Ticknall Derbyshire UK

Pubs

Ticknall, at one time, could boast 14 drinking establishments. Now only 3 pubs remain in these difficult times for rural watering holes.

The Chequers Inn

This inn contains features from the 17th to 19th centuries including beamed ceilings and an inglenook fireplace. It is the oldest public house in the village with extensive gardens containing an orchard. Located on Ashby Road. Draught Bass, Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Marstons Pedigree real ales.

The Staff of Life

Bread was baked here until 1955. The defunct bakery is now part of the lounge bar. In the 19th century the pub was a beerhouse known as the "Loaf and Cheese". Reputedly the pub's kitchen back door key also fitted the local lock-up for drunks! Located on Ashby Road. Draught ales: Pedigree, Timothy Taylor's Landlord and Adnams Ales (May 2004). Recent refurbishment (Spring 2004) confirms move to a mainly food pub.

Update: real ales in January 2006 included several guest beers such as the very tasty McMullens Country Best Bitter (4.3%).

The Wheel

This pub is mentioned in Bagshaw's Directory of 1846 when there were three inns and four beer houses to quench the thirst of the local population of 1271 (compared with about 700 today). It is a steeply roofed, white painted pub on the main street with an interesting building to its side. Draught Bass real ale is served.

Note: Re-opened November 2003 as a "wine bar" style pub with a restaurant. Draught Bass only.

[Now closed until further notice.]
Re-opened late 2007!

Above photograph was taken in 2000 before renovation.

Review in Derby Evening Telegraph 15 Feb 2008:

It would be easy to fill this column every week with bad news stories about pubs closing down, never to be opened again, so here's a heartening story about an upturn for a village pub which, not long ago, almost became a house.

The Wheel at Ticknall is open again as a comfortable food-led venue with a couple of traditional beers available.

It's the third or fourth time the most prominent roadside pub in this delightful South Derbyshire village has been closed and then returned to licensed life and it was encouragingly busy, for a Tuesday lunchtime, when I called in.

The fact that it was open at all at lunchtime is a bonus when so many rural pubs don't make any attempt to attract business during the day.

Running the Wheel are business partners Sharon Trelfa, originally from Spondon, and Colin Potter, who's the chef, and who hails from Linton, near Swadlincote.

Previously at the Great Northern in Mickleover and the Middle Bell, at Barton under Needwood, they are a pair who know their way around a pub business.

Before they opened the Wheel, which they lease from Punch Taverns, they had to get past a string of objections from locals who got the impression that a nightclub was in the offing.

"Once we were able to talk to people we were able to reassure them that wasn't the case," says Sharon.

"We've listened to what people wanted. The Wheel was very nice the last time it was open but perhaps a bit expensive. We've got to cater not just for people who want an evening meal but those who might be out for a walk during the day and just want a bowl of soup and a drink."

Beer drinkers will find a couple of traditional ales, Marston's Pedigree as a regular and a rotating guest beer, although Punch are not renowned for letting local beers get a look-in.

That is a minor quibble, however, when a 200-year-old pub has almost been lost but is now back in business.

If I'd wanted to eat any night this week or this Sunday lunchtime, I couldn't have done - they were booked up and that is a terrifically encouraging sign. The Wheel is on a roll at last.

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