Holly Bush Lane
Makeney
Derbyshire
DE56 0RX
01332 841729
landlord@hollybushinnmakeney.co.uk
Traditional Village Pub, 3* Heritage Pub
This is one of those rare pubs that are hard to fault, with everything just as it should be. It’s an attractive golden stone pub dating from the 17th century on its own quiet lane off the almost as quiet main road (photo 1).
In the original centre of the pub is a wonderful small snug created by two high backed curved wooden settles that form a semi circle around an iron range (photos 2 & 3). The entrance in the middle has a closing door and you can imagine a bucolic image of farm workers sitting in front of the fire chewing the fat on a winters evening. Nostalgic fantasy I know, but if you do manage to get a seat in there you’ll probably find yourself joining the conversation.
There’s a great beer selection and the regular cask beers currently are Taylor’s Landlord, Thornbridge Jaipur, and Whim Hartington IPA on handpump and Marston’s Pedigree which is brought from the cellar in a jug. There are three guest cask beers and 9 well chosen craft beers. Even the lagers include Thornbridge’s classy Lukas. For an even bigger choice, the pub has a beer festivals in March and October. And of course for cider and perry drinkers there’s a range that includes the classic Old Rosie from Westons and Whisky Cask from Thistly Cross. The pub is on the Real Ale Finder app if you need an update before you visit.
There’s a good value food menu with a nice choice of small dishes (like the excellent hot cobs) which is only available at lunchtimes, but pork pies and filled rolls are available all day. Traditional roast dinners are available on Sundays.
If you don’t manage to get in the snug the main bar to the left of the pub has beams, traditional bench seating, part wood panelled walls and a red quarry tiled floor (photo 4). On the right is another room, also with low beams, which leads to a conservatory and garden.
The Holly Bush is one of a large number of pubs to claim that thirsty highwayman Dick Turpin was a regular visitor, but they plug this anecdote more than most. Makeney Morris, a side based at the pub, even claim that he was a keen Morris dancer and have based their outfit on his favoured costume of “black with orange and white accents”.
Among the top 10 pubs in the UK and definitely worth a visit.
Makeney is a short distance north of Derby and can be reached by train to Duffield and a short walk, or by bus (numbers 6.1 – 6.4) to Milford Bridge and then a shorter walk. The small pub car park will probably be full and it may be best to park on the main road through the village.
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