Exeter Arms, Derby

Another fine pub - this time promoting the dancing duck brewery. Decorated to a high standard. Very quiet on a Sunday night. Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2w1lOlC

Exceptional pub that has a bit of everything, not what you expect in the setting. Small front bar, various other seating snugs and crannies, subdued lighting & candles on the tables, various curios, decorations & settles. Lovely homely feel. Good choice of exceptionally kept ales, including the Dancing Duck beers

My first visit since the Dancing Duck takeover of the lease. It’s fair to say that they’ve upped the interior a bit (burnt red shades, partitions, feminine style touches) and turned it into a fairly middle class place (the area behind the fireplace is now quite a posh foody area with candles on the tables). However the layout, cosiness and ambience remain in situ with nice décor, proper fire etc. Of special note was the Leaded and coloured Exeter Arms window, replete with a dancing duck. Also found a previously undiscovered ‘cottage’ section at the rear of the conservatory, two rustic bare brick/stone rooms. An old wind-powered organ sits in the conservatory, recently broken by an over-enthusiastic punter and sadly no plans to repair it as “it only cost £50”; let’s hope they never pick up a cheap Rembrandt from a jumble sale, eh? We visited at lunchtime and food was definitely the main seller. Place was packed and space at the was at a premium so we had to lean on the bar, however the staff were friendly and helpful. Four Dancing Duck brews on, with Marstons Pedigree and Shiny Abyss as extras. My DD Quack Addict was in impressive shape. Also noted two proper ciders. I still really like this place and would say it’s a must-do in central Derby - but timing your visit is key for maximum enjoyment. 8.5 September 2010 A wildcard on the crawl as the school-time local of our organiser. I was really impressed by this one in context of the other Derby pubs I did on the same day. It’s not exactly an ale hotbed, but nonetheless is a solid Marstons outlet, with four of their list our ales on over a myriad of pumps including the lesser-spotted 'Marstons mild' (it says here) which was in good shape. The pub is laid out over a number of well-maintained rooms and there was a really vibrant atmosphere within; I particularly enjoyed the well-appointed conservatory area. Décor is pretty traditional, with items of note being the old seaside postcards on display in the gents a collection of timepieces and some foreign bank notes pinned above the bar. I was charmed by this one and would happily return. Rated 8

The second pub for me on the PuG crawl but this was probably my pub of the day. An excellent traditional multi roomed pub with a roaring open fire in the tiled floor main bar which greets as you enter. And from here you can move out into either the Snug, the top office or The Stage with its stained glass panels. And then a visit to the toilets outback reveals the undercover patio area with its large settees, from which you can access ‘the Cottage’ a whole additional room area that can be hired for private functions. It also benefits of being one of the two pubs in Derby, along with the New Zealand Arms, owned by the Dancing Duck brewery and there was four of their beers on the seven pumps available. These were Ay Up, Quack Addict, dcuk and the excellent Dark Drake. Great pub, great beer, can’t say more than that.

Fine old corner pub with a variety of different seating areas in a number of different rooms and spaces. Traditional furniture and decor. Friendly welcome. Six real ales on handpump - with four Dancing Duck (e.g. Dark Drake, £3.30) together with Pedigree and Shiny Abyss as guests - plus a cider. Well worth the walk out from the city centre to visit.