BELPER BEER CENSUS 2026
The 4th Amber Valley Belper Beer Census will take place on Saturday 1st August 2026, starting 3:30pm.
The aim is to visit all the pubs in the area to see how many different beers are available on a single day, and, of course, have a fun time along the way.
We have five routes to choose from, starting at different pubs in Belper, Milford and Holbrook. There are 6 to 8 pubs on each route.
If you would like to join in, just meet at one of the first pubs and make yourself known to the designated leader. If you can’t make the whole route, join in part of it.
If you can’t meet at the start, ring the phone number given for the route you fancy trying, and find out which pub to join with the group.
Every group will meet up at The Railway in the centre of Belper to compare notes at the end.
Routes
- Route 1 (8 pubs)
Bus Route: 6.1 or Transpeak
Leaders: Stewart Marshall & Konrad Machej, phone number: 07944 163737
The George and Dragon, Bridge Street
Rumours Retro Bar (OPENS 4pm)
The Rifleman’s Arms
Dice and Barrel
The Devonshire
The Lion
The Bottle Bank
The Railway, Belper
- Route 2 (6 pubs)
NB This route involves a lot of walking
Bus Route: 71 from King St Belper (outside Poundland 15:00)
Leaders: Chris Rogers & Chris Perry, phone number: 07896 678577
Spotted Cow, Holbrook
Dead Poets, Holbrook
White Hart, Bargate
Black Bull’s Head, Openwoodgate
The Greyhound, Whitemoor
The Railway, Belper
- Route 3 (7 pubs)
NB This route either requires a long walk or a bus journey between The Palfrey and The Tavern
Bus Route: Sixes or Transpeak
Leaders: Jen Rowland & Andy Foster, phone number: 07812 523169
The Elephant and Peacock (Strutt Arms), Derby Road, Milford
The Sunshine Club
The Hollybush
The King William
The Palfrey
The Tavern
The Railway, Belper
- Route 4 (9 pubs)
Bus Route: Sixes (not 6.1)
Leaders: David & Nora Harper, phone number: 07866 380909
The Nag’s Head, High Pavement
Cross Keys
The Greenhouse
British Legion
Old Kings Head
Arkwrights
Crich Brewery (CLOSES 8pm)
Tylers (OPENS 5pm) (MAY OR MAY NOT BE OPEN)
The Railway, Belper
- Route 5 (9 pubs)
Bus Route: 6.2 or 6.4
Leaders: Jane Whitaker & Paul Whitaker, phone number: 07484 836974
Thorn Tree (OPENS 3pm), Chesterfield Road
Queen’s Head, Chesterfield Road (OPENS 4pm)
The Grapes
Belper House
Angels, Market Place
Black Swan (MAY OR MAY NOT BE OPEN)
Monk Bar (OPENS 4pm)
Gatsbys (formerly The Vibe) (OPENS 4pm)
The Railway, Belper
2025 BELPER BEER CENSUS
Our branch conducted an annual survey of pubs in the Belper area on Saturday 26th July 2025.
The list of pubs surveyed is below with all routes ending at the Railway Belper, a count of beers was taken and results will be available shortly.
The Devonshire, Bridge Street
The Rifleman’s Arms
The George and Dragon
Scran and Barrel
Rumours Retro Bar
The Talbot, Bridge Foot
The Lion
Spotted Cow, Holbrook
Dead Poets, Holbrook
White Hart, Bargate
Black Bull’s Head, Openwoodgate
The Greyhound, Whitemoor
The Elephant and Peacock (Strutt Arms), Derby Road, Milford
The Sunshine Club
The Hollybush
The King William
The Palfrey
The Tavern
Angels, Market Place
The Greenhouse
Black Swan
Cross Keys
Gatsbys (formerly The Vibe)
British Legion
Crich Brewery
The Bottle Bank
The Thorn Tree, Chesterfield Road
Queen’s Head
The Grapes
The Nag’s Head
Belper House
Monk Bar
Old Kings Head
Arkwrights
Tylers
The Railway, Belper
2024 BELPER BEER CENSUS
Our 2nd survey was carried out on Saturday 10th August, this Census took in some 38 pubs.
All pubs and bars were surveyed, even those that do not sell real ale, so we could build up a picture of what is on sale.
Groups choose one of six different routes, all routes ended at The Railway on King Street, we thank the owners for their hospitality.
2023
On Friday 24th November, Amber Valley CAMRA surveyed 31 pubs in Belper and Milford.
All pubs and bars were surveyed, even those that do not sell real ale, so we could build up a picture of what is on sale.
Groups choose one of five different routes and 23 people took part over the 5 routes.
All routes ended at The Railway on King Street, we thank the owners for their hospitality.
On this survey we found we found 64 different real ales from 43 breweries.
