Devonshire Arms, Pilsleyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Been to the pub several times over the past few years and have seen the recent changes to it. Have to say that I don't like a pub being turned into a "gastropub" and losing its character, but if its a choice between that and closing for ever then I'd have to accept the gastro status. That said, a group of 12 of us went out hiking and called in the pub around New Year and we couldn't have been treated better. First we let the pub know we were coming and they reserved the back room for us. OK, maybe it was to keep us out of the way of the posh client�le who turn up in their BMW's and Mercs but maybe they were looking after us. Most importantly there was a good range of beer and only the Thornbridge Jaipur was more than 3 quid a pint. The ordinary soup and sandwich menu or the small portions were still reasonable value so no complaints there and we found the staff to be quite "normal" and friendly. Only minor complaint is that they insist on you removing your boots, but that's OK as they make it quite clear when you walk in. I was looking for somewhere to find fault and have a moan about the loss of character or the way they treated us as second class citizens or something but have to say I left feeling quite impressed!
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No longer a genuine pub just a pretend one. Not much bar area left as they try to cram in as many eating tables as possible. Trying to be a superior restaurant associated with the classiness of the Chatsworth estate. Rich red wallpaper with a stags head motif pattern.
But it was only ordinary pub grub, ie fish & chips, gammon & chips etc. Tarting food up with a few fancy leafy bits and bobs doesn't make it haute cuisine. The new money minded Duke is probably behind the "improvements". Perhaps he thinks �12.95 for steak and kidney pudding, chips and peas is good value but I don't. I suppose someone has got to pay for the renovations going on at Chatsworth. Plenty of customers though on a dull November Saturday afternoon. No locals, no cyclists,no hikers except me and my mates. The street outside was a jumble of parked cars so the usual touroid lemmings with more money than sense have taken over yet another village pub. You can't really blame pub owners for taking advantage of this lot. Beer was OK though and not quite through the �3 per pint barrier but edging close. Also my mate enjoyed his �6.95 sandwich but he queued a quarter hour to order it at the bar. Another Peak District pub that's lost its soul.
GeofB - 26 Nov 2011 18:50 |
Pretentious? Moi?
Yes! Very, very yes!!! - With pricing to match.
Though in fairness the peak ales were superb and the service good.
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The refurbishment has removed the character this pub once had and is now just an upmarket restaurant trying to attract punters from Chatsworth Farm Shop. Nothing wrong with the beer , but who in their right mind would pay �11.95 for fish and chips?
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Recently subjected to a long overdue and extremely well done refurbishment and now under the same management umbrella as the Devonshire at Beeley. Outstanding selection of mainly local beers, well kept, and an imaginative menu which relies heavily on produce from the foodie's paradise of Chatsworth Farm Shop elsewhere in Pilsley. Manager and head chef both chatty and relaxed. The only fear is that the place will quickly be swamped by diners around the clock. First visit, days after the reopening, found the place sparsely populated with locals in early evening. Second was absolutely thronged with tweed and corduroy brigade on a midweek afternoon.
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Recently subjected to a long overdue and extremely well done refurbishment and now under the same management umbrella as the Devonshire at Beeley. Outstanding selection of mainly local beers, well kept, and an imaginative menu which relies heavily on produce from the foodie's paradise of Chatsworth Farm Shop elsewhere in Pilsley. Manager and head chef both chatty and relaxed. The only fear is that the place will quickly be swamped by diners around the clock. First visit, days after the reopening, found the place sparsely populated with locals in early evening. Second was absolutely thronged with tweedy and corduroy brigade on a midweek afternoon.
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NIce pub in one of the Chatsworth Estate villages. Friendly, helpful staff. Limited range of food, but each one we tried was well prepared. 4 real ales, Chatsworth, Theakstons OP and Black Bull - can't remember the 4th but the others were well kept
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Snooty, upmarket pub with poor attitude to customers and also poorly kept beer. Wouldn't go back if they paid me.
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Not to be confused with a pub of the same name in nearby Beeley. This place is the business. A lovely, unpretentious country boozer in one of the villages on the Chatsworth Estate.
The beer is well kept, the food is simple traditional country fare (excellent pies, great fish and chips etc.) and the Landlord is a real character. don't dare use a mobile in his pub.
Combine a visit with a look in the Charstwoth Farm Shop a 100 yards up the road.
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