Wheatsheaf Pub and Pantry — Restaurant in Derbyshire Dales

Had an awful experience at The Wheatsheaf Pub and Pantry in Bakewell today. I’ve visited a few times before because it’s easily accessible, but this visit was a complete nightmare. I only wanted a drink with my family, and yes, it was busy, but both members of the bar staff saw me waiting with my mum and still decided to serve people who arrived after me.

The only conclusion I can draw is that it’s because I’m a wheelchair user. What made it worse was that they made eye contact with me and then carried on ignoring me. It was degrading and made me feel less than human.

If you’re a wheelchair user, I’d strongly suggest avoiding this place. The staff were rude and ignorant, and they completely ruined our family day out. No one deserves to be treated like that. I'm adding a reply to Tom's comments here because Google doesn't give you that option:

Hi Tom,

Thanks for getting back to me.

I just want to be clear about a few things. Since the initial email from management, I’ve tried to arrange a phone call, but I’ve been completely ignored. It honestly feels like that first emails I received back were just lip service, and I’m not convinced the training you mentioned will actually happen.

What’s even more frustrating is that the same staff member who ignored me on Boxing Day had done the same earlier in the year when the pub was much quieter, but I didn't think much of it the first time. Busy or not, there’s absolutely no excuse for ignoring me simply because I’m a wheelchair user. If you look at the CCTV again, you will see that a group of 5 people walked in off the street and were served straight away, one in th group was a woman in a white/cream coloured coat, with blonde hair. To then have my follow-up email ignored just shows that accessibility really isn’t a priority for the pub, management, or certain staff members.

If someone had replied to my last email, I wouldn’t feel this way now. I hope you’ll take this on board and make some genuine changes because it’s not just about me, it’s about ensuring everyone feels welcome and valued...

Update, had a manager come over and not avoided the table we would of happily spoken to them, probably wouldn't of left a review but unfortunately no one bar the waitress did..... Being in the industry and yes a head chef I kinda no what to expect. Damaging? It's just the truth...

Came on Sunday afternoon 18th May, table of 4.

Menu looked okay for a Sunday. Was Shocked to see a ploughman's platter on there, so we chose to order 2 of these to share, for £25 a ploughman's I expected something that looked pleasing to the eye, this however really wasn't the case!!

We got half slice of smelly ham, a rock hard small loaf of bread, you could bang it on the table it was that stale! 2 quarters of brown apple, two sticks of un peeled and un washed celery, a really miserable soggy salad garnish drenched in something. Slightly yellow white cheese. 1 pickled onion chopped in to 4 crammed in a dip pot! some random pickle like say Branston but it wasn't. On a shabby IKEA board! For £25 I was absoulty disgusted at what was presented to us! I straight away asked the waitress to take it away, I was Absolutely no way paying £25 for that! You having a giggle, you need to seriously re train your chefs on a ploughman's platter! As a head chef my self I would be sooooo embarrassed by what was sent out, to be fair I wouldn't even dream of sending that out!

I got a refund I literally couldn't pay for what was in front of me, my parents had a 5 hour car journey, and unfortunately we ran out of time to try anywhere else, so they just ate what was edible! They was brought some frozen unbaked foccacia bread, that wasn't shown the oven, like it should be. This was so salty and soggy! They received half the money back!

Shockingly rubbish! I think you need a a new head chef who actually cares what's being sent out of his or her kitchen

I came for a platter roughly a year ago and it was incredible, hence why we came back! But honestly I'd avoid this restaurant now in future, I wouldn't waste my hard earnt money!

The toilets also, you might want to air them, the smell of paint fumes is...

Great..... You will see us again.....5 stars We literally arrived in Bakewell hungry after a lovely walk on the nearby Roaches. The wheatsheaf was an inspired / lucky find. From the moment we walked through the door the very busy staff were polite, courteous and helpful. Even on an August Bank holiday Monday when the town was gridlocked they found us a table for two. We picked from the menu, I had the steak pie, my wife the Tuna. Ordered the food and also our drinks at the bar . To be honest we expected quite a delay for the food due to the place being so busy. But we were served our food within about 15 mins by the wonderful Charlotte, she really was exceptional. Obviously very busy but was always friendly , polite and whilst we were eating she returned to ask how our meals were, she seemed genuinely interested ( you get the feeling at some resteraunts, they don't actually care, not so with Charlotte) So....to the food. The steak pie. Absolutely top draw ( and I consider myself quite a connoisseur). The beef was really tender and tasty in a rich , but not too rich gravy, the pastry amazing. Chips....big, chunky and crispy. The accompanying Pot of gravy was a delight in itself. Top marks to the chef, Jack. The Tuna... Lovingly prepared, on a bed of stirfried vegetables, in a tasty sauce. Not the sort of pub dish you'd expect. Again, the wife sends her thanks and well done's to Jack. All in all, a very enjoyable meal at a reasonable price. Five stars to Charlotte, Jack and all at the wheatsheaf. Note.....we are partial to an ice cream desert and fancied finding the best in town as we walked off our meal. If you're the same, Charlotte is your girl ( great local knowledge on this subject). How would I summarise?? Simply........