Miners Standard, Matlock

This must have been a good place to change horses, being at the top of two long steep rises from valley level, the river Lathkill to the north, and the less steep but longer route via Cromford to the Derwent valley and Derby to the southeast. I could certainly have done with a change of legs, after having to walk my bike up through Winster, one of the steepest villages I can recall. The pub that would have kept horses now has a car park and the paddock where they recovered is now a camp site. A posse of motorcyclists was just leaving, and the pub has a cafe where they no doubt refreshed themselves with bacon sandwiches and coffee. My half of locally brewed Aldwark Baabarian Gold, despite its name, was well made and just as refreshing (NBSS 3.5, £4.75/pint). Service was friendly and chatty, and I was now well prepared for my descent with all its pot holes and other interesting road hazards.

Official site of the Miners Standard, contains menu and beer details - www.theminersstandard.com

Official site of the Miners Standard, contains menu and beer details - www.theminersstandard.com