Our Dronfield & District sub-branch have named their award winning pubs to celebrate what is good and being done well in the pub world locally.
Most Improved Pub of the Year
The Most Improved Pub in Dronfield award has gone to the Victoria on Stubley Lane. This pub used to be part of the Punch Taverns estate but the building was sold off by Punch and thankfully, rather than being converted to housing, was bought by Chris Snell who has refurbished the pub, improved the beer range and created a great lively atmosphere. You can enjoy special offers on the beer on a Monday, free food at half time when football is on the telly and live entertainment at the weekend. Chris has been rewarded by all this effort with a pub that is much busier than before he bought it! The Vic have also put on their first beer festival, last August, as part of the Three Valleys Ridge festival.
Cider and Overall Pub of the Year
Cider Pub of the Year was awarded to the Travellers Rest at Apperknowle, which has since gone on to be voted the overall Dronfield & District Pub of the Year. The Travellers is a proper rural drinkers pub with friendly staff, cosy corners and a warm fire. A choice of up to 9 real ales are available with the guest ales generally sourced via local breweries and a blackboard shows the current range of traditional ciders, served direct from the cellar. They don’t do meals at the Travs, however if you are hungry £5 will get you a fantastic platter of quality cheeses, pork pie and pickles. Live music is hosted regularly and from time to time beer festivals are held, with the pub being one of the newer additions to the Three Valleys festival.
All are invited to attend the Pub of the Year presentation night and celebrate this award with Sarah, Lauren and the regular and not-so-regular customers on Saturday March 8th and enjoy the great range of beers and ciders along with samples of their cheese platters.
To get to the Travellers during the daytime buses 15, 16 and 16A run there from Dronfield Civic Centre and railway station, unfortunately there is no public transport to Apperknowle in the evening but taxis are available to/from the nearest bus route in Coal Aston (44) or Eckington (50).
The Travellers Rest
The Cheese & Pork Pie Platter available
The Cider PotY certificate is presented, pictured with the cider list blackboard
Winter Pub of the Season
Also in Dronfield, the sub branch have presented their Winter Pub of the Season award to the Cross Daggers in Coal Aston.
The Most Improved Pub in Dronfield award has gone to the Victoria on Stubley Lane. This pub used to be part of the Punch Taverns estate but the building was sold off by Punch and thankfully, rather than being converted to housing, was bought by Chris Snell who has refurbished the pub, improved the beer range and created a great lively atmosphere. You can enjoy special offers on the beer on a Monday, free food at half time when football is on the telly and live entertainment at the weekend. Chris has been rewarded by all this effort with a pub that is much busier than before he bought it! The Vic have also put on their first beer festival, last August, as part of the Three Valleys Ridge festival.
Also in Dronfield, the sub branch have presented their Winter Pub of the Season award to the Cross Daggers in Coal Aston.