Not already a member?
Join our community and - Rate & review pubs - Upload pictures - Add events JOIN for free NOW

Chat about:
Beer of the Week (w/e 27th April 2025) with Thuck Phat on the Pub Forum

Image posted by Old Boots
Submitted on Sunday, 22^nd October 2023
With picture contributions to 3577 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (17 more images)

Only members may add pictures, click to receive free membership

Detail Pages

Pub map
Pub reviews (10)
Pub pictures (18)
Page updates

RedWillow, Buxton

Pub added by Rob Hunter

1 Cavendish Circus
Buxton
SK17 6AT

Correct details

Served areas

Buxton Town

Reviews of RedWillow (Average Rating: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Strongers . left this review about RedWillow

RedWillow is the sister pub to RedWillow Brewery’s other pub in Macclesfield, which somehow I’ve managed to bypass during my crawls around the town. This pub is a bank conversion that comes with lots of Victorian finery, including an ornate snug in the right front corner at the bottom of the serving counter that runs up the right-hand wall. The four hand pumps were all drawing RW beers and a crafty selection was available from fonts along the back bar. I went for half a Cryo Citra that was served by a very friendly barmaid who informed me of the Macclesfield connection. The seating is open plan with small high tables and green topped stools up the centre and green banquettes up the left-hand wall. At the rear is a mezzanine level with seating and bookcase patterned wallpaper. I liked it in here so would have no problem returning.

On 8^th March 2025 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5972 recommendations about 5938 pubs]

Real Ale Ray left this review about RedWillow

I've scored this pub 4 for the outstanding interior. We called in here late afternoon on a recent Friday and there wasn't a single customer in here, except a solitary barmaid. We admired the old bank manager's office as we made our way to the bar counter and got a horrendous whiff of the drains. I mentioned this to the barmaid who agreed and said they did have a drain issue. It was so bad I don't know how management would allow the place to be open, with these health issues.

On 27^th August 2024 - rating: 4
[User has posted 3646 recommendations about 3646 pubs]

Pub SignMan left this review about RedWillow

As if the two taprooms and pavillion bar from Buxton Brewery weren't enough for this small market town, another top notch brewery, Red Willow, has opened this beautiful bank conversion in the town centre. Inside, you find a smart, bare boarded room with dark wood panels, etched glass windows and the servery along the back wall. The bar has a mosaic tile counter front with a high shelved bar back dominated by a central metal keg tap dispensary. Long button backed banquettes run along the front wall with basic chairs in support, whilst high tables and stools fill a central space opposite the bar. A drinking ledge to the right of the entrance has a row of bar stools and a small padded bench booth at the far end. The pub's finest feature can be found at one end of the bar, where a small side room has been converted into an amazing little snug, with curved glass frontage, a detailed decorative doorway and plenty of etched glasswork. There's room in here for a couple of tables and I can only presume it occupies the old bank manager's office. To the rear are some stairs leading up to a mezzanine area with plenty of extra seating looking down into the main bar area. Potted plants are in plentiful supply around the room and a fridge to the left of the entrance is full of tempting looking Red Willow cans. A decent indie and pop soundtrack played during my visit and there was a handful of mainly older customers in, on what was admittedly a freezing cold, snowy Winter's day.
Red Willow beers obviously dominate the handpulls, with options comprising Headless, Feckless, Wreckless and Breakfast Stout, supplimented by an extensive craft keg range including plenty more Red Willow brews. A very friendly barmaid served me a top quality pint of the Headless, which slipped down so quickly that I ended up at my next pub before it had even opened!
I really liked this conversion, which has kept a beautiful building in the public domain, and thought the beer was in great condition. However, something felt a bit lacking and didn't fully click for me - maybe it was drinking in such a grand interior with so few other customers. Still well worth a look as part of any crawl around town though.

Date of visit - 17th January 2024

On 3^rd June 2024 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3350 recommendations about 3350 pubs]

View more reviews of RedWillow (10)

External web links for RedWillow

Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.