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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Rob Hunter
Submitted on Thursday, 23rd September 2021
With picture contributions to 358 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (4 more images)
Detail Pages
The Blind Bull, Buxton
Little Hucklow
Postal town: Buxton
SK17 8RT
Served areas
Reviews of The Blind Bull (Average Rating: 6 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Blind Bull
I was last here in 2012 when the pub was semi-derelict, or perhaps a bit more than semi (see my quote from local Camra magazine below). It's been beautifully restored, with a new name and a claim to 12th century origins. There's a list of previous licensees above the fireplace, which goes back to 1697, so we only have to apply our imagination to a period of 500 years. There's quite a pleasant mix of old and new, or perhaps more accurately, new stuff in old surroundings. There were two cask beers on the bar, both from local Eyam Brewery (which is not actually in Eyam but in this pub's sister village of Great Hucklow, so even more local). My pint of their Best Bitter was pretty good (£4.90) and my daughter, who was driving, had a 330ml bottle of a zero alcohol beer for just 10p less. We were asked if we wanted to eat, as the kitchen was about to close (it was 2pm midweek), but we had just come from the Ashford Arms, so declined. We had a table by the solid fuel stove, which was not too hot, and I bagged the settle while my daughter enjoyed the low sofa opposite. She and her partner moved to Litton in 2021, not long after this pub reopened, but this was my first visit to the pub. I reckon it would be a good walk in appropriate weather, but the Red Lion, the Anglers Rest and the Three Stags' Heads are all nearer to their place, so it would take a bit of planning and determination.
On 29th March 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Rob Hunter left this review about The Blind Bull
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.
On 24th September 2021
- rating: 6
[User has posted 750 recommendations about 598 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Old Bulls Head
Closed in 2005. According to Sheffield Camra's magazine (February 2012), "was
closed and abandoned by its owner quite a few years ago now following a dispute with the planning authorities about how it was to be converted to residential use, has been served a notice by the Peak Park authority demanding the pub be restored from its current derelict condition."
On 15th November 2012
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
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- Official site of the Blind Bull - theblindbull.co.uk
- Facebook page of The Blind Bull - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Blind Bull - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : Yes last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : No last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- Micropub : No last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : No last updated 13 March 2021 by ROB Camra
