Toad, Matlock

Walking through Matlock Bath yesterday we were pretty fed up to find that Toad is now closed. It looks like it's been closed for some time as the windows are filthy and there's loads of junk inside. What a shame as we were looking forward to this one.

This pub has now reverted to Bateman's, whatever arrangement they had with the Ashover brewery having ended. There are five hand pumps on the small bar in what to me was a surprisingly small room - the grand-looking façade seems to promise something much larger. There were only two beers on at the time of my visit, on a wet January weekday afternoon, Bateman's Yella Belly and Okells Jiarg (pronounced yarg - the Manx word for red, apparently). I had an interesting half hour here, chatting with the friendly landlady and a few locals - I even found myself dispensing advice about not trying to keep up with people who are drinking in rounds, to a young man who was nursing a hangover! The real pub atmosphere just tips the scales for me in deciding between this and the Fishpond, despite the comparatively restricted beer choice. (I'm sure there are more beers on when the level of trade justifies it.)