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Thorn Tree, Matlock

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user reviews of the Thorn Tree, Matlock

please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.

It is without doubt a proper pub and has views over Matlock - proper old school two halves of bar and snug. Ale quality is good but it is still a GK house and limited to their 'list' - and not a solitary local brew among them. Taylors (yuk - when are people going to admit this is now a crap beer?) Landlord, Bass, Batemans and the Hogshead TEA (which I had). Beer was nice enough but a few unusual or local brews would really enhance this place and make it worth the trek up the hill.
Snarling_Mallard - 2 Mar 2019 22:08
Ticks all the boxes in a great pub. Went with a big group for the "Pie Night" last Wednesday and were given a heads up to get there in time for opening at 5pm to bag a table as it's a fairly small pub. Wise advice as there was already a small queue building at ten to !
Had a couple of local Ruby ales as well as the ever steady landlord from T Taylor's. Busy...great atmosphere.
OnAMission - 23 Feb 2014 10:25
Recently visited this wonderful little boozer whilst on holiday in the Peaks. Best pub grub we have had in a long time, massive portions, great value and tasty to boot. Outstanding pint of Bass or 2. Very busy at lunchtime, great quirky interior and friendly knowledgeable staff. Would definitely return.
Fulhampete - 1 Oct 2013 10:29
Hidden gem on the hillside above the town.

Traditional interior comprising two fairly small rooms, bar in each, books and board games available for customer use.

Called in about 6:30 sat evening, already half full, 5 hand pulls available.
Had a pint of Brimstone - nice enough, companions went with TT Landlord, claim it was the best they'd ever had!

Will make a return visit for sure, one of those pubs that just felt right!
robf - 28 Nov 2011 10:57
Tucked in amongst the narrow roads up behind County Hall, this is well worth seeking out and staying a long while. The Bass here is so highly regarded it sits proudly alone in the larger (but still small) of the two rooms whilst the six other ales , mostly from the wider edges of the GK stable, jostle for position in the other smaller room. Superb views across the valleys and hills beyond. A very decent pint of Jarrow Rivet Catcher was had this time, together with a swift half of the superb Bass. Excellent.
Gristy - 20 Aug 2011 23:00
Ignore the 'don't ignore the Greene King sign' comment. A nice enough old style pub but although they had 5 ales on they were a limited 'mainstream' choice. Landlord, Hydes 1860 whatever, Rev James, Ruddles and Black Sheep. Tried a hazy, though palatable Black Sheep - didn't really fancy another. Pub may be okay but ale wasn't anything exceptional - wouldn't say it was worth the trek (uphill) from town to.
anonymous - 25 Jun 2011 22:29
Exceptional beer-drinkers pub (ignore Greene King sign), Bass excellent, with great views to the hills.
mtaylor40 - 23 May 2011 21:40
MMM .. the BEST Mushy Peas I have tasted since I was a child ... Wednesday night is PIE night .. choices of crust topping and different fillings .. absolutely gorgeous ..

Stunning view .. and the most friendly of atmospheres.
Saffy1999 - 30 Jun 2010 19:45
We managed to get up the hill (and back down again) to this place last night, despite the icy conditions. The pub itself has a couple of separate rooms, plus a central passageway that is also used by drinkers. In fact, it was very busy last night when compared with the other pubs we visited in Matlock, Matlock Bath and Cromford. The beer range was fairly bog standard - Hydes Jekyll's Gold, Greene King Abbot Ale & St Edmund's Ale, Ruddles Best, Black Sheep Best, Bass and TT Landlord. Talking of bogs, the gents is outside and enough to freeze the knackers off a polar bear. Ladies will enjoy a warmer sensation indoors.
blue_scrumpy - 4 Jan 2010 19:16
Visited this place 3 times over the weekend. A great pub. A warm welcome . Superb choice of well kept real ales. Can't wait to come back in the summer.
the_wandering_barman - 10 Feb 2009 15:46
I'm happy to declare my bias in that this little hidden gem is my principal local. Pat & Emma, who took it over in 2007, run a friendly well-kept house with 7 real ales on tap. Pat is a restaurant standard chef and his pies (choice of filling and crust) are very popular. It does get very crowded, especially when people are eating - it's not really designed to cope. On a fine summer day there's nowhere better to enjoy a perfect pint with a view. Dogs are welcome and Mud, P&E's chocolate lab, is a tolerant hostess.
Last year, Greene King bought out the small local pubco that previously owned it. This resulted in some overdue investment in the fabric and facilities, but sadly they did insist on taking out the Deuchars.
Highly recommended - just don't take my seat.
BarryH - 16 Oct 2008 09:46
Great pub , friendly , good beer. Good views.
mineisalandlord - 7 Mar 2008 17:24
A recent change of licensee (2007) and still a great pub. Cask beer as good as ever with a choice of about 6 or 7, certainly at the weekend. A litle more food available now, but mainly a friendly local that welcomes all.
richhol - 27 Nov 2007 23:01
Tiny pub with unbeatable views over town and surrounding Derwent valley from terrace. Beer very well kept.
pablos13 - 7 Aug 2005 22:35
If you like your beer in Matlock...
Zero passing trade, welcoming with quality beer.
richhol - 5 Aug 2005 21:40
Great little boozer, can get crowded inside when too cold for the patio. Rare example of West Yorkshire drinking corridor in a Derbyshire pub
Rammy_Tupper - 8 Dec 2004 19:43
Grolsch replaced by Stella. Not a good move.
simon - 8 Oct 2004 21:24
Old fashioned hospitality - excellent home made grub - superb bitter - views to die for. Just don't try walking up the hill to reach it, you'll need more than a pint to recover from the effort.
Dave T - 27 Jul 2004 16:46
A great pub, with very friendly landlord and landlady. (Alan and Sue) Sue cooks all meals herself, worth waiting for. Fantastic views over Matlock, but can get very busy. Excellent
elaine lee - 29 May 2004 14:51

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