The White Hart, Whaley Bridge

 

The White Hart, Market Street, Whaley Bridge, High Peak SK23 7HN

On my visit in August 2022 the bar staff told me they no longer do food, although there is still a sign outside saying that they do. It seems this was a recent decision as somebody left a review on tripadviser in July that mentioned they serve food.

ambience - 3

decor - 4

Fairly new decoration in shades of cream brown and red, comfortable sofas as well as benches. Four rooms.

Service - 4

sociable and friendly

real ales - 3

features - 2

TV

dog friendly

toilets - 3

Score 19 out of 30

The Goyt Inn, Whaley Bridge

The Goyt Inn, 8 Bridge Street, Whalley Bridge, High Peak SK23 7LR

Smallish pub down a side street off the main road. It no longer serves food, despite what it says on the sign outside.

decor - 2

Dark. Single room, filled with small tables and stools, cramped. Beer garden has only two tables in a narrow backyard.

ambience - 3

lively

service - 4

friendly

real ale - 5

features - 2

dog friendly 

TV 

toilet - 3

Score 19 out of 30

 

The Pride of the Peaks, New Mills

 

The Pride of the Peaks, 59 Market Street, New Mills, High Peak SK52 4AA

01663 745243

Built in 1865, originally named the Railway Hotel. 

ambience - 3

Pleasantly buzzy

decor - 1

Walls in cosy if drab shades of brown contrasted with fussy crystal light holders and big ornate silver framed mirrors. Not your typical pub decor. Would suit a Las Vegas casino more than a high street pub.

service - 5

very fast and very friendly

ales - 3

features - 5

food

DJ and music

child friendly

dog friendly

beer yard at the back with a pod (outbuilding) available for private booking

toilets - 4

Score 21 out of 30

disabled access - front entrance level with pavement*

*I'm starting to report on disabled access in pubs because a buddy and I now have mobility issues, so I've become more disability aware. But I'm offering it for information without adding it to the scores, because some pub buildings are so designed that it is not possible to adapt them or put in disabled loos without major structural alterations. The fact that pub builders of yore took no account of disabled access is not the fault of the current proprietors!

The Packhorse, Hayfield, High Peak

 

The Packhorse

3-5 Market Street, Hayfield, High Peak SK22 2EP

01663 749126

Hayfield is the village the mass trespassers walked through on their way to KInder Scout in 1932, and the village held a commemoration of the 90th anniversary of the event on 8th April 2022.

The Packhorse is a restaurant pub near the church.

decor - 2

white ceiling, painted-over beams, ugly greenish-grey walls, few pictures or ornaments.

ambience - 3

Not unpleasant, despite the offputting choice of wall colour. Piped music, something I never like even when it's not loud. Mostly wooden seats with a few padded chairs and benches.

service - 5

fast and courteous

real ale - 3

features - 5

Food. I don't do food reviews but their website indicates they are proud of the quality of what's on the menu.

Weekly quiz night

child friendly

dog friendly - or so I surmise because they have a dog water bowl with fresh water placed inside the front door.

Location, in the heart of the Peak District with excellent walking country just yards from the front door

toilets - 3

Decent but the hand dryer has been fixed low above a wooden shelf and there is no space to get your hands under it to dry them.

Score 21 out of 30

disabled access - uneven cobbles at the front and a step up to the front door