Beeston to Draycott

York Chambers occupies a striking Grade II-listed building on Long Eaton’s Market Place that was built as a branch of the Midland Counties Bank in the early 1900s (built 1901–1903) and displays an unusual late-Art Nouveau / mannerist façade and interior detailing (original entrance lobby, oak panelling and chimney breast survive). In recent years the former bank has been sensitively converted to a micropub (York Chambers), retaining many original features while installing a temperature-controlled cool room to serve gravity-dispensed cask ales and real ciders; it remains popular with locals and visitors.

Rowells Drinking Emporium sits in a long-standing former drapers/shop premises (the Rowells name honours the old family drapery) and the micropub conversion keeps many of the shop’s original fittings — shelving, cabinets and one of the counters now forms the bar top — giving the venue strong ties to its retail past. The pub opened under the Rowells name in the early 2020s and positions itself as a spacious, community-focused micropub with reclaimed materials used in the fit-out and an emphasis on rotating local real ales and ciders.

Sawley Junction takes its name from the historic name of the nearby railway station (the present Long Eaton station was known as Sawley Junction until 1968) and the micropub leans on that railway heritage in its decor and identity. The building itself was formerly a multi-storey branch of the Midland Bank and passed through uses as a sandwich shop and off-licence before being converted and refurbished into the Sawley Junction micropub; it displays local railway ephemera and evokes a traditional station-side tea-room/bar.

The Hop Pole is a traditional two-room pub located on the border of Chilwell and Beeston. It dates back to about 1847 and is often cited as one of the oldest buildings in the local conservation area. The building retains original features such as beams and a fireplace, giving it a warm, homely feel. The atmosphere at the Hop Pole is very much focused on beer, community and live entertainment. It offers six cask ales and some real ciders, emphasises local beers, and features regular live music as well as quiz nights. There’s also a beer garden at the rear, and the pub is friendly and un-pretentious — a good choice for someone looking for a decent pint.

Totally Tapped is a craft beer specialist micropub now located at 104 Chilwell Road, Beeston, just a short walk from the tram stop. It continues the ethos of its original site further down the road. The venue occupies a cosy mid-terrace building with a simple, welcoming interior that encourages conversation and a community feel. It typically offers four rotating cask ales alongside more than ten keg lines, plus a broad range of bottled and canned beers for drinking in or taking away. The pub is known for its friendly service, excellent beer knowledge, and relaxed, sociable atmosphere. Though compact, it feels warm and lively, with a small outdoor seating area that’s popular in good weather. It is a go-to spot for anyone who enjoys trying new and unusual brews, whether local or international. Totally Tapped doesn’t serve food but focuses entirely on quality drinks and a genuine craft-beer experience — a perfect stop for enthusiasts exploring Beeston’s growing beer scene.

The Crown Inn is a long-established inn on Church Street with a history stretching back to the early 19th century (an alehouse has been recorded on the site since around 1830) and the building — including adjoining stables — is Grade II-listed for its historic and architectural interest. Over the decades the Crown has been linked with local brewers and brewhouses, passing through ownerships associated with regional breweries; restoration and conservation work in recent years has preserved its multiple distinct drinking areas (snugs and small rooms) and strengthened its position as a traditional real-ale house.

The Last Post is a spacious and modern bar operated by Wetherspoons. The building itself was once the town’s main post office, built in 1934 on the junction of Chilwell Road and Foster Avenue, and converted into the pub in 2000. It features a large open-plan interior, a single long bar, and an outdoor seating area which includes a covered patio and uncovered space at the rear.

The Pottle is one of Beeston’s earliest micropubs and is a compact shop conversion devoted to real ale, cider and a large selection of bottled/canned craft beer; it operates with a small rear cool room supplying gravity-dispensed cask ales. Over the years The Pottle has become a well-liked local spot for beer enthusiasts in Beeston, noted for its friendly atmosphere, rotating beer lists and reputation as a convenient, no-frills, quality real ale outlet close to the town centre.

The Star Inn is a former Shipstone’s tied house that was rebuilt in 1915 to designs by local architect Frederick Ball (a prominent local figure who was Sheriff and Mayor of Nottingham); the pub retains architectural features from that period. The Star maintains a reputation for a good range of ever-changing ales and an extensive drinks menu, combining its early-20th-century fabric with a lively contemporary pub trade.

The Victoria Hotel was built in 1838–39 (licence records show a licence granted in September 1839 and opening in March 1840) as a railway hotel to serve passengers on the Nottingham–Derby line and originally offered accommodation, stabling and refreshments close to the station. Across the Victorian and modern eras the Victoria evolved from a small railway hotel into a well-known Beeston pub and restaurant — it even acquired colourful local stories such as a small private “zoo” of animals kept by a former landlord — and it has more recently been recognised by CAMRA and registered as an Asset of Community Value.

The Bird Hide is a micro-pub located on Attenborough Lane in Attenborough, Nottinghamshire. Opened in April 2021, it serves a rotating selection of six gravity-dispensed cask ales, local kegs, real ciders, meads, and spirits. The pub is listed in the CAMRA Good Beer Guide and focuses on supporting local and independent breweries. Situated close to the Attenborough Nature Reserve, The Bird Hide offers a relaxed setting for visitors and locals alike. The venue is dog-friendly, serves light bar snacks such as pork scratchings and crisps, and regularly hosts community events including quizzes and brewery showcase evenings.

The Hoptimist Draycott is a small micro pub located in Draycott, Derbyshire. It offers a cosy, dog-friendly atmosphere and typically serves three rotating real ales, often sourced from local breweries. The pub occasionally hosts live music and quiz nights, providing a relaxed yet lively environment for beer enthusiasts.