Into The Valley of Beer is a phrase I am unashamedly plagiarising from Martin after his recent comment when referring to Belper.
He’s a generous soul and it’s almost Christmas so he won’t mind me shoehorning a seventies punk song reference in by The Skids into my title as I bid to take the lead in the lame musical song in the titles by pub bloggers prestigious league table.
Although strictly speaking the 322 – Holly Bush Inn DE56 0RX isn’t actually in Belper (it’s in the village of Makeney) it has a Belper postcode and is one of the must visit pubs in Derbyshire.
The fact it’s just around the corner from the King William in Milford means it is well worth a visit at any time of year.
My two drinking buddies and I found the King Billy choc a bloc again on a Wednesday thus retaining its title of ‘the busiest pub in Derbyshire on a Wednesday award’ alongside so we thought it wouldn’t be the same in the Holly Bush as both hamlets are what you might describe as bijoux.
However, it was also packed and I reckon the Christmas Carols by Candlelight might have had something to do with it.
We were in the aftermath of this and this is a boozer that just exudes history and character as it is a late 17th-century Grade II-listed pub
Legend has it that Dick Turpin once drank here although it must have been in the GBG at some stage and I reckon fellow bandits Thurman, Mackay, Everitt and Taylor have also been spotted supping a pint in this place.
It has an absolutely jumping atmosphere and is a sprawl of various rooms and clutter in classic pub style where everything seems to have a place.
(strange sightings in the gents!)
It had a real buzz and I like this part of Derbyshire as it often feels like a throwback because pubs are generally full and there is a crackle in the air.
I had a terrific pint of Big Job (St Austell) and just enjoyed the atmosphere of the place with a couple of pals chewing the fat about nothing in general.
I can’t begin to describe quite how good this place is and well worth tying in with the King William for a trip to The Valley of Beer.
Life After Football 
Yes, launched a raid there and Milford. So many great pubs to choose from in that area – much prefer these to the myriad of chain pubs. Are you collecting these posts in an anthology we can buy for Christmas? Suggest gold leaf bound and priced at no less than £39.99.
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Some outstanding boozers that appear to be immune to any changes 👍 yes it’s part of the now that’s what I call music blog titles 1… A catchy title I feel 😀
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It’s a winner!
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I’m looking for a promotional team willing to your pubs of Britain to flog it…
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Have already forwarded my application form so you can give me the necessary security clearance.
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Excellent 👍 I believe the competition will be fierce for this coveted role but a man of your experience will be arguably a shoe in 👍🍻
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Great post. Definitely comes under Greater Belper. It is fascinating how many pubs either side of Derby seem immune to change, even as Landlords change.
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I agree 👍 long may it continue….
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Was there two days later, hoping for Owd Rodger, which I curiously found the next day in Fleetwood, where I got soaked watching the Brewers lose.
Never mind there and the King Billy, there’s a superb pub crawl to be had (in daylight) across the fields to Holbrook (just about a mile to the Spotted Cow) and down to Bargate for the White Hart.
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Sounds perfect and I’ve not been to the white Hart 🍻 I saw Burton ‘highlights’ and it looked slightly damp!!
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I’m assuming that’s the Burton upon Trent Brewers and not the Tadcaster or Alton Brewers. 🙂
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That’s the one 👍
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If it’s an all round full of character, unspoit by progress pub you’re after then the Barley Mow in Kirk Ireton, Derbyshire should fit the bill.
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Good shout Pete….I’ll check that one out…open in the day?
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From WhatPub –
Opening Times : 12-2, 7-11 Mon-Sat; 12-2, 7-10.30 Sun
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Cheers Pete 👍
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Looks like a quality pub, just shows what hard working people can achieve – love the traditional carols and it doesn’t get better than a Thornbridge tap takeover; surely the pinnacle of Derbyshire brewing.
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Thornbridge are terrific and very innovative. Definitely one of, if not the, best in Derbyshire
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“Into The Valley of Beer is a phrase I am unashamedly plagiarising from Martin after his recent comment when referring to Belper.”
He was using that phrase way back in October. 🙂
“as I bid to take the lead in the lame musical song in the titles by pub bloggers prestigious league table.”
To be honest I don’t think anyone can catch you. You could say that in an ironic way they’ve all come up ‘lame’ in this race. (LOL)
“and is one of the must visit pubs in Derbyshire.”
That’s true of most pubs in this particular shire innit? 🙂
“and I reckon fellow bandits Thurman, Mackay, Everitt and Taylor have also been spotted supping a pint in this place.”
That would explain why they’ve had to put warnings on the door to the cellar. 😉
“(strange sightings in the gents!)”
Hmmm. I am still shopping for the missis. 🙂
“It had a real buzz”
Great line to use right after the vibrator photo. 🙂
“I had a terrific pint of Big Job ”
Still on the vibrator theme I see.
“with a couple of pals chewing the fat”
Still on the vib… naw, forget it. 🙂
“for a trip to The Valley of Beer”
I have to admit, that’s a great phrase.
Cheers!
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Enoying your take on the vibrator situation Russ 😉big job had escsesc me as a possible but glaringly obvious double entendre 😉 not every boozer in Derbyshire is a winner but I can’t imagine there’s a better county to drink in 👊
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