The Hope & Anchor, Matlock

The Hope & Anchor was closed and looking a bit sorry for itself when I was last in Wirksworth in September 2017, so was pleased to find it has now re-opened. As you enter from the street the main bar is to the left with a snug to the right and what looks like a dining area to the rear of this rather large building. There is also a beer garden to the rear. The pub is modern and welcoming while retaining a traditional feel. In the main bar were five hand pulls offering Thornbridge Jaipur, Thornbridge Strawberry Lucaria, Doom Bar, Rosie's Pig Rusted Wheel (cider) and another ale that I forgot to note but looked like it may have been a local bitter or pale ale. I had a half of the Strawberry Lucaria at £1.90. Food is served and there were chalk boards adverting Sunday carvery, Friday curry night and Wednesday steak night. They seem to be pushing a good gin selection too. The main bar consists of a mix of bench seating and tables and unmatched chairs. It was quiet at the time of my visit, with only one other table occupied at lunch time, though another couple of customers came in a little after me. Quiet music was playing and there was a pleasant relaxed ambience. The table near me were dining and their fish and chips looked to be good healthy portions. Not the cheapest for real ale in the area but overall a pretty decent pub with enough of a selection to be interesting, so well worth a visit in my book.

Imposing building on the corner of the Market Square, with the present-day pub seeming to occupy quite a small proportion of it. Retains a two-bar interior, with some features of historic interest (especially the grand fireplace in the lounge). Four handpumps in total, offering a rotating selection - including Lymestone Stone Faced (£1.40, half) - during the busy Wirksworth Festival weekend.

A large stone building on the market place, this looks more like a hotel than a pub from the outside, but once inside it's just a typical market place boozer, with a small lounge to the right and a larger public bar to the left on entering. There was a solitary hand pump in the deserted lounge, so I went into the public bar where there were three hand pumps: St Austell Tribute, Salopian Hop Twister and Wirksworth Anchor were the beers on offer here. The Anchor is brewed locally but is nothing special, being one of those modern beers with too many hops, but with a sweetish taste of tropical fruit and almost no bitterness. Maybe my taste buds were deceived by the strong smell of fried food. Other distractions to the senses included the noises emanating from various gaming machines and some banter between the barman and one of the regulars. The latter arrived in the gents toilet at the same time as me, carrying his pint. When questioned he said that it had become a habit because you never knew what someone might slip into your beer if you left it unattended. You have been warned! Décor is fairly minimal, with just a few pictures of old sporting heroes on the plain walls. The worn carpet, bum-polished stool coverings and ripped upholstery on the banquette seating told of several years of neglect. A little investment would make this a very nice pub, but as it stands it won't be on my list for a second visit to Wirksworth.