Derby has many interesting drinking establishments and I hope to capture some of their history, style and quirkiness on this page. The pubs are listed in no particular order but I think they are all worthy of a visit.

The Greyhound dates back to at least 1734 although the building itself may be substantially older and is one of the few pubs in the city that has succeeded in retaining its original nameOriginally two separate cottages, it was the left hand side of the building that first became a pub, the other side joining it only many years later, in fact the front door can still be seen despite being boarded up. During the Second World War the pub only had two main rooms, the smoke room and the tap room and the owners would live at the back of the pub.The location of the pub has placed it at the very heart of much of the town’s history. For many years the town cattle market was held on the street outside – this being the reason for the widening of Friargate at this point. It was also situated near to the Gaol and as such is thought to have been the place where criminals who had been condemned to death were taken for their final drink. In recent years it has formed a central point on the famous Derby Mile pub crawl.In 2006, however, the pub, which had become tired and dated, closed due to lack of trade. It remained so until it was given a massive make over in 2010 by the Derby Brewing Company and is now thriving once againIn recent months the pub was sold by the Derby Brewing Company. Its new owners have given a much needed facelift and it now looks stunning 

The Dolphin is reputed to be the oldest public house in Derby with a license being first recorded in 1530. Originally one of the towns coaching inns it would have been used as a stopping off point for the many coaches which ran between Manchester and London. The building itself dates from the late 16th century although it has obviously been restored many times over the years. However in the upstairs restaurant visitors can still see the original 16th century beams. Interestingly the corridor that today forms the entrance to the pub was once a public thoroughfare.The left hand side, fronting onto Full Street is a later addition of the 18th century and was originally the home of a doctor. In the 18th century doctors would sometimes have the bodies of executed felons delivered to their homes for dissection and it is thought that the cellar of this part of the building was used for just this purpose.Its great antiquity means that the Dolphin has witnessed much fascinating history including the English civil war and the arrival of the troops of Bonnie Prince Charlie who most likely took refreshment here on their arrival in 1745 on their ill-fated invasion of England. It is also said to have been used by highwaymen including the notorious Dick Turpin who is reputed to have visited in 1738.Needless to say a large number of ghosts are reported to have been seen in various parts of the building including a blue lady, who is said to walk through the walls. Also a poltergeist is thought to inhabit the cellar where the bodies were delivered in days gone by. Staff have reported the taps to the barrels being mysteriously turned off.

Ye Olde Spa Inn

In 1733 a gentleman called William Chauncey opened a mineral spa to rival the one in Buxton. He built a cold bath, changing rooms, a rest room and pleasure walks however this closed when he died 3 years later. It was then converted into a private house, remaining as this for the next 100 years. In 1832 the government passed the Beer Houses Act which permitted any premises to be licensed on payment of £2 per year, but only for the sale of beer. It was in that year that Spa became an Inn. There have been numerous alterations over the succeeding years and the building is now listed as Grade II