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A day over in Chesterfield with “House of Ales” – Karl, Cheryl and Matthew taking part in one of the “Chesterfield Great Historic Pub Tour” run by Shaun. This one was The Brampton Mile, starting with the furthest out “The Star” and heading back towards Chesterfield finishing at “The Junction”, visiting 16 pubs on the way, which includes 14 pubs, 1 Brewery and 1 Micropub, a great range of places to visit.
Check out “Chesterfield Great Historic Pub Tour” on Facebook – CLICK HERE
A photo showing the “original” Brampton Mile in the 1980s.
The Star
My first call of the day and the starting point for the tour was to “The Star”. A lovely two roomed pub with faux half-timbering both inside and out, with a large long beer garden at the rear. Its full drinks licence was granted in 1949. It had a long running licensee Brian Dickenson who retired from the pub in 1992 after a massive 31 years in the pub, a great achievement. Great warm welcome in here today.
A choice of 2 cask ales on the bar today, with this being the starting point I went with both, starting with “Twin Coast” from Sharps Brewery, a very easy drinking session pale ale. I went onto “Best Bitter” from North Yorkshire based Theakston Brewery, a great traditional English Bitter.
Peacock Inn
A very short walk brings me to the “Peacock Inn”. This was a late pub to get its first drinks licence having applied in 1869, and being granted in 1954. It has had several owners from Scarsdale Brewery, Whitbread, Tom Cobleigh and a pub co. A lovely decorated pub split into 2 rooms (one either side of the bar), alongside a great outdoor area to the rear.
A choice of 2 cask ales on the bar today, being “Timothy Taylors Landlord” and “Hobgoblin”. I went with Landlord from Keighley based Timothy Taylors Brewery, a popular pale ale, always great tasting and refreshing.
The Victoria
Slightly off the main road next to visit “The Victoria”. A pub built in 1864 having being owned by Ind Coope of Burton-on-Trent, with alterations in 1943 including inside toilets. It gained its full drinks licence in 1959. Some time later in 1990 it was sold to Wards Brewery from Sheffield until the brewery closed, the name can be seen in the stained glass windows at the front of the pub. A central bar with a number of small rooms around it including a pool table area. A great warm welcome from behind the bar.
A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar today to choose from. I went with “Farmers Blonde” from Sheffield based Bradfield Brewery. A favourite of mine, a very easy drinking, light and refreshing blonde ale.
The Britannia
A short walk again this time brings me to “The Britannia”, a pub dating back to 1831. During the spell of licensee John Lenthall, a bowling green and running track was built next to the pub. The bowling green can still be accessed from the pub car park today. In 1904 it was bought by Wm Stones Ltd. A lovely traditional pub with low ceilings and lots of small rooms and a great outdoor space.
A choice of 4 cask ales on the bar here including being one of the only places you can still get a pint of Stones Bitter on cask. Didn’t want to miss this chance so went with this, a great, delicious and easy drinking traditional English Bitter.
Rose & Crown
Directly over the road, located on the corner is my next call to the “Rose & Crown”. This was bought in 1878 after formerly being a house by John Richdale’s brewery of Sheffield. It was rebuilt in 1940, the old pub being at the front where the car park is now. A number of closures and changes eventually saw it reopened in 2009 by Brampton Brewery with a refurb and refit into the awesome pub it is inside today. A fantastic layout with a very relaxing feel to the place and a great outdoor beer garden at the front and rear. Has also won a number of awards.
A great line up of 10 cask beers on the bar, a number of keg beers and a huge range of ciders. Lots to choose from in here. Went with a beer from local Brampton Brewery, “Brampton Best”, a tasty traditional English Bitter and very easy drinking packed full of flavour.
The Real Ale Corner
A walk back onto Chatsworth Road and into “The Real Ale Corner”. A great small Micropub, being one of the earliest to open following “The Butchers Arms” in Kent, opening in 2009. A one roomed pub with bench seating around the sides and a very relaxed and community feel to the pub. One side is full of bottles and cans to drink in or takeaway, with some breweries showcased being from Northamptonshire (where the current owners are from).
A great line up of 3 cask beers, 4 keg beers and a cider to choose from in here. Rare to see Kasteel Rubus and Rouge on keg in here. I went with “Zephyr” from Sheffield based Triple Point Brewing. A super hoppy pale ale using Amarillo, Cascade, Centennial and Citra Hops. Lots of flavour packed into this beer.
The Tap House
A short walk down Chatsworth Road to my next call into “The Tap House”. This pub can be traced back to 1842 when it was the house of a Blacksmith, when changed to a pub it was known as the Three Horse Shoes (unsurpisingly). It was granted its full drinks licence in 1961 and has had several owners during its history including the Watts family, Tob Cobleigh, Thwaites and Barlow Brewery. The pub closed in 2020 during the pandemic but has since reopened. A fantastic bar as you enter with seating around it, and a great outdoor beer garden to the rear.
A great line up of 8 cask ales, alongside a number of ciders to choose from in here. I went with “Bowie”, from Bakewell, Derbyshire based Thornbridge Brewery. A great light and easy drinking blonde ale.
The Duke
Another short walk brings me to a trio of pubs, all have mock Tudor frontages added to the pub front which look great and add lots of character, this being the first of them. This pub was originally named “The Red Lion” and dates back to the 1800’s where Samuel Gregory was the landlord for somewhere around 30 years and was the sole pub in the area selling Reid & Co’s London Porter. It was closed for a period of time, reopening in March 2018 as The Crafty Dog, and later The Duke. A well laid out and decorated space inside with a beer garden to the rear.
A selection of keg beers to choose from in here, along with a range of lagers. I went with “Jute” from West Yorkshire based Salt Brewery. A tasty hazy pale ale using both Australian and American Hops to add lots of flavour.
Barrel Inn
A few doors down is the “Barrel Inn”, dating back to 1822 when the area its located in was known as Welshpool. It was rebuilt in 1915 along with what was an adjoining shop into the pub it is today. The second pub with a mock Tudor frontage. A stained glass painting of the original pub can be seen on an inside window (was unable to get a photo as people sat next to it). A fantastic outdoor beer garden both covered and uncovered at the rear.
The Anchor
Over the road to “The Anchor”, which was originally owned by Chesterfield Brewery opening in 1869, later becoming a Mansfield Brewery pub in 1935 when they bought out Chesterfield Brewery. The third pub with a mock Tudor frontage within walking distance and all visible from each other. A great pub with lots out outdoor space to both sides and a great feel inside with a drinking area and a food area, very well decorated.
A choice of 3 cask ales on the bar to choose from as well as a cider. I went with “Turtley Tropical” from Sheffield based Little Critters Brewing Company. A fantastically fruity pale ale, really refreshing and packed full of fruity flavour.
Tramway Tavern
Next call is to the “Tramway Tavern”, dating back to 1869 and its original named being The New Inn. It got its full drinks licence in 1952. It was extensively refurbished and opened in December 2010 as the “Tramway Tavern” run by local Brampton Brewery. A fantastic space inside, very welcoming and lots of different seating areas, including an outside area being a throwback to the Chesterfield Trams.
A line up of 8 cask beers, 4 being from Brampton Brewery and the other 4 being guests. A choice of keg beers and ciders to add to these. I went with “God Bless the Absentee” from Brampton Brewery, a great tasting IPA packed full of flavour.
Brampton Brewery / Brampton Bierhuis
My next call is the “Brampton Brewery” / “Brampton Bierhuis” in Chatsworth Industrial Estate. Located in an area that was formerly part of the East Midlands Electricity Board with an outdoor swimming pool being located behind it, the yard next to it being the maintenance sheds for the Chesterfield Tramway. The brewery was resurrected in 2007 by a small group of local enthusiasts, and brought brewing back to Brampton for the first time in 52 years. A fantastic space inside, it looks amazing, full of character and even includes a bottle clock above the bar. Was great chatting to brewer Rachel behind the bar.
A number of historical items in here including an original clocking in machine (presumably for the Electrical Board), and the pub sign from The Terminus.
A line up of 3 cask beers, alongside a number of keg beers and a huge bottled beer range to drink in or takeaway. I went with their famous “Brampton Mild”. A really delicious and tasty mild ale packed full of flavour and very rich.
The Mile
Next call on the Brampton Mile is “The Mile”, dating back to 1862 known as “The Grouse”. Its full licence was granted in in 1869, very early on compared to a lot of others in the area. In summer 2022 it changed to Dizzy Duck and later to its current name The Mile. Hosting a BBQ on a Saturday also which smelt delicious.
The next 4 pubs I have included History on for completion but due to travel constraints did not get to visit.
Brampton Social Club
Next along the road is “Brampton Social Club”, originally named the Alma Inn and leased to Scarsdale Brewery in 1872. Also has been owned by Tennants of Sheffield, Brampton Brewery (Old) and John Smiths. It had its full drinks licence granted in 1951. It is now a freehouse and offers 2 rotating cask ale lines.
Spotted Frog
Next along the road is the “Spotted Frog”, dating back to 1869 when it was leased to Brampton Brewery (old), and was named The Royal Oak. It gained its full drinks licence in 1950. After a period of closure it reopened in 2019 as the “Spotted Frog”. Serves a choice of 2 cask beers.
The Junction
Last on the mile is “The Junction”, originally known as the Masons Arms, gaining its full drinks licence in 1917 having had it transferred from The Bulls Head in the Shambles (both owned by Truswell’s Brewery), allowing the Bulls Head to close. It had a period of closure before reopening in November 2016 as The Junction. Covered on my last blog in Chesterfield – CLICK HERE to read it.
Micropub Adventures 
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