The Navigation, Nottingham

The Navigation is an L-shaped pub with a bar counter to the right and seating to the left that is faced by a stage that was hosting a live band. The fifty-something crowd were lapping up the Wednesday evening hound dog music, which was actually good fun, although it wasn’t very busy. Premium and craft keg were available from the bar and the four hand pumps were drawing TT Golden Best, Pheasantry’s BB Best Bitter, Barry Brewery’s Vale of Glamorgan and Grainstore’s Rutland Panther. The service was polite and the atmosphere good so I’d return if passing.

Situated right by Castle Lock ,there are picnic benches running along the lockside if you want a close up of boating action.The main entrance is off the main road,you enter into a largely open plan interior with the bar to the right,while further back on the left side there are french windows ,with a metal stairway leading down to the lockside.There is a music theme ,and well chosen sounds were being gently played on my lunchtime visit. It's a free house and the three handpumps will serve a rotating selection of mainly Locales,with a mix of beer styles.On my trip that meant Mr Grundy's Sniper,Chantry New York Pale and Acorn Gorlovka Imperial Stout (a very reasonable £3.90,NBSS 4). The chalk board outside mentions the beers coming soon ,many from breweries close by. There is also a partially covered rear courtyard,away from the traffic noise and with it's own music speaker.This is a dog friendly spot.A calm and friendly atmosphere from the couple who run it,well done to them for a vast improvement since the dark days of Marston's ownership.Worth including on any real ale tour of the city.

This is no longer a Marston's pub, it's been bought by Admiral. Consequently the number of handpumps is down to three and the range is very pedestrian to say the least, although both my pints were well kept. One large single room, with the left hand side obviously being the live music part. It's nicely decorated with mainly music related pictures etc along with a pool table. There's a small patio area next to the lock on the canal with a few tables. We called in on a Sunday night and had a couple of drinks before we made our way back to the hotel. I asked the landlord if they were open until 11 on the Monday, but when we turned up at 10:20 it was closed. Maybe it was something we said. It's an unremarkable pub at the moment as there's no chance of live music. I've been in a lot worse though.

A fairly down to earth pub on the canalside. Its an open plan place which seems to like its music as there's a small stage to your right on entering. You are also greeted by a shadowy looking mannequin on entering too. The bar is to your right and has 12 handpumps. A rather pedestrian selection ruins it a bit as it seems to be a Marston's house. That said it isn't too bad a place.

A canal side pub next to the main road a quick walk from the British waterways building and the close huddle of other pubs and bars. This is a Marstons tied house but is by far the best i have ever visited and they really try to make the bet of things with every possible seasonal and out of the norm Marstons and other associated brewerys beer showcased. On my visit there was a large stream of 12 hand pulls with most of them being on and aside from a few ciders I noted Wainwright, jennings Cocker hoop and Sneck Lifter, brakspear Oxford gold, banks dark mild and sunchaser, Pedigree, Hobgoblin plus a few others. No Camra discount is given but the prices are very competative with Sunbeam and pedigree both being £2.80. Beer wise both were in good nick, not amazing but I could have no complaints and there is a nice sun trap beer garden next to the canal outside as well which s lovely on a sunny day like my visit was. I would absolutely return if around this neck of the woods as it is a great beer pub, if only a few outside guests could find their way in there.