Navigation Inn, Bugsworth, Saturday night, October 6th 2007.
I thought there were a bunch of really nice people at the Navigation Inn, which proudly (if a tad grandly) styles itself as "probably the best pub in the world". I was quite taken with the two landladies, Jo and Lisa, who genuinely seemed to listen to their customers, and I could think of many worse fates than spending the rest of my life in their company.
There's a good beer selection, and Lisa was earlier this year listed by licensee newspaper the Morning Advertiser as receiving CaskForce training, which suggests a good understanding of ale service.
While they had a fair selection of ciders, there was nothing that the UK Cider wiki might describe as 'real cider'.
Nevertheless, I was impressed how Jo showed a good deal of interest and curiosity when I told her of my love for good cider, and I'm sure they would give any reps from 'real cider' companies a fair hearing. Here's a heavy hint to Aspall, Kingstone, Thatchers, or even to Henry Weston. Drop off a few samples, will ya?
The picture at top shows regulars ....... (on left, name forgotten, sorry) and Zander on right, both avid Man United supporters, complete with shirts and their own private MUFC mugs, and Jo and Lisa in the centre background.
A local pub that has local customers with their own personal jugs kept behind the bar is a sign of a stable community, I always think. I'm not sure I could ever put down such roots, but it's nice to think that others do.
But as I mentioned on Saturday night, the best thing for an internet-mad boater is that the Navigation has open, free wifi! I think free wireless internet is a fantastic reason to go all the way to Bugsworth Basin, tie up and mosey over for a pint or a meal at the Navigation Inn.
There are any number of Navigation Inns in the UK, and you can be pretty sure that they all are near canals - or used to be. And I'm slowly building up a collection of photos of them.
Bugsworth's version doesn't have quite the spectacular waterside setting of the Navigation Inn I photographed a year ago at Barrow-on-Soar, but I commend it heartily for its atmosphere and beers. Good-looking menu, too, although I didn't try it. Jury's still out on cider, though. Perhaps you can persuade Jo and Lisa?
So does that mean you like it or not?
Posted by: Andrew Denny | Tuesday, 23 June 2009 at 08:16 AM
Although quite some time, I can't help but say my views about the attitude of the people behind this Navigation Inn. Truly good customer service draws crowd but bad customer service draws negative feedback and somehow create bad-word-of-the-mouth that will surely ruin any business.
Posted by: hampers | Tuesday, 23 June 2009 at 03:09 AM
Two Navigation Inns, now two Gemmas ? Huge scope for confusion here methinks :)
Posted by: Martin Ward | Friday, 13 March 2009 at 09:26 AM
The pub has new managers now called Steve & Gemma, I think they took over just before xmas 2008, what a change, light and warm and welcoming, with good fresh food and a rather decent pint of Howard Town's Dark Peak, the pub is on the up, well worth a visit.
Posted by: The Wanderer | Friday, 13 March 2009 at 01:47 AM
sadly, Jo & Lisa are no longer 'mein hosts' and as a result quality in all areas has gone south. I won't bother going out of my way again to spend my hard-earned until things improve an awful lot!
Posted by: Beer drinker | Thursday, 11 September 2008 at 11:14 AM
Hi, I own the other Navigation at Whaley Bridge! it is very confusing we both often get each others mail and deliveries! We are at each end of the towpath.
Posted by: Gemma | Monday, 14 January 2008 at 01:49 AM
"...many worse fates than spending the rest of my life in their company"!?!
Just how strong is the beer there Andrew? Be careful!
Posted by: Jonathan | Saturday, 03 November 2007 at 12:36 PM
There is another 'Navigation' in Whaley Bridge which caused confusion to myself when I thought the Buxworth one was getting some stick and placed a comment on the Whaley Bridge forum web page (see below) and if you want to see war between licensees and cutomers - read the forum entries http://www.whaleybridge.com/pages/home.html
Posted by: Raymond Harvey | Friday, 02 November 2007 at 10:44 PM
That would have been a much better photo without the god awful football shirts. if you want real classy photos get some Arsenal shirts on them!!!!
Posted by: Tim Savage | Friday, 02 November 2007 at 03:31 PM
Now that is a fine snap, and would've been even better if there'd been less of a beer mug and more of Jo/Lisa's mug. Are you prepared to admit how you lit it - can't have been moonlight, surely? And is that really Jerry Adams peering in the window [left, background]?
Posted by: Baz Juniper | Friday, 02 November 2007 at 02:07 PM