It was always a popular "pub" with the miners in the years from around 1890 to early 1956, when it closed.  Inside, it was a traditional village 'pub' with heavy brass rails around the bar area, which were always highly polished.  It had a vault room, a "quieter" lounge and an upstairs function room.

During the latter part of the 1890s and the first three decades of the 1900s, it was the headquarters of the village Homing Society.  Pigeon keeping and racing was a miners pastime in this village.

Upon closure, it was converted into two private dwellings and the building is still the same today (2004).  Since being so converted, ownership of the two premises has changed hands several times.

Adjoining land that was hitherto Common Land and available for access by villagers has been claimed by one of the properties.

There is evidence from a Conveyance document dated 3 December 1925, that "the fully licensed public house erected thereon, formerly called or known as the Carpenters Arms but then by the sign of The Nags Head and the outbuidings formerly leased by the Chesterfield Brewery Company and then in the occupation of G.W.Smeaton."

This Conveyance document was on the occasion that William Hunt, John Edmund Hunt and George Henry Hunt all farmers, were selling these premises and other property close by to William Stones Ltd. Canon Brewery, Sheffield.

To summarise part of this Conveyance it states:
William Hunt, a farmer of Whaley and John Edmund Hunt, a farmer formerly of Elston, Derbys. and now of Hoveringham, Notts. and George Henry Hunt a farmer of Gateford, Worksop, Notts. (Vendors) and William Stones Ltd. Cannon Brewery, Sheffield.

Each in sums of £1,431.13s. 4d paid by the company to the vendors as to his undevided one third share.

(1) All that piece and parcel of land containing 665 sq. yds. at Palterton together with the fully licensed public house erected thereon formerly called or known by the sign of the Carpenters Arms but then by the sign of "The Nags Head" and the outbuildings formerly leased by the Chesterfield Brewery Company and then in the occupation of G.W.Smeaton.

(2) All that piece and parcel of land containing 1,150 sq. yds at Palterton together with three stone cottages erected thereon and outbuildings, gardens then in the occupation of Messrs. Fawcett, Boden and Kitchener.

(3) All that piece and parcel of land containing 1,815 sq. yds at Palterton and then occupied as a garden with the premises first thrinbre described.

1917.  26 August.  Saturday.  A new lodge of the Derbyshire Miners Association was inaugurated at a meeting of the men of Ramcroft Colliery held in the Nags Head Inn, Palterton.   Mr Frank Hall, Treasurer of the Association was the main speaker.

In the foreground of the above image there is a horse and cart, the latter having a name thereon, but not clearly visible.  Could be Shentall!  The identity of the man is not known.  Note above the door, the words "Bass" and "In Bottles" and also note the building circa 1900 was stone built and appears to have had an addition, whereas the first image above is brick built.  The aforementioned conveyance is dated 1925 when William Stones Ltd. Cannon Brewery, Sheffield and states that Geo. Wheatley Smeeton was the licensee, hence Alf. Bennett, named as the licensee in this image has left the pub.

Names of former Licensees at the Nags Head Inn.
At present (2010), I cannot find any mention of the Nags Head Inn in Palterton prior to 1857.  The actual name Nags Head is not named on the 1861 census.  Still looking at this census. (May 2010)
1857.  William Turner, a Licensee and Butcher.
Source:  Trade Directory. F. White 1857 - History, Gazeteer Derby and Sheffield.
1861.  William Turner, Innkeeper, aged 58 years born Sutton Scarsdale, Derbyshire.  Living with his wife Jane Turner, aged 48 years, born Palterton and their two children, Thomas Turner aged 20 years, a butcher and Mary I Turner, aged 10 years, a scholar, both born at Palterton.
Source:   The 1861 census - the actual pub is not named, neither is the Hare and Hounds but it is correct.
1871.  Robert Cooper, a Licensed Victualler aged 52 years, married, born Staveley.  His wife was Caroline Cooper aged 48 years, born Laxton, Notts.  They had 2 adult sons Robert aged 21 years and George aged 15, both Farm Labs. living with them.
Source:   The 1871 census.
1881.  Robert Cooper.  Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire.
Note:   The 1881 census records Robert Cooper as being aged 62 years, married, born Staveley, a Publican at the Nags Head.  His wife was Caroline Cooper aged 59 years, born Laxton, Notts.  They had 3 adult sons living with them.
1891.  Edwin Jowett, aged 58 years, born Loughborough, Leics..  Licensed Victualler.
Wife Mary Jowett, 58 years, born Loughborough.  Living with them were Mary Gray, niece aged 28years, a Boxhand and Thomas Gray, nephew aged 20, a shunter at coal mine, both born Nottingham.
Source:  1891 Census for Palterton, (Nottinghamshire).
1901.  Thomas E. Gray aged 29 born Nottingham.  1901 Census for Palterton, (Nottinghamshire)
Note: At the 1901 census, Alfred Bennett mentioned below was a Barman working at the Swan Hotel, Market Place, Bolsover.
1908.  Alfred Bennett.  Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire.
1911.  Alfred Bennett, aged 29 yrs, born Sutton cum Duckmanton.
Source:  1911 Census for Palterton, (Nottinghamshire)
1912.  Alf. Bennett  Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire.
1916.  Alf. Bennett  Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire.
1928.  Geo. Wheatley Smeeton  Indenture dated 3 December 1925
1928.  Geo. Smeeton  Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire.
1932.  Geo. Smeeton  Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire.
1936.  Geo. Wheatley Smeeton  Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire.
1941.  John William Spafford  Kelly's Directory of Derbyshire.
1956.  John William Spafford  Nags Head Inn closed.