Cross Keys, Belper

Probably the worst of 13 pubs we visited on a daytrip to Belper and surrounding villages. One of my pet hates is pubs that fail to adhere to advertised opening times. Their own website states they open at midday, their Facebook page also states midday. Google says they open at midday and so does Whatpub. As you can guess, we arrived some time after 2pm and the pub was still closed. We returned again shortly after 4pm and it was still closed. Various people we spoke to in local pubs confirmed that the opening times are very erratic and they often don't open at all. As we left the Black Swan just opposite shortly before 5pm, some lights had been switched on which suggested it might open soon. We eventually arrived again at around 6:45 and finally found it open the third time of asking. Unlike other pubs in Belper, it was very quiet. With a reputation for unreliability locally, this was hardly surprising. The interior has two rooms, with a pool table in one. We stood at the bar alone in the second room. Being a Bateman's pub, the beer choice was also uninspiring - Gold, XB & XXXB are the regular beers. Rosey Nosey was a seasonal addition. They no longer serve real cider. Disappointing.

Two-roomed Bateman's pub with a central bar. TV was on in one room but the other was much quieter. The sheer number of handpull badges stuck to the ceiling of this pub gives an indication of the ever changing nature of the real ales on offer. It was an easy 5 minute walk from the main part of Belper but it was fairly quiet, even for late on a Saturday afternoon. On handpull there was Bateman's XB and XXXB, Bass and Brewster's Daffy's Elexir. I had the Bass and it was good. Worth a visit.