A traditional pub nestled within a village hall has been crowned the best place for a Sunday roast in Derbyshire.
The Coopers Arms in Weston-on-Trent emerged victorious after more than 1,000 readers cast their votes earlier this month, according to a poll conducted by Derbyshire Live.
Garnering 379 votes, a third of the total count, it’s clear that The Coopers Arms has established a solid rapport with locals and those residing south of Derby since its transformation from a mansion to a pub in 1991. The Tiger Inn in Turnditch secured second place with 190 votes, while Nourish at No. 44 clinched the third spot with 168 votes.
What sets The Coopers Arms apart is its commitment to serving carvery roasts 364 days a year, only taking a break on Christmas to serve a festive menu. The pub prides itself on preparing everything fresh and to a high standard, a rarity among certain big-brand carvery establishments.
James Cooper, the proud owner of The Coopers Arms, has been serving succulent ham, beef, and pork for 16 years. On a recent visit, he assured that their festive offerings, including the much-loved sweet red cabbage, remain unchanged.
At 39, James is delighted to have his establishment recognised as ‘the best’ by Derbyshire’s diners, commenting: “It’s great recognition for myself, but none of this would be possible without our staff.”
“We have a brilliant team, and they should get all the credit. We do roasts every day of the year except Christmas Day and our staff members are vital to our success. They work incredibly hard as a team, from the front-of-house staff and those in the kitchen to our cleaners, who work hard throughout the year. This award is for them.”
“Not only do we do great food and have a brilliant team behind the scenes, but we also have a brilliant location both inside and out. Weston Hall, which houses The Coopers Arms, was converted by my parents 33 years ago when they turned it into a pub. Since then, we have built a strong reputation, and we like to think our regulars enjoy the atmosphere and the food offerings.”
“We also have a fishing lake to the rear, I think you’ll struggle to find another pub around Derby with a backdrop like ours. In the winter, it’s really cosy and is a great place to stay warm and have some food, and in the summer months, it’s perfect for relaxing outside and enjoying the view.”
“Once again, I’d like to thank our staff and customers; without them, none of this would be possible.”
Those with a penchant for a hearty carvery at Coopers will find six mouth-watering options on the autumn menu, including beef rump, pork loin, a mix of beef and pork, succulent chicken breast, nut loaf, honey-glazed ham (available only on Sundays), and the special braised lamb shank for evenings and Sundays.
Each carvery dish comes accompanied by a selection of roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, apple sauce, carrots, cheesy leeks, creamed potato, and an array of other sides, tempting diners to load their plates with a variety of delicious vegetables.
For those who might want something different from a carvery, the pub also boasts a diverse menu featuring classic English dishes alongside a range of vibrant and thoughtfully crafted offerings. If you’re enticed by the prospect of enjoying ‘Derbyshire’s best Sunday roast’, you can peruse the autumn Sunday carvery menu by clicking the link here, as well as the autumn kitchen menu – which includes carvery choices too – by clicking the link here.
The Coopers Arms is nestled off Weston Road, welcoming guests from 12pm to 2.30pm and 6pm to 9pm Monday to Friday, 12pm to 4pm and 6pm to 9pm on Saturdays, and 12pm to 8.30pm on Sundays.