The Knockerdown Inn — Restaurant in Derbyshire Dales

Our experience of the Knockerdown Inn was disappointing, but we may just have been unlucky in the timing of our visit. The bar and restaurant area are a bit dark and utilitarian, good capacity, but lacking in style or atmosphere. The selection of beers was ok, but not great, but we all managed to find something that we enjoyed. We came here for a birthday dinner and had reserved a table which proved to be unnecessary as the place was fairly empty. The menu is different, but we were told which items were unavailable when we were given our menus (foods splots and fingerprints included), and, being quite a few things, it limited our choices considerably. Finding something that we all fancied wasn't easy. If we had not been on foot (and able to go somewhere else easily) we would have finished our drinks and moved on. We ordered different burgers and a scampi (out of desperation) and then waited almost 50 minutes for our food to be served. The burgers were ok, but when the plate of scampi was 'placed' on the table, half of the food slid off the plate. 'Sorry, I can get you some more chips' was the extent of the waiter's concern. We declined the offer, as at this point, it was too little too late and we just wanted to get the birthday dinner over and get out of there. The burger buns were over-cooked and dried out, the chicken tasted nice, but we didn't get everything that was supposed to come with our meals although a side of coleslaw wouldn't have greatly improved things. As we were sitting outside in the garden, we had to pay for our food when we placed our order. When a different person asked us if our meal was ok, we did express our dissatisfaction, but just got another 'sorry' and it wasn't that convincing. It takes a lot for me to leave a poor review, but after a lot of thought and discussion with my friends, I feel that what I've written is a fair reflection of our experience. If you decide to eat at The Knockerdown, I suggest you check that they've got everything (or most things!) on the menu before you commit to eat here. Eat indoors so that you have the opportunity to give feedback when you pay for the food and service you've received. We may return, but will definitely do so with a plan B in case things...

The camping is not expensive. Was greeted nicely but told that some of the pitches have got issues with the electric hook up. So if there is no electric pick an alternative pitch. Luckily all fine. However that night had the next pitch beating their child and shouting through till 2am in the morning. Nobody on site to resolve! Others left the campsite only to return when they had left. The showers overrun the drain and there is a drain in the dressing area but that isn’t at the lowest point so you end up with a pool in there. The showers went cold on the next person only to find out the next day that they didn’t know how to change the gas bottle! So I changed this for them only to be met with complaints from others about there being no hot water in the pot washing area. Found that this is from a separate gas bottle. Explained it to the staff and swapped this as well for them. Also taught them how to reset the boiler! The site is steep and some got stuck and had to be towed out from a friendly camper. The ground is also not very flat. The food is good but a little pricey. However the chef quit the week before we got there and the replacement wasn’t in place until half way through the stay. Turns out that the manager went on holiday the day after we got there and the assistant manager quit at the same time. They have a large turnover of staff and the on-site staff member also quit recently, this must say a lot. The walking route to Carsington is also a little dicey as the crossing point on Dam Road is so heavily overgrown that you have to take a gamble if there is a vehicle coming. I didn’t find anybody who wanted to return throughout our period there and I also would not return or...

We came here today has a treat and to visit as its reopened. Time was 3pm so no one in but us. Well we're do I start. We Ordered steak and a burger. The meal took quite a while. When it arrived my burger was in a basket and fries in a bowl. My friend was discussed and said it should be on a plate. My friends steak looked black on one side but when she cut into it it was OK. There waiter asked if the meal was OK. My friend said it was very Iver cooked on the outside, and all he said was as ling as its pink in the middle. At this point I was eating my burger with chorizo. I hate complaining and feel very uncomfortable to do so. But he came back and asked if my friends steak was OK. It was pink but you could not taste it due to the burnt outside taste. I thought this is ridiculous I was forcing myself to eat a totally burnt burger and chorizo. I said sorry I cant eat this it's burnt. The waiter said OK you don't have to pay for the burger. So we left our burnt offerings and paid over £22 for a burnt steak and 2 drinks. Very very disappointed and wont be back. I now have raging indigestion and a burning taste. Oh forgot to add waiter did say the chef was the best in Derbyshire. If he was a OK not the best chef he should of thrown away what we were given and started again. He should be ashamed The Waiter did say sorry you didn't enjoy your meal on leaving. The meal should...