Spring Pub of the Season 2003
The Arkwright Arms.  Sutton-cum-Duckmanton.

The Arkwright Arms in Sutton-cum-Duckmanton has done it again! The family partnership of Paul and Judy Chadwick, along with their son John, have achieved the accolade of "Spring Pub of the Season" to add to similar awards gained in Spring 1999 and Winter 2001. Paul and Judy have been running this Free House since August 1989 and have built up an excellent establishment with a good friendly atmosphere. They also provide a well kept and extremely varied selection of beers, thanks to John; who is the cellarman.

You’ll find The Arkwright Arms on the A632, 1.2 a mile east of New Arkwright, mid-way between Chesterfield and Bolsover. It’s easily accessible by car (and in our case by taxi) and is also on a bus route (it’s on the Clowne and Langwith routes, when travelling from Chesterfield). There is a good sized car park, but with all the beers on offer I would highly recommend that you find some other way of getting there and leave your car at home!

The Arkwright Arms, or "Bottom Duck" as it is fondly known due to its location at the bottom of the hill near Duckmanton, started life as The White Swan. It closed in 1871, when it failed to get its licence renewed, and re-opened some 14 years later, courtesy of William Arkwright (a descendent of the famous industrialist). In this incarnation it was known as Arkwright’s Arms and eventually settled on the name we know it by today.

The distinctive "tudoresque" black and white façade appeared in 1927, following a major re-build by Brampton Brewery, which also involved the pub being set further back from the road. At the moment this impressive frontage is obscured by scaffolding, but thankfully this is only temporary.

When you enter the pub itself you will discover a comfortable bar and lounge layout, with welcoming coal fires, and a good sized dining area to the rear (also with a roaring fire). Meals are served every lunchtime and on Friday and Saturday evenings, so we didn’t get a chance to have one.

Judging by the buffet we had however, and by the reports of other visitors, the meals are well worth trying and range from sandwiches and snacks to full main meals.

During our visit we sampled a good number of the beers on offer. Their regular beer is Pedigree, supplemented by at least three regularly changing Guest Ales; all of which range from the £1.80 to £2.00 a pint mark. We had some Daleside Stout, Mowbrays Mash, Moonshine and Arbor Light between us, all of which were of consistently high quality. It was our first visit to The Arkwright and we were suitably impressed!

The Chadwicks seemed genuinely pleased to be presented with this award and this was reflected in the warm welcome we received. The bar was full of regulars, as well as CAMRA members; a good sign of a popular local! If, like Alun and me, you haven’t visited the "Bottom Duck" before, I recommend you call in for a pint or two. They even have a popular Beer Festival each year if you want to sample a few more of their excellent beers.