Three Valleys Festival Preview
The Three Valleys Festival takes place across the Dronfield area on Saturday 4th June featuring 15 pubs and a club all with real ale. Many of the venues will also feature food and music. Entry to all the venues is free of charge.
We are running a Sheffield CAMRA branch social to this event, catching the 12:05 train from Sheffield station to Dronfield. A return ticket costs £4.60 (remember to buy your ticket at the station before boarding, it may cost more on train).
As it is getting quite close now, here is the Beer Matters guide to the festival.
Getting there:
There are a number of local bus services in Dronfield that pass participating venues, including Stagecoach 43/44 and TM Travel 14/16. There are also some free feeder buses operated by Linburg running to the festival from Totley (11:56 from Cross Scythes or 12:00 at Shepley Spitfire), Bradway (12:03 from bus terminus), Dore & Totley rail station (11:40), Mosborough (11:43 from British Oak), Eckington (11:53 from bus station), Ridgeway (11:55 from opp church) and Marsh Lane (12:00 from opp Butchers Arms).
The most popular way of reaching Three Valleys Land however is by train, Dronfield Station will be at the heart of the festival. Trains on the Leeds-Sheffield-Nottingham route call at Dronfield every hour.
Getting around:
A free festival bus service will operate from midday until 9pm linking all the venues at regular intervals (every 15-30 minutes). The buses run on two routes, both serving Dronfield Station. The station will see 8 departures per hour. route A goes to Dronfield town centre, Dronfield Woodhouse, Hill Top, Hallowes, Unstone and Whittingon Moor. (Note there will be some extra buses on part of this route badged as route C). Route B goes to Coal Aston, Hundall and Unstone.
Note that the free bus service can be very popular, some people choose to get a taxi rather than wait for the next bus. New this year is the arrival of Uber at the festival who will have a number of cars around Three Valleys Land that can be ordered on their phone app. If you are new to Uber look out for the 3 Valleys promotional code which will get you your first ride free (up to the value of £15). Other taxi operators in the area include City Taxis and Network Taxis.
Some of the venues are of course walkable. From the station it is a reasonable stroll to the Dronfield Arms, White Swan, Three Tuns, Pioneer Club, Green Dragon and Manor House Hotel.
What’s on?
Coach & Horses, Dronfield: Honey Bee Blues Club is hosting live music from 4pm featuring Alex Haynes, Ash Gray & the Burners and Black Thunder Revue. Beer from Thornbridge plus guests. Food from Chariot’s Kitchen. (Festival bus A, local bus 43).
Derby Tup, Whittingon Moor: An extended beer range will be offered featuring Pigeon Fishers, Castle Rock and others. (Festival bus A, local buses 43,44,50,50a,X17).
Dronfield Arms, Dronfield Bottom: An extended beer range will be accommodated across 3 outside bars as well as the pub bar, live music throughout the afternoon starting from 12:30 and a disco in the evening from 7pm. There will also be a pizza stall and an auction to raise funds for Coal Aston Cricket Club. (Festival bus A and C, local bus 44).
Green Dragon, Dronfield Church Street: A party in the car park with beer, cider, food and music!
Horse & Jockey, Unstone: Live music with the Watchsnatchers in the afternoon and Rachel Louise in the evening. Beer and food also feature. (Festival bus A and B, local bus 43/44).
Hyde Park Inn, Hill Top: Beer, food, music and a great beer garden. (Festival bus A and C)
Jolly Farmer, Dronfield Woodhouse: Extended Real Ale selection from the glass fronted cellar, meet the brewer, normal pub dining available plus festival food. (Festival bus A and C. Local buses 43 and 16a).
Manor House Hotel, Dronfield High Street: Abbeydale beer tent, live music from Sam Wain and food from I Love Ostrich, all outside. Normal food and drink service at the hotel bar inside. (Festival bus A and C).
Miners Arms, Dronfield Woodhouse: Beer and food, enjoy inside the pub or in the garden. (Festival bus A and C, local bus 16/16a).
Miners Arms, Hundall: A rural, scenic hillside location, tap takeover by Pictish Brewery in the pub and a great range of guest beers and ciders outside plus food by Deli-Licious and entertainment. (Festival bus B, local bus 14).
Pioneer Club, Dronfield: A family atmosphere here with a bouncy castle for the kids, ice creams, hog roast and other hot foods, music and an outside bar showcasing the new Drone Valley Community Brewery. (Festival bus B, local buses 14,15,44).
Royal Oak, Coal Aston: An opportunity to relax in a genuine, traditional village pub with a selection of classic ales. (Festival bus B, local bus 44).
Talbot, Dronfield Woodhouse: Outside bar showcasing beers from Peak Ales, Fish & Chips and live music – Rattled in the afternoon, G Men in the evening. (Festival bus A and B, local bus 16,43).
Three Tuns, Hallowes: Brewery bars outside in a marquee showcasing Barlow Brewery and Drone Valley Community Brewery, guest beers on the pub bar. Range of cider and perry available on all bars. Various food stalls serving Pizzas, lamb pittas and hog roast. Live music throughout the afternoon and evening commences 2pm. (Festival bus A and C, local buses 43/44).
White Swan, Dronfield Bottom: Beer, Cider, BBQ and entertainment. (Festival bus A and C, local bus 44).
Yew Tree, Coal Aston: Outside real ale bar, burger van, live music throughout the afternoon from 2pm to 7pm. (Festival bus B).