Our ‘Outer Limits’ feature returns to InnSpire with a trip to ASHOVER and our ongoing quest to highlight the many wonderful pubs on the edges of the Chesterfield CAMRA district. The village of Ashover sits within a triangular area of Chesterfield, Matlock and Clay Cross and is known for the beautiful countryside that surrounds it. Of course, we’re not just visiting for the views, no the village’s public houses are the main focus of our expedition. This is a magazine about beer, all said and done. The good news: it has three wonderful pubs, all worth making the short journey for (Ashover is easily accessible from Chesterfield on the X17 Gold bus from the Coach Station).
Ashover was known in Saxon times as Essovre and he first written reference to the village occurs in the Domesday Book of 1086. It’s a place that is steeped in history and legend.
A local landmark is the Fabrick or ‘Ashover Rock’ where Morris Dancers are known to gather on certain days of the pagan calendar. After a near miss with sword dancers in a Chesterfield pub a few years ago, we decided to stick to the village itself. Even more famously, Ashover was the scene of a confrontation between the Royalists and the Roundheads during the English Civil War in the 17th century. Royalists killed
livestock and drank all the wine and ale in the cellars of Eddlestow Hall while the owner Sir John Pershall was away. Job Wall, the landlord of the Crispin Inn public house, refused entry to the army. But they threw him out and drank the ale, pouring what was left down the street. Obviously, we intended to be better behaved, drink sensibly and not kill any chickens today.
Our first port of call was the BLACK SWAN, a delightful character property, popular with both locals and tourists (And, interlopers like us). The cosy lounge area has a real open fire and the central bar had a great selection of ales. The unique and enchanting decor added to the experience and ambience. Part of the Stonegate Group portfolio, which is now the largest pub company in the UK. Three cask beers to choose from: Theakston Old Peculier, Timothy Taylor’s Landlord and Ossett Brewery’s Yorkshire Blonde, making up a very tasty trio. We started on the very sessionable Yorkshire Blonde (Blonde Ale, 3.9% ABV), a tipple that never disappoints.
A short walk took us to the CRISPIN INN, a Marstons operator-led pub. One of Derbyshire’s oldest hostelries, it preserves much of its old-world quality. It’s a quintessential countryside pub, that just encourages you to step inside. Internally the decor lives up to the exterior with low, black-beamed ceilings, small windows a stone floor hollowed out by centuries of use. The pub has three consistent cask beers. A pint of the old classic, Marston’s Pedigree (Amber Ale, 4.5% ABV) went down very well indeed.
Finally, but by no means least was THE OLD POETS’ CORNER, a pub I’ve wanted to visit for years and the original inspiration behind this trip. The good news is it not only lived up to the hype, it actually surpassed it. The pub has a distinctive mock-Tudor appearance and is picture postcard beautiful. The views around the pub are truly breathtaking with rolling hills stretching out into the distance. It was taken over by Titanic Brewery in 2019 and with a range of 10 draught beers available you’re spoiled for choice. You could spend all day, evening and even the night here, as they have rooms to rent too.
This award winning pub has won the ChesterfieldCAMRA Pub of the Year, four times in the past. And, it’s easy to see why. They host regular beer festivals and have live entertainment. A wide range of rotating cask beers from Titanic Brewery are available, along with guest kegs beers. A pint of Steerage (Pale Ale, 3.8% ABV) was just superb. Originally called Best Bitter, Steerage was the second ever beer Titanic brewed and has always been a firm favourite in the Titanic Fleet.
Ashover is quite simply a joy and we’re so lucky to have such charming and enchanting villages in Chesterfield. The pubs are rather special too. A fine selection of ales were sampled and best of all no livestock were harmed (Apart from a bag of pork scratchings).
