BITE user comments - kmr1809
Comments by kmr1809
Must say that I enjoyed this pub, despite the previous comments on here, but then again I am over 40! Most importantly the beer was extremely well kept; when I was there it was Abbeydale, Hardy Hansons and one more (might have been Landlord but after a few of the Abbeydale I didn't need to try any more).
Food was good too - a fish pie that had lots of fish and not so much potato to "bulk" it out. Landlord was friendly and welcoming so I would definitely come back again.
7 Feb 2012 21:42
The Malt Shovel, Wirksworth Moor
Called in at lunchtime in mid-January. A couple of locals and a lone walker were in the pub. Everyone was friendly there was a nice warm fire but unfortunately the beer (Pedigree and a couple of Hobgoblin beers) weren't up to much. Didn't try the food.
22 Jan 2012 19:59
Been looking forward to the Queens Head re-opening as the Derby Brewing Co have done a great job on their two their pubs in Derby and this one is in walking distance of our house. So it was with a great sense of anticipation we went along on a recent Friday night to try it out. Unfortunately I have to say I was a bit disappointed. Is it a pub? Is it a restaurant? Or is it, as DBC's website describes, "a new fresh Gastro Food menu". Answer .....well maybe none of the above. Undoubtedly the beer is good, with a wide range, well kept and at sensible prices (i.e. some still less than 3 pounds a pint). But it doesn't seem to be a drinkers pub as the food tables with "reserved" signs, but no occupants, were scattered around the bar and there was nowhere for us to sit. So we sat in the eating part (a.k.a. restaurant end) and ordered food at about 6.30pm and the menu was pretty standard pub grub (fish & chips, burgers and the like) at standard prices. If you want gastro-pub food try the Saracens Head at Shirley; you will get better quality food at not much higher prices. But then some friends arrived at about 7.30pm, sat next to us and tried to order food but were told they couldn't as they hadn't reserved a table and the pub was expecting a large party (about 10 people turned up).
So back to the start - is it a pub, or a gastro pub or what? I won't be rushing back to find out!
14 Dec 2011 18:31
Tried to visit the pub a coupe of days ago but was told its been closed for th epast 4 weeks. Not sure what's going on!
25 Apr 2010 21:43
Visited this pub twice in the past 18 months when on holiday in the area. First time it was in September and fairly quiet, last week was a busy Saturday night. Both times we've been made very welcome by the staff. Beer is kept well - on Sat night I had Betty Stogs, Tribute and Doombar; all top quality. We also ate both times and the portions are huge at sensible prices for pub/restaurants (�9.50 fish & chips). Chilli squid as a starter was really good too.
25 Apr 2010 21:38
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
28 Mar 2009 16:28
I use the pub a lot - have done since it re-opened. All the comments are spot on, with a great range of well kept beer, friendly fellow-drinkers, good value food. Only one negative - toilets are long in need of refurbishment, or even a good clean.
30 Mar 2008 21:12
The Old Poet's Corner, Ashover
Top quality beer, ciders and live music. Dogs and hikers welcome. Good range of reasonably priced food with generous portions. As someone else said, they don't come better than this.
27 Mar 2008 13:23
Rumour is that the bar has now had to close dure to complaints from neighbouring farmhouse about the noise. Pity..
13 May 2007 21:01
Beer is always good. Recently had some ups and downs with new tenants arriving and then leaving when they decided they didn't like Derbyshire.
Can't wait for summer to sit outside by the canal
2 Mar 2007 16:31
Just heard that the pub has been sold to Enterprise Inns. Only hope they don't ruin it.
2 Mar 2007 16:23
Visited this pub during the Christmas holidays. All the comments below are still valid - good range of beer and well kept, ample quantities of food at sensible prices, hikers and dogs welcome.
29 Dec 2006 18:44
Excellent food - yes, but remember this isn't mainly a pub, it's a restaurant in a small village. Has a very small bar area.
27 Dec 2006 22:02
Landlord and landlady (Alan & Ann) always friendly and welcoming. Beer kept well (mostly Hartington Bitter and Abbott Ale). Music night every Saturday - get in early to be sure of a seat.
Welcomes hikers (no need to remove boots) but not dogs
27 Dec 2006 22:00
The Devonshire Arms, Pilsley
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!
7 Feb 2012 21:58