The Wheatsheaf, Matlock

This stone-built pub looks good from the road, but the interior of the bar and main seating area has been subject to an unsympathetic refurbishment at some stage and the side conservatory also looks rather unappealing. Although the town was heaving during the Wirksworth Festival weekend, the place was empty so I didn't risk either the Pedigree or Bombardier which were available on handpump but made do with a quick keg M&B Mild (£1.20, half) before moving swiftly on.

A tall stone building set back slightly from the main road through the town, with a one-storey extension to one side. The main room has bare boards and a bar made of brick. The extension houses a pool table and there's a large TV near the bar which, at the time of my visit, was tuned to a pop music radio station and blaring out quite loudly. On the bar were four hand pumps, with just two beers available when I was here midweek: Marstons Pedigree and Cumberland Corby Blonde. I went for the latter, which was in good condition. There was some lively banter with the landlord and a couple of regulars, but this is not a pub I would want to spend a lot of time in due to the noisy music.

The Wheatsheaf is a stone built pub that is set above the road. Once inside this was more of a locals pub,i had a drink in the bar which was fairly basic and very busy on my Saturday afternoon visit. I was surprised to see two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Hartington IPA which was a very nice well kept drink,the other beer was Pedigree. I ended up enjoying my short stay in this pub. Pub visited 22/4/2006