For those who’ve walked along the canal linking Nottingham and Beeston during a hot summer afternoon, The Navigation Inn is likely a familiar sight. It’s easy to overlook if you’re not paying attention, but when conditions are favorable, you’ll find numerous patrons seated at tables right alongside the canal locks. While other establishments nearby—including the Canalhouse and Fellows Morton and Clayton—offer expansive beer gardens with views over the water, none sit quite as proximity to the canal as this pub on Wilford Street, which was constructed in 1750. However, during my latest excursion to this watering hole as part of my ambitious project to evaluate every pub within a 10-minute walk of Nottingham Station, I found the interior equally impressive.
I arrived at the establishment on a overcast Wednesday mid-afternoon, where approximately six individuals were seated in pairs on sofas, wooden seating, and Chesterfield Red armchairs. Vintage posters featuring rock icons like the Sex Pistols and Jimi Hendrix adorn the forest-green and burnt-orange walls, while numerous plants contribute to a welcoming atmosphere.
The bar presents an extensive selection. The usual suspects—Guinness, Carling, Estrella, and Stella—are all available. But scanning further reveals a beer engine featuring an noteworthy range of ales from Timothy Taylor’s brewery based in Yorkshire. Having spent considerable time in the north, where I’ve enjoyed far too many pints of their flagship 4.3 percent Landlord, it was refreshing to find it available closer to home.
Unsurprisingly, I selected the Landlord, which cost £5.70. For those with different preferences, there are also some less common options from independent breweries including Earth Mover from Uttoxeter and Woodforde’s Albion cream stout. Four varieties of Old Mout cider are also on tap. While I typically make occasional remarks about fruity ciders, I must admit I occasionally enjoy a refreshing glass during summer months. And given the pub’s popular outdoor space, I imagine they go through considerable quantities during warmer periods.
My companion ordered a pint of their pineapple and raspberry cider, priced at £6.20.
Regarding food, The Navigation Inn offers a fairly traditional pub menu featuring dishes such as fish and chips, steak and ale pie, and beef chilli. The butter chicken curry and spicy plant-based Thai burger provide some variety, with a special lunch menu offering lighter options at £7 during daytime hours.
Drinks in hand, we ventured outside into the wind and discovered the canalside garden completely empty. Given the weather conditions and the time of approximately 3pm, this wasn’t particularly surprising. It actually provided a pleasant contrast to summer Saturday afternoon visits when one must scour the garden for any available seating.
Sitting outdoors in the shadow of the bridge on Wilford Street, I was reminded of just how wonderful Nottingham’s canalside areas are, and how frequently both myself and many others take them for granted. Despite being mere minutes from the activity surrounding the railway station, Maid Marian Way, and Lister Gate, I felt as though I could have been in a rural village miles from anywhere. Perhaps that was simply the effect of the beer, but if one squints and disregards the distant HMRC building, it’s easy to imagine being somewhere far more remote.
Eventually, the wind became too uncomfortable, so we returned indoors and found the interior equally inviting. Seated on wooden chairs in the corner of the room, we even remained for a game of Scrabble. As a result, my visit to The Navigation Inn has become, thus far, the longest I’ve spent at any pub during this review series. If that doesn’t demonstrate how much I appreciated the establishment, nothing else will.
Describing it as a hidden gem feels somewhat inaccurate—it’s not particularly concealed, and whenever I’ve mentioned it to friends or colleagues, they universally agree it’s excellent. Yet it doesn’t seem to receive the recognition it truly deserves. We should be hearing much more about a pub this distinctive, yet people still seem to discover it by chance.
One thing is now evident to me. Whether I’m enjoying a scorching day by the canal or passing a dreary rainy afternoon seated on a sofa playing Guess Who, I won’t wait long before returning.
Previous stops on my journey to review every pub within 10 minutes of the railway station: The Cross Keys—Despite changing trends, this traditional city pub has retained its character a century later. Barley Twist—Easy to overlook, but nestled between Greggs and a fish and chip shop, I discovered one of the city’s finest pubs. The Shamrock Social—The city’s newest Irish establishment had promised ‘creamy pours’ and ‘great craic’ for months. I’d say it delivered. Hopkinson—This eccentric pub near the station might be the only place in the city where you can enjoy a pint beside Marilyn Monroe. Winter Wonderland—I began sympathizing with the Grinch while drinking a flat pint from a plastic cup, but I’ll certainly return in December. Fothergills—A beautiful building with excellent variety, this isn’t a casual after-work pint spot but rather for special occasions. O’Neill’s—Beyond the Guinness posters and lucky green paint, the venue felt more like a Wetherspoon establishment than anywhere I visited in Dublin the previous week. Fellows, Morton and Clayton—Situated directly alongside 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 ideal for winter, making you feel seated in the countryside rather than beside the NET tram line. Brew Tavern—Expecting busy commuters, I instead encountered friendly regulars at this intimate local pub situated on a railway station corner.