The Dead Poet’s Inn, Holbrook

We’re huge fans of ‘real’, traditional, classic pubs and The Dead Poets Inn, Holbrook near Belper in Derbyshire is a belter. Picture flagstone floors, ancient stone walls, simple furniture, equally simple food, excellent local beer and an unfussy environment unaffected by modern fads.

It was formerly known as Cross Keys but was renamed in 2007 and then taken over by Everards in 2004 and is managed by Brunswick Brewery Co whose ales include White Feather (a pale session beer), Railway Porter (an English black porter), Ubiquitous (a single hop pale ale) and Black Sabbath (a dark ale with hints of liquorice).

Light bites are served at lunch and there’s always lots going on from quizzes to beer festivals – even poetry nights.

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