Too strict, glad its closed down. With any luck new owners can come in and run the place as a successful pub, not some vanity project for a disrespectful brewery. You're a public house, you should serve the public, no?
Lovely food and inside is stunning…only thing is though is that you can’t use your phone inside!
It's AGES since I last came here to the Abbey. My mum and dad came many years ago, but were not impressed by how the locals seemed to be favoured over other paying customers and served first (no wonder it ended up shutting down after some time!) However, while on my walk, I decided to give it a try and see what it was like. What a beautiful building, with such history and you feel it, as you walk through the entrance. It's like stepping back in time to the medieval period! The stone work, the archaic feel and vibe of the whole place and, of course, the roaring fire! It didn't take long to get served at the bar by the young gentleman, after deciding on the cider they had on tap (quite refreshing!) Because it was a Friday, and still early, I managed to get a little table right in front of the fire and do some journaling which was perfect, seeing how cold it was outside. I love the fact, it is an electronic-free pub (although they do allow payments by phone, which is handy!) Means that you can enjoy a drink or two, with friends or alone, without the sound of pings going off every five seconds. There are no dogs allowed unfortunately, which I can understand why with serving food etc. A shame though, seeing as it's a place, where many dog walkers pass. There is, however, seating outside but it has to be a warm day for that. I didn't get a chance to see upstairs, but I'm sure it looks just as fabulous. So if you're on a walk through Darley Park and fancy quenching thy thirst, take a trip back in time and relax by the roaring fire with a nice pint! 👍🏻
Great historic pub with the usual Sam Smiths rules; no phones/laptops (you can use your phone to Applepay), kids, dogs or swearing.
The beer and team are great, you don’t have to agree with the rules, but please respect them.
Magnificent old Abbey converted into a pub in 1979. It's been closed for 5 years and recently reopened. I popped in for a couple of pints.
Don't expect service with a smile! The barman is hilariously grumpy. While we were there he bollocked a guy for using his phone, and ejected a couple who had a baby with them, "Sorry, no children. It's the rules."
I could almost hear him seething when an old couple came in and ordered two halves of bitter shandy.
Don't take this review as criticism. The building, beer and service is awesome.