The Old Nags Head is a pub in the village of Edale in Derbyshire, England.
It’s well known because it’s at the starting point (southern end) of the Pennine Way, Britain’s oldest and, some say, toughest National Trail. The building dates from 1577, though I don’t think it’s been a pub that long, but it’s certainly been the traditional starting or ending point for Pennine Way walkers since the trail opened in 1965. This puts it in an ideal position to become a crappy tourist pub with bland, overpriced food and boring, overpriced beer. What’s remarkable is that it hasn’t become this.
The menu is varied and the food (what we had, anyway) was good. Several cask ales are on hand and two I tried, including the made-specially-for-them 1577 Ale, were wonderful. The sign out front says that families, dogs and muddy boots are welcome and they mean it. All manner of hiking groups came in while we were there and as far as I can tell a splendid time was had by all. A nice surprise and a grand way to begin our Pennine Way hike.
I have a small gallery of photos from our Pennine Way adventure online here.
