The Barley Mow — Restaurant in Derbyshire Dales

My experience at Barley Mow Pub in Bonsall was nothing short of exceptional. From the moment I stepped into this charming pub nestled in the heart of Derbyshire, I felt welcomed and at home. The cozy, inviting atmosphere immediately drew me in, and the service provided by the landlady and landlord was outstanding. Their sharp wit and humor added a delightful touch to the entire visit.

The landlady's quick thinking and friendly banter made our visit truly memorable. The interior of the pub is wonderfully quirky, filled with character and a sense of history that perfectly complements the vibrant, lively ambiance they’ve created.

The food and drink at Barley Mow was superb. The menu offers a range of delicious, hearty dishes, each prepared with care and beautifully presented. I particularly enjoyed the traditional Sunday Dinner , but there are plenty of modern options as well. The selection of local ales and ciders is impressive and pairs perfectly with the meals.

What stood out to me the most was the community feel of the pub. Both locals and visitors are treated like old friends, and it’s clear that Barley Mow is a cornerstone of the Bonsall community. The pub regularly hosts events and live music, adding to its lively and welcoming vibe.

Overall, Barley Mow is a must-visit. The dedication and charisma of the landlady and landlord ensure that each visit is filled with laughter, great food, and a sense of belonging. If you’re looking for a pub experience that perfectly blends the best of traditional and contemporary, Barley Mow in Bonsall is the place to be. (We’ll be back - Shaun...

What a find, I really had to decide whether or not to review this pub, some things are just too good to share. Location, fantastic small village in the peak district, unspoilt. A good sized carpark right opposite provided easy access. From there it just got better. My daughter and I had an Amber ale, well kept and a good session ale at 4.2%, my wife a pinot which she was more than happy with. The decor inside, everything that makes an owner operated Freehouse a joy to visit, eclectic, but clean, you could spend a while just investigating the walls, cieling etc. THE service, while we visited on a Wednesday night (Pie Night) when staff were on holiday, The service was good, although busy and the atmosphere calm and professional. THE food, well I like a good rustic, yet well presented plate, and The chef didn't fail her clientele, As I said Pie nite was what was being ordered left, right and centre, both meat and a homity for the veggies, and it was a joy to behold. Home made and obviously so. The portion, a good hearty size without being overwhelming served with the right sort of sides. I'm purposely not giving everything away as you need to see for yourself. Now as proof to my critic on the food, we did not have time to eat, but you didn't need to. The visage, the smell and the reactions were enough for me to have planned a definite return.. One tip, book in advance to secure your feast. In short, If you are anywhere near, try The Barley Mow out, it's worth a drive. P. S. If you love live music..... but again, I'm not giving everything away, look them...

Definitely a locals local pub. Would likely avoid this place if you’re not from the area as it’s a very cliquey pub.

We came here on the high recommendations of others on Google Maps but left fairly disappointed.

The landlord is a grumpy chap, he made us feel like we were more of a burden than a pleasure. We had a very small dog and sat her on a fresh blanket (that we brought with us) on the wooden bench of our table and we were immediately asked to put her on the floor. A little unnecessary I felt when it’s a plain wooden bench with no cushions or upholstery (and we’d covered it ourselves) but fine. Given people say this place is “very” dog friendly I’d probably rephrase that to “dog tolerant”. Similar to how they treat non-local customers to be honest.

One of the dishes we ordered was delicious - a beef & ale pie. Lovely flavour and homemade pastry with very hearty portions.

When the landlord asked if we wanted any sauces I requested mayo, ketchup and gravy. The reply was “you want mayo, ketchup AAAAND gravy”? There was an undertone of “do you really need them all?”. Thats not how I expect to feel when ordering condiments….

We had gone with the aim of staying for the live band but left after dinner because of the...