The Rising Sun, Hope Valley

to be demolished to make way for a new hotel

This is a long roadside hotel, on the main road through the Hope Valley and not actually in the village of Bamford. There are three entrances: if looking for the bar, the doors labelled Function Suite and Reception are obviously wrong, which leaves the door on the left: Lounge and Dining. The presence of a small group of bench tables beside the door hints at the likely proximity of a bar. Once inside there is a lot of space, with a pleasant feeling of cool and peace after the glare of the sunshine outside. The centrally placed bar to the left is surrounded by several rooms, with most walls removed, mostly furnished with old fashioned country hotel tables and chairs. The bar has three hand pumps, with two ales available at the time of my visit: Barlow Betty's Blonde and Black Sheep Bitter. I had the former, in the interests of research, as it was a new beer to me, and this was a good thirst-quenching beer in good condition - it reminded me a little of Shipstones Bitter of many years ago with its bitter finish. I rather liked it here - it was not as formal as some country hotels can be, and the friendly atmosphere was enhanced by the total absence of any music: canned, piped or otherwise foisted upon resisting ears. This was my first visit to this pub in more than 20 years of frequent visits to the Hope Valley - I've not really been avoiding it, just that it's situated on a stretch of road that I am usually in a hurry to get past (if I haven't already gone by on the train). So I can't see myself coming back any day soon, but if someone said "how about popping into the Rising Sun for a beer" I wouldn't say no.

Official site of the Rising Sun - www.the-rising-sun.org