The Duke William Matlock Reviews Summary

Staff and Service

Pros:

• "The staff were really welcoming and friendly."
• "The rest of the staff (bar 1 rude miserable member) were all friendly, approachable and professional."
• "Rang up and Jan was absolutely fantastic, booked us in with no issues."
• "The staff are very friendly and helpful and the carvery is beautiful."
• "Lovely friendly staff, nice atmosphere & entertainment on the evening was very good."
• "Friendly staff, great food - and the dogs were welcome in the bar area."
• "Really friendly staff, owner, customers, nothing was to much trouble, very helpful."

Cons:

• "The only downfall is that the church opposite rings its bells every half an hour all day everyday which obviously made it quite difficult to get any sleep."
• "Booked camping field but waterlogged and landlord could have advised."
• "Only downside was the second time we went there had been a really busy week and they'd run out of desserts."
• "Admittedly we were a large group who ordered food through 6-7 separate orders but the service here was awful."
• "The vegetables were cold and some had ran out. The dishes were nearly empty or empty."
• "Only criticisms are the soda water is very expensive and the breaded fish should have been served with a sauce."
• "The site was busy and rowdy. Noisy til the early hours."

Food Quality

Pros:

• "The food was delicious and very generous."
• "The carvery was excellent quality and enormous portions."
• "Another gem of a place Janet and Phil made us feel very welcome and the meals were superb."
• "The food in the pub was cooked by Jan his wife and you cannot fault it."
• "Food is home made and excellent really nice Sunday carvery."
• "The Creamy Garlic Mushrooms were an absolute delight and the garlic bread that accompanied it was delicious."
• "The food was absolutely amazing, all served together and piping hot."

Cons:

• "Place seemed to smell of stale smoke and needs a lick of paint."
• "Went for evening meal on a Saturday night. Only people in there which wasn't a good sign."
• "The campsite at the rear could do with a major improvement; especially considering the price charged."
• "The vegans in our group thought their meal on the 2nd night, pasta in tomato sauce was very poor quality and flavour."
• "The batter on my friends fish was soggy & Greasy and the peas had no flavour at all."
• "Food was terrible and couldn't wait to leave."
• "Unfortunately paid a lot of money for a meal only half cooked."

Facilities and Cleanliness

Pros:

• "Great pub and the campsite at the back is brilliant. Basic but well maintained."
• "The whole place is kept spotlessly clean."
• "The campsite facilities, 2 toilets and a hit powerful shower were pretty good."
• "The facilities we good and clean."
• "The communal shower and toilet is in very good condition and kept very clean."
• "Modern HOT step in showers, non slip flooring and general adaptations for the disabled."
• "Brilliant pub good weekend entertainment friendly staff good camping 🏕️ field with hook up showerstoilets clean and Sunday dinner was beautiful."

Cons:

• "The toilet and shower areas could do with a slight modernisation."
• "Could do with a refurbish on shower block."
• "The toilet and shower facilities are slightly lacking. One shower for all pitches and the floor floods and collects grass from outside."
• "Only one toilet for each gender and shower looked the worse for wear which meant the second night it was pretty crowded."
• "Shocking, it is not a site for caravans and there is only 1 shower which was disgusting, electric kept going off and is not worth 20 quid a night."
• "Could do with being cleaned out more often."
• "When I arrived the carvery chef jumped out from behind the serving area and told me to put a mask on, I said I am exempt, he replied that doesn't matter you still need to wear one."

Value and Pricing

Pros:

• "Great prices."
• "Had 2 meals whilst there of great quality served by friendly staff especially liked lankadies husband?? He did the gardening etc nice chatty chap."
• "Very good prices."
• "Bar prices are reasonable."
• "The food is reasonable priced and good quality."
• "Huge baguette sandwiches, copious salad and chips for a very fair price."
• "Camping. Nice site and priced right. Lovely pub, great hosts, friendly, good food. Very clean facilities on site."

Cons:

• "The campsite at the rear could do with a major improvement; especially considering the price charged."
• "Perhaps the camping us a little over priced at £16 for a camper van and £21 with power."
• "The main criticism is the price of a pint of lemonade...£3.50..outrageous since there is no alcohol tax and it must cost pence to buy..must be 500% profit on that."
• "Used to be a nice small site until new tenants took it over. Then they increased the price from £6.00 to £8.50 per person per night."
• "And they did not warn us about how steep the entrance was resulting in wrecking our jockey wheel!!!"
• "Only criticisms are the soda water is very expensive and the breaded fish should have been served with a sauce."
• "The site was busy and rowdy. Noisy til the early hours."

Location and Atmosphere

Pros:

• "Great pub, love camping here, coming back for a visit soon, great for kids."
• "The atmosphere was great."
• "Matlock Bath is also about a 20/30 minute walk away and you can choose to walk via the High Tor grounds just 2 minutes away, giving you stunning views across the area."
• "This place wins hands down for location. Between Matlock and Matlock Bath, and within walking distance of both, with great walks nearby, and also shops for provisions and ATM's."
• "Quick walk through the park and you are into the town centre. Great location."
• "Absolutely amazing views from the campsite and Rhianne is brimming with information about Matlock."
• "Another lovely weekend at the Duke, excellent location nice walks in area."

Cons:

• "Unfortunately this ideal location near the town centre has an air of unloved neglect about it so it wasn't good value for money."
• "The nearby church clock chiming every 15 minutes through the night didn't help either."
• "The site was busy and rowdy. Noisy til the early hours."
• "Just Full of drunken loud men inside and out, no place for a meal out with family or a special occasion."
• "A lot of potential just didn’t deliver."
• "Only one toilet for each gender and shower looked the worse for wear which meant the second night it was pretty crowded."
• "Just how a proper pub should be."