. As a collier he had won the
Pitmen's Bantam Weight Boxing Championship of England in 1911. Billy Green
had to give up boxing on health grounds, but his boxing career gave him the
perfect qualifications to become a publican. In 1923 he was asked by the
Police to take on the licence of the Phoenix as it had lost three landlords
in 9 months because the clientele, reported to be mainly Italian and Irish,
were so rough. John Hirst This webpage was last updated on Sunday, 07 October 2007 |
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