The Barley Mow Inn, Ashbourne

Official site of The Barley Mow Inn - thebarleymowinn.co.uk

Official site of The Barley Mow Inn - thebarleymowinn.co.uk

Worth every ounce of energy expended to get me here on my bike before the 2pm afternoon close. Just one other customer, who's been coming here man and boy for more than 40 years, although he now lives a few miles away rather than in the village; he can remember the previous landlady, Lillian Ford, refusing to take decimal coinage long after it had been introduced in 1971. The present landlady, who keeps fit by popping down to the cellar to fill a jug with Whim Hartington IPA, is only the 12th licensee since 1753, according to a list on the wall. Three walkers turned up, and they also went for the IPA - despite the presence of four more beers and a cider on the stillage behind the bar. (Blue Monkey 99 Red Baboons, Storm Silk of Amnesia, Derby Business As Usual and Ashford Maple Rye.) The beer was brought up in a plastic jug and poured into glass tankards - mine was a Ravenhead exactly like one I've owned myself for 30 years or more. And the beer was in outstandingly good condition: absolute nectar. The pub has several rooms (see photos) and although the furniture is not original - that was all sold in 1976 after the death of Mrs Ford - it looks as though it could have been and after 40 years, it quite clearly belongs anyway. The building is Grade II* listed and although it hasn't made it into Camra's national inventory, it is listed as one of their regionally important historic interiors. I normally only drink a half per pub when I'm cycling, but was happy to drink a pint of excellent beer in superb surroundings and in friendly company. There's a real fire, too. I don't award many tens - this one deserves an eleven. You can bet I'll be back.