There are plenty of good real ale pubs in the Dronfield area – both in the town itself and the surrounding villages. There are two core north-south buses, the
43 and
44 operated by Stagecoach, which run from Sheffield to Chesterfield via Dronfield (with the
43 running via Dronfield Woodhouse and the
44 via Coal Aston) complimented during the daytime by TM Travel (
14,
15,
16,
16A) operating East-West across Dronfield linking the surrounding villages including Barlow, Holmesfield and Apperknowle.
A date for your diary, many of these pubs take part in the annual Three Valleys beer festival with extra beers, food and entertainment laid on and a free bus service from Dronfield station.
Barlow
Commonside Road
Friendly, traditional village local with colourful windowboxes and planters on the tiny front terrace. Three rooms, configured round a central bar, comprise a public bar with wooden settles, a front room with a coal fire, and a comfortable back room with panoramic views of the countryside. There is a separate games room. This pub has a strong community feel, though all are made welcome. The landlord has been here for more than thirty years. Beer from Barlow brewery, based in the village, is served via two handpumps. Buses:
16,
16A.
Valley Road
Recently benefitted from a thorough refurbishment providing a comfortable, contemporary pub-restaurant, the bar has a changing selection of real ales including some from local micro-breweries and the food menu is principally quality Italian with a speciality in fresh fish. Buses:
16,
16A.
Millthorpe
Cordwell Lane
Delightful traditional stone built country pub with main bar and small separate room. Closed for several months and feared it would be turned into a private residence, members of the local community bought it and reopened it as a pub. The beer garden is especially popular with families in summer. Buses:
16,
16A.
Holmesfield
Main Road
Pub with two rooms and a conservatory and a focus on traditional pub food. Buses:
16,
16A.
Main Road
A proper locals pub in the centre of the village with a homely feel. Stone built with two rooms – lounge and snug. Buses:
16,
16A.
Cowley Bar
An extremely popular traditional country pub with open fires and low beams offering a relaxing, warm and cosy atmosphere. The beer range has increased steadily over the years to six hand pulled cask ales. Finest cask accredited. They also have numerous accreditations for cask ales. Dronfield CAMRA country Pub of the Year 2012. Buses:
16,
16A.
Dronfield Woodhouse
Pentland Road
A former Shipstone’s house, the Jolly Farmer was born in the late nineties from the Gorsey Brigg and retains much of the artificial rustic character it was given then. Different levels and alcoves give this large pub a very intimate feel. Buses:
16A,
43.
Carr Lane
Situated in Dronfield Woodhouse this Pub serves the local community. There is a quiz every Tuesday and Thursday evening with all teams welcome and prizes for the winners. Good home cooked food is served lunchtimes and evenings to a high standard. Buses:
16,
16A.
Stubley Lane
Recently refurbished and re-opened as a food and entertainment pub. Since participating in the Three Valleys Beer Festival, the Talbot has maintained flow through six handpumps. One is reserved for cider – currently Weston’s Old Rosie. Buses:
16,
43,
43A.
Bubnell Road
A sports club bar open to the public upstairs in a new purpose built building overlooking the facilities. Buses:
16,
43,
43A.
Dronfield Hill Top
Hilltop Road
A traditional country inn on outskirts of Dronfield. Food served Thursday to Sunday – good value, well cooked meals. Nice beer garden in summer months. Quiz night Thursday – well supported. Nice relaxed atmosphere, friendly staff. Occasional live music. Buses:
43,
43A
(note at the time of going to press this pub was temporarily closed).
Dronfield Hallowes
Cemetery Road
Twelve beers on handpump. This was the flagship tap for Spire Brewery until the brewery was sold in October 2014, now a selection of up to twelve changing guest Beers are served. The Thee Tuns has been voted “Derbyshire Pub of the Year” for 2013 and the Dronfield and District Cider Pub of 2014! Very popular Wednesday quiz night (9:30). Good honest home-cooked food served with Sunday lunches very popular. Buses:
43,
43A,
44,
44A.
Dronfield Town Centre
Chesterfield Road
Previously the Old Sidings Bar, the venue has been refurbished and reborn as the Dronfield Arms real ale pub on the ground floor and restaurant downstairs. There is also a purpose built decking area outside at the rear under the railway bridge that could be ideal for train spotters! Features up to 6 handpumps and a loyalty card for regulars offering a free pint for every 7 purchased. Basic food offer is pies and gourmet pizzas with a blackboard menu of specials usually also available. Buses:
44,
44A. Rail station close by.
Chesterfield Road
Recently refurbished two room pub. Regular live music, sport on TV and pool table. Buses:
44,
44A. Rail station close by.
Callywhite Lane
Due to open early December, a shop selling bottled beers and draught cask ale with an option to drink inside. Buses:
44,
44A.
Church Street
Historical pub with several small drinking areas in various nooks and crannies! Buses: 1
6,
16A,
43. Rail station close by.
High Street
Small and smart hotel bar, tapas food available, one real ale in the form of Abbeydale
Moonshine.
Stubley Lane
A small community local that has recently benefitted from a quality refurbishment that has extended the bar area and beer range. Sport on TV and weekly live music features. Discounted beer on Mondays. Buses:
14,
15,
16,
43.
Sheffield Road
Small, cosy pub attached to the Sheffield FC football ground and operated by Thornbridge Brewery. Buses:
43,
43A.
Boshaw
Sheffield Road
Everything you expect from a carvery restaurant along with a small bar area with competitively priced national real ale brands available. Buses:
43,
43A.
Coal Aston
Eckington Road
A Cask Marque approved pub, which means you can be assured you’ll be served an excellent pint! A cosy village pub on the main road overlooking the park. Quiz night Mondays. Buses:
14,
44,
44A.
Brown Lane
A comfortable and welcoming true village local tucked away in Dronfield’s northern edge. The Cross Daggers is a 19th Century pub which has been home to Landlord, Anthony Hutchinson since 2000. The pub proudly carries the Cask Mark Accreditation for excellent beer management. A viewing window in the floor shows the immaculate cellar below. Buses:
14,
44A.
Holmley Lane
Estate pub, one ale – normally Timothy Taylors Landlord, live music at the weekend. Buses:
14,
44A.
Apperknowle
High Street
What some might call a proper rural pub, sitting on the edge of the village overlooking the Moss Valley with tables outside on the grass, inside the pub has lots of cosy corners and a roaring fire. A range of six real ales on handpump is on the bar, supplemented by a further two beers on gravity at busier times along with a range of traditional ciders (look for the blackboard – these are fetched from the cellar to order). Food is limited to pork pies, cheeses and black puddings (great value sharing platters are available). Buses:
14,
15.
Barrack Road
Named not after a local barracks but after a ‘barracking bear’. Traditional local pub with up to 4 real ales and a cider. Open evenings only except Sunday when lunches are served. Buses:
14,
15.
Hundall
Hundall Lane
Fantastic rural village pub with three rooms including a TV lounge and pool table area plus a conservatory at the rear. Three real ales at reasonable prices and discounts are available for CAMRA members.
