The Spanker Inn in Amber Valley

Great home cooked food and service

Had 2 small lunches, very good value for the money. Very attentive and friendly, will definitely visit again 🤓

A friendly pub. Large car park.

Tasty food, good value. Service was a bit slow.

A very small portion of tasteless Sunday lunch. Processed meat, undercooked roast potatoes and burnt Yorkshire puddings finished off with bland vegetables and watery gravy.

Most excellent range of beers that are well kept.

Great service and great experience! Fun quiz night with a super friendly staff and nice food!

Sunday lunch, 1 slice of beef a flat Yorkshire Pudding and 3 roasts for nearly £13 each. Had to order extras. Was just all bland like hospital food. Overall wouldn’t recommend for Sunday Dinner. Wish we had the meat cons and chips as that looked far more appetising and cheaper. Nice atmosphere and decor for the 2 stars.

What a great pub, after a long drive we arrived at the campsite and got soaked walking g to the pub. Staff and locals very welcoming, we had locally made pies which were excellent. Good value, great service and good beer.

Lovely country pub with nice atmosphere and tasty pub grub

Great value overall with lovely wine at reasonable price. I really enjoyed my pie!

Myself and friends had lunch at this place last week and we couldn’t fault the food and service as it was excellent. I had the steak and kidney pie - meat inside was lean and tasty with no gristle. My friend had the gammon and said it was the best one ever he had ever tasted. It’s credit to the cook as she knows how to turn out a good meal. My friends were a little late arriving but a nice lady had a chat with me and who I found out later was the landlady. The girl behind the bar was lovely too. All in all a great experience and value for money and will definitely be going again and recommending to other friends and family. THANKS.

The meals were really tasty, very hot on arrival and the chunky fries stayed hot to the very last one. Coconut Dessert was scrumptious too.

Lovely country village pub. Very friendly. Loads of car parking. Old traditional stone and wood. Fab atmosphere as well. Recommended!

Great country pub, really good food, always a good selection of beers

Shocking, we went here after looking at their advertised menu on their website, as my daughter is a celiac and gluten free so we are careful as to where we dine. We didn’t book, but when we got there we were advised that they had a table of 9 arriving shortly who had pre booked their food so we would need to order quickly. (Bit strange if you already know what they are eating and it’s only for 9 people). The gluten free menu that they had on offer is different from what they advertise on their website (some of the food wasn’t available)so my daughter just had a bowl of gluten free chips. Within half an hour of returning home my daughter had severe stomach pain, very questionable to say the least if she was given what we had asked for. I don’t think people understand how dangerous it can be to serve food to people with certain health conditions.

Myself and my family came here for a wake the other day. The staff were rude when ordering at the bar. Asked for more plates for the Buffett, and got shot down. Member of staff stopped a child in the family from going back for some food, when the family had no issues with the child doing this. All round bad experience and won’t be coming back.

Came here tonight for some food, bit disappointed in it really. Some staff where miserable and there was no atmosphere, I had the burger which was covered in onion marmalade which I knew it had on it but maybe need to go a bit less. There was no rice to go with the curry and wasn't that much curry either, and my partners pie was burnt on the inside. The menu is limited and maybe needs to be updated.

The walk back to CAMC site is quite steep until you reach Crich Lane.

Had an impromptu visit on a Sunday lunchtime as we were visiting family from Lincolnshire, the waitress was lovely and food was nice. However older gentleman behind the bar (presumably the owner) was very unfriendly, didn’t smile and no hello when we initially walked in and upon paying the bill made a disgruntled comment about booking next time. If it was an issue when we walked in he should have just said they didn’t have any availability and we would have gone elsewhere. This has put us off returning in future, what a shame.

Nice and friendly pub. Lots of outside seating. Friendly staff and good range of products

Lovely, relaxed, clean country pub. Stopped for a quick pint on the way home. I didn't eat, but the food smelled incredible! Will definitely come for food if I'm in the area again. Staff were really polite. Picked an absolute gem!

My friend and I went for tea at The Spanker Inn, Nether Heage I'm coeliac and for the first time in a long time it wasn't a big deal. My food was delicious even desert looked the same as my friends but mine was gluten free I cannot recommend this pub enough friendly, clean and yummy food. Such a fab atmosphere too. Thank you I will be back.

What a gem of a place paul and Cheryl the most amazing hosts food lovely staff very friendly would recommend this lovely dog friendly pub to anyone passing or using the local caravan and motorhome site

A lovely dog friendly pub Paul and Cheryl very friendly hosts food was nice worth a visit if your passing

We were staying at the firs camp site and came across the Spanker pub what a gem of a pub paul and Cheryl are lovely hosts Food was very nice well worth the walk if we are the area again would not hesitate to eat here

Lovely place to visit, very nice food. Definitely worth a visit. Friendly local but also welcoming to strangers. Worth a visit

Excellent food, Friendly staff and a very pleasant setting. Highly recommend. Food well priced and delicious. Will definitely return .

We walked here from where we were staying nearby. It’s a really nice traditional pub. Friendly staff and reasonable prices for drinks. We didn’t eat but the menu looked good.

amazing food at extremely good prices! menu you is diverse and serves all tastes! really friendly pub and are very dog friendly! good for couples, families and walkers

Booked this for 15 people for my husbands 50th birthday as we were in a holiday rental nearby. There were enough options to cover everyone and that includes veggie vegan and gluten free options and other allergies. Everyone enjoyed their food. Its a nice pub and we really enjoyed it. They even made a roast dinner with a candle in it for my husbands birthday and played 'happy birthday' Thanks.

Lovely pub, decent food. Lot's to occupy a toddler, too.

The warmest welcome you could imagine, the dog loved it too. Lovely pint of Farmer's Blonde

I enjoy playing Skittles on Sundays and Thursdays great atmosphere. Proper pub. My favorite personally

What a gem of a pub. Everyone so friendly, including the lovely dogs. Superb selection of cask bitter. A delicious meal. Everything perfect 👌 Thank you

hi Been to the spanker today for a sunday lunch had the roast beef which was lovely and the gravy is to die for my wife had the roast beef cob with roasties and a jug of gravy really enjoyed our trip to the spanker and will return

Went on a quiz night: great fun. Send like a real locals pub - very welcoming. Well kept beers and friendly staff.

Great pub with good selection of drinks. Very welcoming staff.

We was there yesterday in the motorhome, stayed over in the car park, we were originally going to stay somewhere 30 miles away but saw the review about the grumpy landlord and changed our minds and headed for the pub. We made the right choice, although the landlord comes across a little grumpy its obviously his way, he keeps a very fine dog friendly pub with well kept ale and great food , the locals are also very friendly so what more could tourists want. There is a £10 charge to stay with ehu, a field at the bottom of the hill to walk your dogs , all in all it was perfect for us. Thanks to all at the spankers.

Visited The Spanker whilst staying at The Firs caravan site which is just a 15 min walk. Nice traditional looking pub. Landlord was a bit grumpy but at least he was polite. The food was great, perfect proper chips and the best onion rings we have ever had. Good quality condiments too which is always nice to see. I did consider a 4 star review as my chicken burger was just a cooked breast, it was well cooked but a coating of some description would make it so much better. We will certainly return next time we're in Belper.

Lovely buffet spread for a funeral 'do'. Such high quality! Nice atmosphere too. Thankyou

Nice enough pub. Would have marked higher but barmans lack of enthusiasm was marked almost doing you a favour to serve you. Must have been the end of a hard day. No food score as only served from 1700.

Lovely pub. Lovely food. Friendly staff.

Nice food and ale, good service, nice pub.

Very nice pub. Bit expensive but stops you from drinking too much. Very dog friendly hidden dog treats in the cupboard.

Brownie points straight away as they had Bass on tap which you don't find often where I live, we had a hot beef roll as unfortunately we missed the roast dinners but was still very delicious, cracking pub all round!

Wasn't sure what to expect, as I didn't know anyone who had dined at The Spanker before. If I could use only one word, it would have to be Excellent. From entering to leaving, there was absolutely nothing to be negative about. Excellent service all round. Staff were friendly and very helpful. The prices are competitve to other establishments around Excellent food and plenty of it. Nicely cooked and presented. The pastry on my pie just melted in your mouth. Very clean in all areas Plenty of parking

This is a very nice old fashioned village pub, excellent food, nice staff and pleasant surroundings. Will visit again

Nice steady pub, good selection of beers, played plenty of pool with the kids, also there are some board games and stuff to keep the kids occupied.. We stopped at CMH club site up the road it's about 15mins walk..

Cosy restaurant part of this atmospheric pub. Service was good by a very attentive young lady. The roast beef was fabulous with all the trimmings. For desert we had cheesecake which was mouth watering. All in all a lovely meal. Thank you!!

The bar manager was miserable from the minute I walked in. He spoke to the bar girl working as if he was barking orders at a dog. My table wasn't ready. When it was ready, the menu choice was so poor, I took the awkward decision to settle the tab having only ordered drinks and go elsewhere. I chanced my luck at The Canal Inn a short distance away, where the menu and staff were much more welcoming.

Very friendly staff, good draft beer, really nice roast meat roll with roast potatoes, and all at a pocket friendly price.

Very wishy washy Wether or not they can be bothered to serve you or do food. Kitchens shut in afternoon, bad service. Cold pub. Looked unclean full of dogs. They serve peas in those ramekins that you get from Sainsbury’s. All in all a very scruffy pub

Excellent food and service. It was a great local pub to where we were staying.

I didn't eat so can't comment but the service & community where excellent. I'd go back if in the area

Stopped in during a dog walk. Nice clean pub, tables were all clean and free of glasses/plates. Dog friendly and welcome. The atmosphere inside was really friendly with everyone saying hello and served by friendly landlord. Beer was cracking, only thing stopping me giving full 5 stars was not sampling the food. Menu did look tasty though and from today's visit will definitely be back again.

Great Christmas meal. Really good value for money

Nice pub but the landlord is the most miserable person you will ever meet no people skills whatsoever 🙄

A mix up with order, dinner luke warm, overall the xmas dinner and desert wasn't great! Then overcharged us on the bill due to their mix up!

Great community pub not over priced really good food available Wednesday to Sunday. Quiz every week among other events. Small shop for emergency purchase friendly staff. Food is really good.What more could you want.

Very nice Sunday roast at very reasonable price. Happy to accommodate dogs too.

Very disappointed to see they've put sky sports in last thing we need when visiting a pub drinks all overpriced probably to pay for these stupid sports programs imposed on us

Fantastic quiz night at this local traditional pub. The staff were wonderful and service excellent. Did not have any food as quiz night. Definitely recommend this friendly and well run establishment.

Stopped in for a couple of drinks while visiting family. Lovely country pub with a warm, friendly atmosphere, and the dogs were welcome too. Never had the food, but what I saw on the next table looked amazing! next time, I will stay long enough to have food. Nice outdoor area for sitting front and rear of pub and a nice garden for the dogs to have a run around.

Another lovely pub in the heart of Derbyshire, food and service couldn’t of been better, will definitely return.

A really warm welcome from Paul and Cheryl for our party of 15 for a birthday Sunday lunch. Food was brought to table, nice and hot. Great portion size. Vegetarian option included vegetarian gravy. Children's portions were just right. Sky sports and pool table to continue the experience after dinner. Great beers on tap included Courage Director's. Our first time visit and will definitely return if in the area again.

Very good, tasty food with good service and a great selection of beers including Butty Bach (a favourite of mine). Wednesday was quiz night, a bit boisterous but great to see a full pub well into the night.

Poor service. Asked for desert menu, after 30 mins of waiting we left. Only 2 other people in the place so I assume they weren't busy, just indifferent

Food was hot oven chips were just OK but everything else was ok

Lovely lunchtime meal spot, outstanding steak & ale pie. Dog friendly pub, really nice staff, pool table/darts. Nicely renovated whilst retaining some old pin charm

Went for some dinner and the quiz and had an absolute blast! The staff were really welcoming, the quiz host was a real personality and the whole pub had an incredible vibe. Will definitely come back!!

lovely pub with nice food and great service

Only had a drink . Landlord taciturn at best .

Absolutely loved this pub and can't believe we ve not discovered it before. Went to watch Ripley Morris and decided to eat while we were there. Fabulous choice of vegetarian and vegan food but we both opted for the Thai curry. Great bowlful of very tasty curry and rice,red hot and beautifully presented. We ll be back this weekend to try the Sunday lunch

Very friendly bar staff order are food from the menu but after 40 minutes I had to ask had they forgot us.

We dropped in on the off chance and ordered a Sunday lunch. The food was excellent and we will definitely visit again.

Nice country pub. Beer very good. Food OK. Limited menu on Monday & Tuesdays at the moment. Large menu other days. Has good outdoor area. Staff professional.

We’d been out walking and called here for a well needed lunch. The staff were nice, there was a good menu with some nice veggie options. I had the veggie chilli and it was a good one with a good sized portion. My friend had something meaty (can’t remember what) and he cleared his plate too.

Really nice pub, the meal was pretty good, lots of variety on the menu and a reasonable price. They serve nice, well kept beer, and they couldn't have looked after us better. Would recommend a visit.

Great pint with friends on a lazy sunny afternoon.

Very nice food,but my pigs in blankets came very late. Beef could have been more tender.

Lovely little pub very friendly would call again

Dont bother with the salad .very small , went home hungry ...went a second time .not sure what part of the posh sandwich was may be the side salad, was the posh bit .Suppose to be steak .more like horse Landlord rude, soical skills NONE ., irritatable atitude , cleared the plates away while my friend was still eating . Advise go to the Black Boy better quality of food & staff are friendly .

We didn’t even get a chance to order a drink as the second we walked in, our dog was viciously attacked by another dog with a couple sitting right by the entrance. Shockingly they were allowed to stay there. Wouldn’t even consider spending a single penny at this place if they claim they are dog friendly! If dogs show any aggression the owners should be asked to leave.

WOW!!!! We went tonight as a family for a long overdue trip to this wonderful pub, and I'm kicking myself for leaving it so long! The food was sublime! It was pizza night, and what was lovely is that pizzas were available as an addition to the main menu unlike other places who scrap the other options in favour of the special menu 😀 I opted for tandoori chicken, pepperoni and jalapeños on my pizza, and it was BY FAR the best pizza I've ever tasted. It was piping hot, the base was crispy and not soggy, toppings were generous and it was served on a proper board instead of a plate. Service was speedy, we had a wonderful chat with Cheryl and Paul, and it was great to see the place so busy in a time where we're all feeling the pinch of cost of living. We cannot wait to come back.....and bring others with us so they can experience what can only be described as amazing, home cooked food! The Spanker.....we love you xxx

A Pub that is at the heart of the community the food is very good and there always a selection of drinks, The deserts are to die for. There is a large carpark good out door seating and plenty of events on through out the year along with the weekly Quiz.

Nice food, reasonably priced, friendly staff

The Landlord doesn’t understand measures & has a very argumentative attitude. Not friendly of welcoming in the slightest. I certainly won’t visit one of my locals again until his lease has expired. Awful

We visited this establishment for lunch which was delicious, fresh vegetables and good portions, piping hot and very tasty. However we were very disappointed with some of the members of staff, the gentleman behind the bar was very somber and unwelcoming and one of the waiters just didn’t seem that friendly, which made the whole experience quite disappointing and our custom felt very undervalued. Some lessons in customer service wouldn’t go amiss here.

Slow service. Tepid food. Miserable Landlord waiting on tables. Will not return.

A lot smarter than a few years ago under different management. Need to try the food but all looked good!

booked this prior to knowing weather forecast The worst night possible heavy snow but unlike TEACHERS we made it as we walked in we received a lovely welcome , despite it being quite busy seated in a nice cosy area placed our order for food and drinks,,, BEST PINT OF BASS I HAVE HAD FOR AGES Food took a little longer than expected , but was extremely nice 1 grandaughter had to ask for a glass of ice as her CHILLI wasn't LOL will not hesitate to return

The only good thing I can say is the staff are lovely The food however was dried up overcooked ! Veg cold meat dry Yorkshire pudding burnt Desert very dry & cold Wouldn't eat there again & these days we can't afford to waste money So overhaul very disappointed

The Spanker is a proper oldie worldie pub, cosy, homely and welcoming. The bar sparkles and the staff are happy, kind and helpful. Lots of cosy little nooks to sit in, rumbustious oak tables and settles. A varied menu also offering smaller plates to adults with a less hearty appetite. For me, a honest and reliable scampi and chips, and believe you me, I am not a chip lover, but they were mouth watering and the homemade tartare sauce brought tears to my eyes! My daughter had halloumi burger with slaw and not a lover of slaw passed it over to me, deep joy, so fresh and crunchy. Side salad super fresh. Service very attentive. If you are going to do something, do it well and the Spanker do!

Lovely pub and friendly Landlord. Will definitely be revisiting to sample the menu.

Went for Sunday Lunch, couldn't find anything wrong , nice beer ( Bass ) ,good service , lovely food served hot ,it looked too much to start with but was so tasty we soon polished it off !! Excellent all round . Booking is pretty much essential though

Great pub, lovely atmosphere always made to feel welcome

Excellent Christmas meal for our walking group. Generous and tasty portions of turkey with all the trimmings and superb salted profiteroles for dessert- lots of choice. Great, friendly service; even helped us divide the bill up. Big carpark. Recommended.

It has a game room, pool table, fire places , sports playing TV screens in all rooms, lots of games & toys for babies / children, very friendly staff members & excellent food ( very healthy options ). The view is really nice in the outdoor seating area as well. Romantic seats / tables for date nights but also group tables in other rooms. The best pub ever ! I absolutely LOVED it!

A pub that makes a real effort to be the hub of our village. I'm not a drinker so I can't rate the beer but the food is good, the staff are always friendly and make you feel valued. I just hope the brewers will be kind to them and not make life difficult as they have to some previous tenants.