Lovely, snug, classy, nostalgic and 'the regulars all get along' - what more can you ask for?

AS I continue my quest to visit all the pubs in Derby city centre, this week I went to a place I had only visited once before, a few years ago, while still at university.

- Oscar Fisher

A small group of us paid a visit to The Old Silk Mill in Full Street during a roaring heatwave, seeing the big open beer garden as the perfect stop-off.

But for this visit, rather than sipping refreshing beverages in the sun, I opted for a wintry Guinness, sampling the atmosphere on offer inside.

The first thing that comes to mind for many of us, I presume, when it comes to the Silk Mill is the gorgeous mural outside, catching the gaze of hundreds of shoppers each day at the top of Cathedral Road.

Inside, you’re greeted with a warming and snug environment, with red paint on the walls taking me back to the house I grew up in, which had a very similar shade of red in the living room.

This nostalgia made me feel at home, further enhanced by the odd, quirky trinkets on the wall, the artwork, the dozens of old pictures, and, of course, wreaths and blossoming greenery that let you know it’s ‘that’ time of year.

It’s a far smaller pub than you would think from the outside, or at least it is for drinkers.

Two-thirds of the pub make up the drinking section, with a fairly large dining area to the rear - although that seems to only be used on busy weekends or weeknights, rather than 3pm on a Thursday afternoon, when I visited. I did slightly struggle to get a table; there were some free, but I didn’t really fancy them - so I can imagine large groups might have the same trouble during peak times, although I wouldn’t let it disuade you from a visit.