please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
My pub of the year!
We called in here on spec yesterday, walking up from the Caravan Club site at Carsington. At first I wasn't sure if the place was open but once we entered it was like stepping back in time. The bar is a small room with 4 or 5 tables; 3 of which are slate topped from an old snooker table. The bar is a small server y where Mary, the landlady sat. Beers were straight from the barrel and reasonably priced at £2.80.
We sampled 3 locales which were in fabulous condition.
Pubs like the Barley Mow are few and far between. Well worth a visit.
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Thank you steve2905 for the colourful and informative review.
I always enjoy personal historical accounts, and try to give them myself if I'm lucky enough to have the knowledge.
Much appreciated, and my curiosity's definitely been fired.
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I cannot add very much to the previous reviews except that I began visiting the Barlow Mow in the late 1960s, when it was run by the formidable Mrs Lillian Ford. Back then, you poured your own pint from the barrels behind the bar and paid Mrs Ford who sat at a table at the side of the fire. Even after coin decimalisation in 1971, the currency at the Barley Mow remained in old £-s-d until she died in 1976 at the age of 89.
The Barley Mow was then bought by the present landlady, Mrs Mary Short, who has kept the pub more or less than same as it was when I first knew it. In spite of some previous comments, I have ALWAYS found Mrs Short to be very friendly, pleasant and polite. In my book she is a heroine for preserving the traditions of the Barley Mow, which has a Grade 2* listing because of its historical importance.
When I called in for a pint last Monday, the pub was alarmingly quiet. I think that I was the first and probably the only customer in the lunchtime session. The Piffle, straight from the barrel, was top notch. 10/10.
Please be aware that if your tastes do not go beyond drinking nitro-keg gnat p**s, sky sports and microwaved food the Barley Mow is NOT a pub for you.
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Amazing pub. The ladies behind the bar are more clued-up and charming than they might seem at first. The from-the-cask ales are great (a bit headless for some) - Whim Hartington IPA was the best we tried. You can forget about the outside world for a couple of hours in here, the pub just puts you in a good mood. 10/10
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Having heard of the reputation of this pub I devised a hike around it and we called here for lunch. All the previous reviews are accurate, It is an unspoilt delight run by an adorable genteel old lady. Open between 12 and 2pm on weekdays selling four excellent local cask ales drawn by a jug from the barrels behind the bar with simple cheese or salami cobs for sale. All prices are fair and reasonable.
If pubs were like women it would be an innocent virgin when compared with the rapacious painted whorebags that so many of the peak district pubs have turned into.
GeofB - 23 May 2012 23:04 |
A real old fashioned drinking hall. No gimmicks, no frills. Landlady is delightful once you get talking to her. Her daughter is a bit savage, but again, I�m sure she is fine if you get to know her. Had several pints of Thatcher�s Heritage (my favourite cider) which I was surprised to see had made its way this far north, and a couple of cheese rolls by the large crackling fire. Bliss.
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One of the truly fantastic pubs of England (at least in my experience) great beer choice in a friendly environment. No pumps, no lager, no machines and no phone reception! Enjoy!
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Time travel back to the 19th century for a pint or two. Beer-tastic.
Muzzy - 10 Oct 2011 10:58 |
Just amazing. Definately not a family pub, so I suggest you leave the kids at home. Just a great place to have a lovely pint or glass of wine with adults. No music, no tacky decor, no cut price meals. What a good pub should be.
Contrary to a few reviews the landlady Mary and her daughter Jen are very welcoming. They just don't seem keen (nor am I) on poorly behaved and loud children and dogs.
I don't think this pub has changed much in the past 100 years, and I hope it is the same in another 100.
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The often used and corny phrase 'gem' is more relevant for this pub than any other. Worth travelling any distance for, even up that hill on your bike, love the natural umbrella and pretty much everything else about this pubs. Everybody should visit this pub who gets the chance.
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We had read lots of positive reviews about this pub and went out of our way to find it, but we didn't get the same friendly experience that many others have. It seemed a very 'local' pub where tourists were not wanted, not only by the drinkers who all stared at us as we walked in but also by the landlady how was very rude and made us feel very unwelcome.
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Thank god that people like Good-Pub Guide stay away from great pubs like this one, Mary and her daughter run the pub as it should be run in a traditional way, we go there about 8 times a year as we sail locally we are made to feel welcome by the locals Tony is a star the comments by elalaer9 are so true he cant enough for you his stories about the renovation of the pub over the years are great this pub has to have a star rating of 10 out of 10, but if you like pubs with mass produced beers and food with overcrowded carparks and sceaming kids then please stay away from this little gem
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Recently spent a fine evening here whilst camping locally. This place hasn't changed for years and years and the landlady, mary, is the same since 1973. The interior as wel as exterior is timeless and just what a country pub should be. We sat outside on the grass in late June drinking out of the heaviest thick glassed pint jugs i've ever seen. Whilst we were there (from opening til close) about 5 cars went passed and 1 horse and cart. 6 beers to choose from all of which come straight from the cask and 'no lagers' (excellent) except for bottled pilsner. 1 of the ales from the cellar is brought up to the tiny bar in a plastic jug to avoid multiple visits down the stairs (which is understandable for a little old landlady). The rest (including sharps doombar, but i cant remember the others) are on stillage behind the bar. Snacks are simple (1 flavour crisps and nuts) and i believe food is done for those in the B&B at the rear. Pints are cheap at �2.50 and the till used is a wooden draw beneath the bar. We chatted to the landlady for a while as we helped her close-up, and she was pleasant and informative, even showing us her dog.
The next morning waiting outside the pub to catch the daily bus service, the landlady's other half offered us a lift to Cromford because he was going vaguely in that direction. He informed us Mary won't let him do anything to do with the pub.
This place is an absolute gem and should never change. 10/10
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Stunning village, stunning looking pub both inside and out, very simple furnishings, a real evocation of how country pubs must looked 150 or more years ago. Excellent local ales tapped from those casks behind the small serving hatch, chatty locals discussing pub experiences all around the world -all extremely pleasant...but...as mentioned elsewhere below...the dear old lady behind the bar was somewhat taciturn and unconversational, despite the polite friendliness being offered to her. Maybe it was the un-local South of England accent (despite living in Derbyshire), I don't know, but upon returning the glasses to the bar and offering a thank you very much, see you again farewell, she either didn't hear/see me (impossible given the size of the bar) or chose not to hear/see me and continued her conversation with the local girl stood at the bar. I know people get old and set in their ways, but still...
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Sounds like there may have been a change of management since my visit in 2007! More importantly it certainly wasn't a nice pub/landlady then - other people there on the day agreed. Glad to hear things have changed! Got to laugh at the Best pub I have ever been in comment - not a chance back then!
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Really lovely traditional public house - great building and traditional roomed layout inside. Great ales served from the jug, and the landlady was pretty friendly in a Derbyshire kind of way. Second only to the Three Stags Heads in the county.
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The best pub I've ever been in! The landlady/lord and regulars are incredibly friendly and welcoming. Has four perfectly kept ales (mainly local) served directly from the cask. Lovely old interior with an open fire.
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Stayed at the Barley Mow 15 years ago. Thought at the time it was exceptional as an archetypal "olde worlde" English pub you wouldn`t find anywhere else in the world. Good memories of good food, comfort and friendliness.
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I have to agree with 5600wilson.
Good_Pubguide has only commented on 2 pubs........in both he got an apparently rude reception....that must say something in itself. Some people......!
any way, more importantly, the Barley Mow is an ace place. Traditional and best for it.....leave all the kids in a 'family-friendly pub' and visit here for real treat.
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Good_Pubguide is talking rubbish. This is the finest pub I have ever visited, a real rural gem that is worth seeking out. His comment that the 'seating is cramped' totally misses the point. This is a former 17th century farmhouse not a 90s family fun pub!! The lack of a bar, good beers, coal fire and cosy little rooms make a winning combination. I can't comment on the landlady being rude but I've never had any problems. Sadly there are few pubs like this left, so please pay a visit when you're in Derbyshire.
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Please avoid visiting the Barley Mow. Visited the pub during a holiday back in July 2007. The Land Lady was very rude to my family and I after we entered a room which was private, but there were no signs up saying so!! Amazing this pub remains in business as you are made to feel very unwelcome when visiting! The service is poor and very cramped seating inside. The only good thing is the beer, shame about the owners! Never again - please avoid this pub!
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Went looking for this one, but did not realise what a gem it was. So friendly and packed despite the early visit. Good ales served direct from barrels in excellent condition. Had a wander into the other room too - completely unspoilt place with lovely fires burning.
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Lovely traditional unspoilt pub. The four ales are seved from barrels through a hatch in the bar. Beamed ceiling, and what looked like a huge log fire - I must return in the winter. It's next to the post office, and sometimes gives the impression that it's closed when it's not - don't worry. All pubs should be like this!!
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Splendid. Well kept beer, simple but good value food. Great building treated with respect. Landlady is rather taciturn but knows how to look after her beer so I forgive her that. How a proper pub should be.
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It is a pub from the past!
Well worth a visit but not easy to find.
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