retiredmartin

September 2026. Dronfield.

There’s a large number of new Beer Guide entries that only open at weekends, including one 10 minutes away on the train to Dronfield.

Actually, 10 minutes on a train that’s delayed 19 minutes and then a 20 minute walk along the road to Unstone.

where the Drone Valley tap awaits.

Well, it would, except I’ve misunderstood their Facebook post that morning which says “Meeting at the #dronevalleybrewery from 12.30 (the bar will be open for a pre match pint)”. The “match” in question isn’t Dronfield FC, it’s the annual barrel carrying contest the next day.

So, two hours to kill. I choose the bus back into town, admiring the comprehensive real time information about service delays.

When ity does turn up, the driver doesn’t know how to sell me a ticket.

“I don’t know hell to sell you a ticket.” Told you.

I think she put Buxton in as the destination as it cost £2.80 for a mile, and I got off at the wrong stop.

But I got to see the UNESCO listed Dronfield flyover.

and some artwork by Dronny Youth, who sound like a hardcore band.

On the aimless walk a car stops and asks me if I know the way to “CIVIC CENTRE CAR PARK”.

They’re attending (I assume a wedding) there and have been told they can’t park at the Civic Centre itself, they must find “CIVIC CENTRE CAR PARK”.

I tell them I’m a tourist but I’ll happily Google it.

“NO NO NO NO NO don’t do that“.

I tell them to park where they’ve stopped as I can see their destination literally 2 minutes walk away but they’re not walking anywhere.

I think I’ve been in all the Dronny pubs, but then next to the Blue Stoops I see this unmmarked hotel,

and the Manor House turns out to be, if not quite a hidden gem,

(what would Pub Curmudgeon have said to that decor ?), then at least evidence that good beer exists outside the Beer Guide.

Most of the beer drunk has been hand crafted by Jeremy Clarkson in Diddly Squat Farm, but my Jaipur is a cool, crisp gem of a pint, and at £5.50 it bloomin’ should be.