The Red Lion, Matlock

A large and comfortable family-run pub with accommodation and its own brewery. tucked into a corner off the main road. There is one long room right across the front, with side areas off (pool one end, restaurant the other) and it is all very smartly furnished and decorated in a clean modern style. There are 3 banks of 3 handpumps serving several of their own (Moot) ales, plus a few guests including Bass; condition seemed very good. A very nice relaxing atmosphere and well worth a visit.

Official site of The Red Lion - www.theredlionmatlock.co.uk

Official site of The Red Lion - www.theredlionmatlock.co.uk

Just off the main road and easily missed if driving, the Red Lion is well worth stopping for. I was here for a football match at Matlock Town's nearby ground, and unfortunately left my visit to this pub until about 30 minutes before kick-off, so my impression of the place was taken between sips of beer and conversation with one of my Luton Town mates and a couple of locals at the bar. The pub looks very pleasant, a house built in local stone that has had all the internal walls removed and a bar installed centrally. I got the impression there had been a recent refurbishment, which has been tastefully done. There are darts, pool and TV in the area to the right of the bar on entering, and a coal fire towards the left. There were hand pumps - possibly five - on various parts of the bar, and I identified Morland Old Speckled Hen, Wychwood Bah Humbug (a spiced seasonal ale) and Batemans XXXB, an old favourite of mine. I enjoyed my swift half of Batemans, which was in very good condition, and my friend, who usually drinks Guinness, was so impressed with Bah Humbug that he had another. There was a good atmosphere about this place, a real village local on the edge of town. I would certainly include this again in any future visit to Matlock.