April 29, 2008
A sympathetically restored pub with a great interior, good service, and a reasonable range of ales. This is the sort of place I could happily make my local.

August 26, 2007
An absolutely authentic pub in an old building, just by the River and basically within the road from one pub to another in a Derby crawl. Solid Marstons’ selection, in good condition as well. You would not mind staying there a couple of hours, walking on the creaking floors, if Derby did not have many other worthy stops.

July 30, 2007
Part of my guided Derby mini pub crawl, with DeepBlack. OKish pub, quiet in the early afternoon. The Titanic Captain Smith’s Ale that I had was nice enough. Did not eat.

July 29, 2007
A nice pub with lots of little rooms to explore and quite a good outside seating area which will keep smokers happy now that the ban has been introduced in enclosed areas. Lots of old decor, wooden panelling etc. The ale range is not vast but you can sometimes pick up a new guest beer and failing that the Old Empire is usually on pretty good form.

April 27, 2006
Just down the road from Exeter Bridge, this gem of a pub is a vital stop-off on a Derby crawl. It’s a quaint looking place; tiled floors, split level, some stained and etched glass, plenty of breweriania. Beer is good as well, although a little pricey for Derby.

But it’s the food that makes this the ideal refuelling stop on a crawl - HUGE brunch, freshly made sarnies and cobs, full meals for less than three pounds... pub food doesn’t get cheaper or better than here.

It’s a Marstons house so expect Peddy, Burton, a Marstons guest (Old Empire on my visit) and three guests from other breweries.