The Rambler Inn — Restaurant in High Peak

I had no set plans when I drove into the countryside, it was an opportune bright sunny day. I decided to drive to Castleton but on getting there a great many others had the same idea. It was Lunchtime and I know there are many good eating places in the area, so I decided to go further afield. A short drive through Castleton. I travelled Past Peveril Castle and Peak Cavern on my right, up the road past Speedwell Cavern through Winnat’s Pass, at the top of the hill driving close to Blue John Cavern and onto the road past Mam Tor, taking in the great view of the countryside that envelops you. Many a Paraglider was aloft, thriving on the weather conditions too. As you drive down the hill, the opposite side of Mam Tor, if you look in the valley below there is a glimpse of the nestled village called Edale. Edale is a great place to visit. Nearby is a large car park, railway station, several pubs and a church. It is well known as being the start/finish of the Pennine Way. You can also walk up Kinder Scout a moorland plateau of natural beauty. If you are not that adventurous then there are many more walks you can enjoy, some in your Sunday best! When I drove up the road towards Edale, just past the junction towards the railway station ‘the Rambler Inn’ is situated on your left. As you look towards the Inn you get the impression it is inviting you to it. The Inn is set back from the road, a car park to the right of the building and to the left and front of you is a large grassed garden area with plenty of garden tables, many of which are covered with parasols. There is also another car park to the rear of the premises. Having found a Beer Garden Table it was inside the Inn to order food and drinks. The Inn appears to have a great atmosphere with friendly staff to greet you. Plenty of drinks and food to chose from. (see plenty of online photos re their food) Drinks in hand, a fruity Cider and a Dortmunder Vier, it was back out into the garden to admire the view. It was noticeable that the garden furniture was long enough to have small groups of people seated together. There is plenty of room between tables giving you privacy for private conversation and you are not distracted by others, seated nearby. It wasn’t long before the food arrived. I had ordered two meals Fish and Chips, Ham eggs and chips. The food was great and plentiful and while the desserts looked appetising, we were satisfied with what we had already eaten. Not long after we had eaten a pleasant member of staff came and whisked away the empty plates. It was a nice relaxing afternoon and I found myself contemplating returning in the near future having...

Don’t bother; walk another 500m up the road and visit the Nags Head for much better service and food.

Ordered a lamb burger at the Rambler Inn, was told they had run out. Fine, I’ll order the Mam Tor burger, also run out. Okay I’ll order something else.

Finish ordering and customer next to me orders two Mam Tor burgers with no problem, apparently it was a mistake, they’re back in stock.

Whilst waiting for food, waiter comes out and says they’ve run out of the garlic bread we ordered. Would we like some chips instead? We already have chips with the burger so don’t want any more. Said we’ll take some onion rings instead, oh no they’ve run out of onion rings. Okay, ask what else they have. Rudely told they only have chips that’s why we’ve been offered chips already. Okay, we’ll take the chips even though they are priced cheaper than the garlic bread - no offer of a refund.

Food arrives, no onion rings on the burger as described. Obviously we’ve already heard they’ve run out.

The extra chips we were promised in lieu of the garlic bread never arrived. Had to chase these up with our waiter.

Try to get some ketchup for the burger, no sachets, they have run out. Apparently there is one bottle working its way around the outdoor tables of a very busy pub. No offer from waiter to find it so we are left to find it whilst the food sits there.

Total shambles, no organisation and run out of pretty much everything...

I was born in Edale and had to return to the village for the Memorial Service of a life long friend so a return to my old watering hole for a bite of lunch seemed a good idea. Inevitably much had changed over the years but that was hardly surprising but my review is based on the service and food rather than the fixtures and fittings. Put simply - they were both poor. The gentleman behind the bar seemed disinterested although I did gather that he had been there 9 years so perhapschatting about the place that he worked wsn't something he enjoyed. For a pub not to stock some form of Coke or Pepsi in a bottle - my partner doesn't like the draught versions - struck me as odd. We both ordered a steak baguette which came with chips and salad. Sadly the steak was all but tasteless and rather tough - even the dog thought twice before eating some. The fried onions were a little greasy and the bread roll rather dry and unappetising. The chips were stodgy and not at all pleasant - we both left them - and the salad was a few limp leaves with no dressing of any kind. I spent a week in Derbyshire and I am sorry to say that this was the worst food we had there and massively over priced for what was supplied. The "local" trade isn't what the Rambler is all about but, if I lived in the village again, I woud do what several of my friends there do and drive to another village...