The Cross Keys stands as an undeniable Nottingham landmark. Whether it’s the hanging baskets swaying outside or the black-and-white photographs of local residents adorning the walls, there’s an unmistakable character to this Byard Lane establishment, which has been operating for more than a century. This marked the tenth pub I’d visited for my mission to sample every drinking establishment within a ten-minute walk of the city’s railway station, and I was looking forward to it. Unlike many other pubs in this series, I’d previously set foot inside The Cross Keys before. In fact, I’d been there on multiple occasions. However, this visit I wanted to explore further and discover what has kept customers coming back for over a century. These reviews have opened my eyes to the incredible variety of pubs and bars just moments from the train station. I’ve enjoyed a drink beside a Marilyn Monroe portrait, another in the station’s old cabmen’s hut, and even one in a former sweet shop sandwiched between Greggs and a fish and chip shop. It’s that kind of diversity and character that makes Nottingham such a renowned drinking destination. But, as everyone knows, nothing compares to a proper traditional pub. Despite all the passing trends over the years, The Cross Keys has remained true to itself and never attempted to be anything other than what it is. I found the pub reasonably busy on a Thursday evening, with several tables taken and a few other customers standing at the bar. I was accompanied by fellow Post reporter Joel, who I’m sure won’t mind me mentioning has been to The Cross Keys on previous occasions. We were welcomed by a compact, straightforward bar offering approximately six keg options and a selection of cask beers. The familiar names were there – Guinness, Madri, Neck Oil, Inch’s cider, and Heineken – but it’s always good to see Red Stripe available, alongside Castle Rock’s Harvest Pale. The back bar also featured an extensive range of illuminated gin, rum and whiskies, with wine available by the glass or carafe. Joel and I both opted for pints of BrewDog’s Wingman, which cost £6 each. While I’ve never been a particularly big BrewDog enthusiast, I’ve always appreciated Wingman’s tropical, sharp flavor occasionally. And since the chain’s Nottingham bar suddenly closed last month, it felt appropriate to try the 4.3 percent session IPA while we still can. The Cross Keys is divided across a few stairs, with the upper level centered around the bar area, making it the focal point on busy Saturday nights. The lower level contains more tables and chairs for diners and, conversely, seems busiest on Sunday mornings when most people are simultaneously trying to enjoy a Sunday roast and forget the previous night. Since we arrived later than usual, there weren’t many people dining. However, if they were, they could choose from classic options like fish and chips, steaks and hunter’s chicken. There are also smash burgers available, all with locally-inspired names – Friar Cluck and Gerrit Down Yer, among others. Admittedly, smash burgers probably weren’t on the menu in the early 1900s, but the pub’s ability to modernize while maintaining its historic charm is what makes it so excellent. The Cross Keys manages to feel current while still preserving the small corners and crannies of the past. In a world where pubs and bars increasingly seem to be racing to find a unique niche to survive, there’s something special about an establishment that has stayed true to itself and honored its history. An important part of The Cross Keys’ history dates back roughly a century, when a group of navvies working on the Great Central Railway tunnel would sneak in and help themselves to ale. In their defense, they claimed that building railways was “very thirsty work.” Admittedly, my task of reviewing numerous pubs might not be quite as laborious. But it’s good to see The Cross Keys continues to satisfy the city’s thirsty more than a century later. Previous visits on my quest to review every pub within ten minutes of the railway station: Barley Twist: Easy to overlook, but nestled between Greggs and a chippy, I discovered one of the city’s finest pubs. The Shamrock Social: The city’s newest Irish pub had promised ‘creamy pours’ and ‘great craic’ for months. I think it’s fair to say it delivered. Hopkinson: Perhaps this quirky pub a short distance from the station is the only place in the city where you can enjoy a pint next to Marilyn Monroe. Winter Wonderland: I began to sympathize with the Grinch while drinking a flat pint from a plastic cup, but I’ll certainly return in December. Fothergills: A beautiful building with an excellent range of options, this isn’t a casual pint after work venue, but rather for special occasions. O’Neill’s: Beyond the Guinness posters and lucky charm-green paint, the pub felt more like a Wetherspoon, rather than anywhere I’d visited in Dublin the previous week. Fellows, Morton and Clayton: Situated directly next to the large Canalhouse pub, this establishment often gets overlooked, but after my visit I wished I’d gone sooner. Vat and Fiddle: This cozy pub is perfect for winter and makes you feel as though you’re sitting in the countryside, rather than near the NET tramline. Brew Tavern: Expecting to find busy commuters, I instead met friendly regulars at this intimate local pub located on the corner of a railway station.