The Merchants House in Derbyshire Dales

Always a real pleasure to be back in Winster and partake of the hospitality of Old Bowling Green. Charming, relaxing and traditional with welcoming staff and very dog friendly. We enjoyed tasty basket meals (served Friday/Saturday), drinks and chit-chat. A lovely pub in a lovely village.

Very disappointing. We’ve visited here many times over past 10 years. Booked for two nights as we know how good it is and how booked up it gets. Really surprised to walk in to see mostly empty tables, one member of staff on shift trying to do everything and pub generally unclean. Tables not cleared, no welcome despite our booking - just told to sit wherever. There was an issue at another table which didn’t appear to be handled well, all seemed very tense and unprofessional. Quality of food has declined and portions small to average. Such a shame, needless to say we’ve cancelled our second booking and will head to the wheatsheaf where it’s a quality experience all around

We had enjoyed meals here previously but the quality has plummeted. Two of us ordered the fishcakes which were deep fried with no evidence that they contained any fish at all. Cheap, overcooked fishcakes and undercooked, limp frozen skinny chips. One of the worst meals I have ever been served. We were also seated in the 'function room' which was cold & scruffy.

Popped in for lunch today, realized we had been a few years ago. Food, drink & service was excellent!! Highly recommend if you are in the area. Been in the area for past week, & we certainly had saved the best til last. Big thanks

Chips were hot held for too long prior to serving resulting in mushy chips, fish had soggy batter and was not pleasant. Pie was overdone and microwaved resulting in inedible pie. Service from one member of staff was great however the other staff were eating food whilst serving and talking about personal matters. Needs work and improvement, constructive criticism. I am a chef and was disappointed.