The Blind Bull, Buxton

Visited while in the area yesterday after reading the promising write-up on WhatPub regarding their house ales. At first I thought this was going to be a brewpub but having read the description again I think their house ales are not brewed on site but with local breweries (their IPA, for example, by Eyam). The entrance door is somewhat easy to miss and at first I thought it was a side or back door, until I wandered round the outside and discovered no other viable options for making an entrance. On entering you are straight into the pub with no porch or lobby area, and I was immediately greeted by a member of staff which I have to admit took me aback somewhat! I advised I just wanted a drink, I was offered one of two available sofas and it became apparent that it would be table service. I managed to crane my neck and have a gander at the hand pulls - two of the three were clipped but the beer board listed three so not entirely sure if all were available or not. I went for a Blind Bull Red Heifer - a beer that I could find no information about afterwards and even their web site has no information about their own brand cask ales. This set me back £2.50 for a half, so a little on the steep side, and it had a bit of a sherry/port taste to it, which I can only hope was intentional. It was hazy and a little on the flat side - again, whether intentional or not I have no idea. It slipped down easily enough though. It does seem to be more of a gastropub aimed at diners rather than drinkers, but there was no issue with me going in just for a drink. It was really busy, and this place is in the middle of nowhere, so I can only assume the food must be top notch for it to draw people in. The downside to table service for me is that I quite like to pay for my drink and know I am free to slip out when I am good and ready, so having to attract someone's attention in order to settle up before leaving is a bit of a pain. There is a conservatory style extension to the side, with an outdoor area beyond that I assume was not in use as the doors were not open and the tables were all stacked up. This is a smart modern place and I was surprised to find it actually dates from the 12th Century. To me it looked like a new build that had been built with traditional materials to try and fit in with the area. This now makes sense, reading Will Larter's earlier comments, if the place was previously derelict. Unfortunately this means it is somewhat lacking in original features, or even mock traditional features, on the inside, with a modern stone floor and perfectly neat plaster forming the decor, with not a wooden beam in sight! The gents are clean and had a smell of custard which was a bit odd at first, until I realised it was probably a vanilla air freshener. There was a stack of rolled up white flannels above the sink which I can only assume was for decoration. This wasn't somewhere that had me feeling relaxed and comfortable, and although I was glad to try one of the house ales I don't think it was really a £5-a-pint quality of beer. I don't regret going, but I can't see me making the effort to return.

Facebook page of The Blind Bull - www.facebook.com

Facebook page of The Blind Bull - www.facebook.com

Official site of the Blind Bull - theblindbull.co.uk

Official site of the Blind Bull - theblindbull.co.uk