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Beer of the Week (w/e 2nd November 2025) with Wittenden
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Old Silk Mill, Derby
Derby
DE1 3AF
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7½ of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about Old Silk Mill
Think this one has had a tarting-up since my previous visit 15 years back. Bit upmarket these days but nicely done – ‘modern boutique’ below is a nice pithy summation. A plethora of ales, I was here for the Bass which delivered the best drop of the day (NBSS 4).
September 2010
An attractive building (with a massive mural on one of the side walls) that gives way to a newly-decorated interior. This is a fairly basic, knocked-through affair that is in good decorative order, with a nice dark wooden bar. A wide variety of ale was available from some excellent smaller breweries (from the likes of Blue Monkey, Purity, York, Oakham and, er, Sharps Doom Bar plus Bass from a jug) and two ciders (Westons and the not-so-real Addlestones) though choices were swiftly whittled down to five after three went off during the first round. All those I tried were in excellent shape, best-kept of the day for my money. I did note there were some barrels racked up elsewhere though these were not drawing. Staff were very friendly and knew their stuff. Food was not available though apparently you are welcome to bring in your own and they’ll provide crockery and cutlery. Unusually for this sort of pub, reggae was the background music of choice. Perhaps lacking a bit of character but it’s a good bet if you’re an ale fan. Rated 8
On 17th September 2025
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5754 recommendations about 5735 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Strongers . left this review about The Old Silk Mill
The Old Silk Mill is L-shaped with a central L-shaped bar counter that supports six hand pumps that were drawing Bass, Blue Monkey Brewery’s Infinity IPA, Dancing Duck Brewery’s Ay Up and Dark Drake Oatmeal Stout, Oakham’s Citra and Lilley’s Mango. I went for the Dark Drake which I enjoyed in the seating area to the right of the entrance. The main body of seating in the rear is more of a dining area, pub grub mains are available and the burgers are priced at £14. I thought it was OK in here, so being centrally located I would include on a crawl.
On 31st July 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 6277 recommendations about 6240 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Graham Coombs left this review about Silk Mill
An old pub, apparently prone to being refurbished at frequent intervals in some strange quest to 'stay fresh'. Now in a sort of modern boutique style, with a mish-mash of red, green and yellow paintwork and furnishings with various arty lighting. A plain brick wall features a slightly random stone fireplace strewn with assorted junk. At the back is a plain dark-painted dining area and there is an outdoor terrace to the side. Alewise, it offered Bass, Jaipur, Oakham Citra, and Dancing Duck Ay Up and Dark Drake. Pleasant enough in its modern sort of way, although a bit pricier than others nearby.
On 11th February 2023
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3817 recommendations about 3750 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about Silk Mill
Large dining area to one side and a very smart lounge where people also eat. Not all food based, good selection of ales on too.
Bass Premium selected - in good nick.
Spoiled for choice in Derby.
Visit blogged at http://bit.ly/2w1lOlC
On 20th August 2018
- rating: 8
[User has posted 1695 recommendations about 1669 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Danny O'Revey left this review about Silk Mill Ale & Cider House
Enter into the bar area with tables to the walls & bar in front, there is a small bar area to the right and a more formal dining area to the left. A little pretentious trendy, it still has a nice feel.
One real fire.
Fish wallpaper and stuffed animals are a bit of a distraction. Good choice of real ales.
On 2nd December 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 1585 recommendations about 1562 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Silk Mill Ale & Cider House
Modernised and partly opened-out pub left with a 'L'-shaped interior, with the Offilers Lounge to the right of the main doors and more of a dining area to the rear. Fine selection from the 11 handpumps on the bar counter, eight of which are real ales (e.g. Dancing Duck, £1.70, half), and the remainder ciders. Won't appeal to everybody, but I thought it pretty good from what I saw on my first brief visit.
On 21st November 2015
- rating: 8
[User has posted 8928 recommendations about 8928 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Al Bundy left this review about Silk Mill Ale & Cider House
Refurbished or not I think this is a really good pub. I thought the candles were a good touch and I think they could be enhanced by being lit, unlike today. If 7 cask ales and 4 ciders isn't good enough for you then the definition of picky should be accompanied with your picture.
On 7th August 2015
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Aqualung . left this review about Silk Mill Ale & Cider House
I don't know what this was like before the refurbishment, but it all seems a bit trendy now. Why it is necessary to have lit candles in a pub on a rainy Saturday afternoon is beyond me. The beer range was OK though, 6 beers and Bass from cask plus four ciders. I'm not sure about the Bass, 35 years ago it may have been an attraction but not really today.
The other six beers available were Welbeck Abbey Portland Black, Leeds Midnight Bell, Dancing Duck 22, Purity UBU, Burton Bridge Stairway to Heaven and a Black Hole Super Nova that had just gone. I went for the Leeds Midnight Bell (£3.30) which was in great condition. I'm not sure if I would come back here as there are so many decent pubs in Derby. It's definitely worth a look if you haven't already been here, but I do have an issue with the candles.
On 21st July 2014
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
ROB Camra left this review about The Old Silk Mill
Has just reopened after a short period of closure as Silk Mill Ale & Cider House. Now has 5 real ales and 4 real ciders.
On 18th December 2013
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3317 recommendations about 3227 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Mark Davey left this review about The Old Silk Mill
Not my favourite pub in Derby, but a good one all the same. Great selection of beers on the bar, but the place always seems a bit sterile at lunch times. I know it gets rammed at night and probably has more atmosphere so in my opinion, it is struggling to find a balance. Good pub to stick on a crawl, a traditional favourite with Derby drinkers.
On 19th April 2013
- rating: 7
[User has posted 292 recommendations about 276 pubs]