The Fishpond, Matlock

We utilised the Fishpond a couple of times last week for a beer during our stay in Matlock Bath ( or should I say Southend not on Sea) , firstly when we arrived on the Wednesday evening when it was fairly quiet but still the busiest of the pubs in town (the Rose Cottage was completely dead and the Midland wasn’t even open ), and then again on Saturday evening when , like the rest of Matlock Bath, it was completely mental until the day tripping tourist families and bikers headed home leaving it to the hardcore locals and us tourists staying in town. Nice two room pub with a long main bar with high tables in the middle and more conventional table seating at both ends, then an additional snug room to the side ( didn’t venture up to the music room) but when the sun is out the best spot is the outside terrace to the front from where you can watch all the action. Six handpumps with three ales and three ciders for my visits and the ales were Abbeydale Splendour, Whim Ales Hartington Bitter and Shiny Brewery MIA hazy pale ale. Tried the first two and they were both well kept.

A bit of a higgeldy piggely sort of pub that looks like it's been broken through and extended several times. At the top left hand end of the pub there's a full scale ballroom up a flight of steps. Friemdly staff served me a decent pint and Ms CAMRA a half of Shropshire Gold. We had a look at the menu and decided to eat here as we both fancied the nachos to share. We thought they were a bit expensive, but when they arrived they were huge and good quality. This pub wouldn't be anything special in most places, but in a pub wilderness like Matlock Bath it was excellent.

Official site of The Fishpond - www.thefishpondmatlockbath.co.uk

Official site of The Fishpond - www.thefishpondmatlockbath.co.uk