Seven Stars, Derby

Great little traditional two-bar boozer just outside the city’s central ring road. I entered into the right-hand side of the pub, which feels like the main bar space - a carpeted room with a big fireplace to one side, banquettes and low stools skirting the perimeter and the servery along the back wall. The bar has one of those padded counter fronts and a dark wood beam bar back which matches the beams running across the ceiling and through much of the rest of the pub. Loads of black and white photos of local scenes line the walls, whilst fairy lights in the windows add to the ambiance and the slot machines are considerately positioned in conveniently sized nooks. I also noticed a juke box which seemed to be bashing out a pretty epic set of tunes that were worth dropping into the pub just to hear on their own. The left-hand room is of a similar size, perhaps a tad smaller and with fewer seating options, but still a nice room that was just as busy as the main bar. There’s access to the servery along the back wall here too, so no need to squeeze through to the other room every time you need to go to the bar. The ale range was a bit more modest than some of the other well known pubs in this part of the city, with three handpulls in action, dispensing Titanic Iceberg, Marstons Pedigree and Castle Rock Harvest Pale. The Iceberg was in good condition and the bar staff seemed like a very friendly bunch, as did a lot of the punters here, who were happy to chat to a stranger in their midst. I liked this traditional feeling pub and thought it would be a great place to stop off for a few pints, if only you could find a seat here. The limited ale range seems designed to ensure good beer quality and there was a good atmosphere from the mainly older clientele. Another essential Derby pub and one I’m very glad I included on my crawl.

Good Beer Guide-listed pub on a busy road with two main drinking rooms and a games room at the rear. It was fairly busy on our Saturday afternoon visit, but the barmaid served us fairly quickly despite being on her own. The real ale range was a little more limited than other pubs we'd been in. On offer were Marston's Pedigree, Three Brothers Northern Pale & Little Brewing Company Epiphany. As Moby Duck states, its between the Flowerpot and the Five Lamps. So, it would be rude not to stop by for a quick one (or two).

An old wooden framed pub dating from the 17th century. Cosy and compact inside with black wooden beams in much evidence. Three Beers on ,Marstons Pedigree and 61 Deep along with a guest of Stancill Stainless. Not a destination pub but being between both The Five Lamps and The Flowerpot its worth a half hour of your time.