The Thorn Tree in Derbyshire Dales

Four adults and a five year old visited for Sunday lunch. We couldn’t have been more welcomed, accommodated and well-fed! The service was exceptional, so very friendly and they couldn’t do enough. The food was great value (2 roasts to choose from plus 3 different pies with all the usual roast trimmings) - and most importantly, was absolutely delicious. We had to wait a little while for the food to come - but that was no issue for us. The food was fresh and hot when it arrived. It’s a small, traditional pub - and as well as lovely food, it has a great choice of ales too. Next time we’re in the area, we’ll be back. Definitely worth a visit! And on a sunny day it has a wonderful view too from the front beer garden area. What’s not to love!

A lovely traditional honest pub serving well kept beer. I visited on a Friday evening and there was a really good crowd in the pub. It's a walk up the hill but well worth it and there are another couple of good pubs in very close walking distance. All in all....great experience and I will certainly be revisiting soon

Wasn’t serving food when we visited but we had a really warm welcome from a young man the first time, very friendly and engaged us in conversation. The second night we were greeted by a lovely young lady who again was so friendly and welcoming. The beers were in good order and the windows gave great views over Matlock. Water and treats were provided for our two dogs. Great place to visit.

Gorgeous views, wonderful friendly service and delicious wholesome pub grub.

We hadn't planned to visit but are so glad we did. Not only does Melissa, your very hospitable host, keep an excellent range of real ales in tip top condition, but she also provides a delicious choice of food (but check their webpage for times/ days that food is available). We had one of the warm baguettes, crunchy and packed with tasty filling, and a beef "boing a boing". Great value and very enjoyable. Well worth a small detour if you are near Matlock.

Well worth the visit Great homemade curry and superb value Great choice of very well kept ales Great atmosphere which is well supported by friendly locals

Well worth a visit to this traditional ale house. Great selection of ales/ lagers and food. Just a delight

Excellent Sunday lunch and friendly staff. Just popped up after a drive out in the sunshine and found this little gem. Couldn't manage a pudding so definitely coming back.

Great little pub with a big personality. Fantastic choice of beers and real ales which are kept to perfection. Not had a better pint of Bass anywhere. Views are worth a visit too. Great visit

Lovely, friendly, local pub. Great atmosphere. The regulars very welcoming, staff knowledgeable and excellent choice of beers and spirits. Had a great night.

Great Sunday lunch at The Thorn Tree and great value. Highly recommend. You have a wait a little while due to the size of the kitchen but well worth it.

We visited as a group of 5 ladies for Sunday lunch on 13th October, wow what a lovely welcoming pub. The food was absolutely fabulous, good quality, well cooked and generous portions. We will absolutely be returning when in the area again.

We stumbled across this little pub on a walk from the air b&b down the road. We were made to feel like we were locals when we walked in. We’ve also most wonderful friends on this visit. Over the weekend we meet Lilly Josh Alex and Mellisa who all work at the pub and they were all very friendly and welcoming. On Sunday after reading some reviews online we joined them for Sunday lunch and wow that gravy! Yorkshire puddings (homemade?) and veggies were all fresh and delicious. We will be back :)

Sorry but it was one of the worst meals I’ve ever had Went with family today and we all chose beef Sunday dinner Beef was very tough and tasteless. Frozen roast potatoes?? Yuk! One of them was black, gravy tasteless and watery, so disappointing after reading the 5star reviews. Staff were friendly enough to be fair Why do we British never complain? Because I would have been ashamed to serve such a dish

Proper old pub - used by many locals and visors welcomed with open arms! Good beer - very friendly - a bit off the beaten track but we’ll worth seeking out.

Recently moved to Matlock, decided to explore the local watering holes & was extremely pleased to discover this gem. A warm friendly welcome, stunning views across Matlock (Hard to top these views from any pub), & any pub which sells TTs Landlord will always get my vote. Just ordered Sunday lunch as I sit here on my 2nd visit so no pressure for the 5 stars . A go to local I feel ✨️🙏🏻🥾 Mitch

Recently moved to Matlock and this is by far the best pub in Matlock. Location, food and staff!

Lovely pub with a cracking view. Staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. Great atmosphere, would recommend 👍👍

WHAT IS THERE NOT TO LIKE. Brilliant. Thank you GREAT ALE.

Lovely food and views , and the staff were brilliant will come here again

Good pint, friendly atmosphere. Didn't eat, so can't review.

Fabulous views over Matlock and Riber and good choice of beers, it's also a meeting place for the Matlock Cycling Club so fairly busy with a good atmosphere.

Stopped here on the way into Matlock for a bite to eat. Ordered the cheddar and chunky chutney sandwich and was not disappointed. One of the freshest, fullest sandwiches I've ever eaten. Thank you so much.

A pub that has both an exceptional view and moulded with the attentive staff makes this place worth it’s own review. Not your traditional large pub with all the glitz and glam, but instead what they do have they’ve got it absolutely bang on. Their menu is much like their pub, small but quite the opposite of being disappointing and instead a hidden gem. The food they provide their customers is of the highest quality, I can confidently say it is without doubt my best pie I’ve ever tasted. They also catered for my daughter in what was a beautiful roasted sandwich, as she isn’t a fan of roast dinners. The Gravy is absolute heaven and definitely not your regular powder gravy that all the big chains serve. The attention to detail, is what separates this pub from most other venues. Sit on one of their sturdy benches, fresh clean pint and take in the jaw dropping views. Will I be back? Of course, the 4hr drive from Somerset is worth it, just to be part of what this area has to offer, and if you are in the area, make sure you pay The Thorn Tree a visit, you will not be disappointed.

What a cracking little pub. Friendly landlady, good food, good beer and great service. This is a beautiful little pub with great views and is dog friendly. I always try and find individual pubs rather than flashy chains and if this is your thing you won't be disappointed here. Please give it a try. It's so important to support these little pubs to make sure we don't lose them.

Fantastic pub, really lovely staff and great atmosphere

Had the Sunday lunch and well worth the visit. The views are excellent 👌. Great find from wirksworth it's only a few miles to travel.

Decided to visit this pub after arriving in Matlock on the train. Long climb up a very steep hill which took about 20 minutes walking. It was worth it. Lovely little pub with two bar rooms, and outdoor seating with fantastic views over Matlock, and out to Riber Castle. Service was welcoming and efficient, and the beer was well kept - a nice pint of Old Trip by Hardy and Hanson, along with a substantial chip butty.

The most amazing Sunday dinner. Staying along the road with a group of 9 girls on a 40 year uni reunion! Mooless pie, Beef and Turkey Sunday roast, the best roast potatoes anll freshly prepared and such friendly service. Thank you!

We had a great night for the pub quiz. Good beer and very friendly atmosphere. Definitely recommend.

Great little local pub with good selection of lagers and real ales

Amazing friendly little pub, made our stay in matlock even more great. This became our local while we were away. All the staff and locals that used this pub made us feel very welcome. Well worth a visit. Dogs are welcome too.

Well worth the climb up the hill, great views and a super ploughman’s lunch. Highly recommend a visit.

Stumbled upon this lovely pub on a walk in the area! Fab find as the views were amazing 🤩

Just called for a pint what a view

Awesome views ,lovely country pub ! Worth the walk up the hill

Decided to have Sunday lunch Booked a slot at 2:30 pm Meal served on time Fresh vegetables lovely Yorkshire Yummy gravy Nice beef Great service very friendly staff Great venue with amazing views We will be back!!! Liz and the Pi Mister 🐕

did the Monday night quiz, tricky but we won😃

Lovely pub, great beers great view

Excellent place with great views outside, fantastic food, and great coffee! Lovely friendly service. We will definitely be visiting again. Thank you 🙏

Went here first time with my partner last night very welcoming bar staff were exceptional

No food menu, packet snacks and chocolate at the bar.

Great pub, excellent pint of landlord

We were staying local and decided to book somewhere for a Sunday dinner. Staff are friendly and so so accommodating! We called on the Saturday to book a table for 9, and informed them of our dietary requirements. I’m vegetarian and can’t eat gluten and they went out of their way to make something appropriate for me - and it was delicious. 100% recommend :)

Defiantly the best Sunday dinner I’ve had in a long time and a decent pint to match aswell! Showed the sport with a few watching and friendly staff. Will defiantly come back!

Lovely pub on what feels like the side of a cliff, glad I didn't have to walk far. The service was awesome and everyone made you feel welcome in what felt like a "locals" pub. Once I get a hip replacement I will deffo go back

Enjoyed an excellent roast beef Sunday lunch while staying at the cottage next door. The Thorn Tree is dog friendly, the locals and the owners/ staff welcoming. Alex and Melissa provided us with good beer and great food. Well worth a visit when you’re in Matlock.

Amazing view ..friendly staff and dog friendly ..wonderful..going back new years day ..start 2024 there!

Fantastic view friendly atmosphere lovely people i am from liverpool and i love the place.

Quick visit but seemed friendly and the beer (thorn tree bitter) ws good.. Nice warm pub on a cold evening..

What a wonderful find. You need to Google the directions. A wonderful small, homely pub. If you want posh, avoid. If you want, friendly, quaint local pub. This is the place to be. Enjoyed a home made Sunday lunch. Michael the owner/chef from Summerset, was very pleasant and friendly. He took the time to come have a chat. Definitely Google the post code if in the matlock area and call in. I'd recommend you ring first as there is limited spaces.

Great little pub with good beer choice. Melissa the front of house very friendly as we're the drinkers. If you are staying at the top of Matlock do pop in.

Great views and beer Edit: views and beer remain, service and atmosphere less so🫤

Lovely little pub. Great beers and ciders. They don't serve food.

Lovely pub great views and amazing atmosphere

Great pub ,lots of great beers and gins

A lovely characterful, compact 'Olde World' pub high above the town of Matlock with superb views from the front door and decking. Squeezed between residential properties, this place has an air of the secret about it, but it is far from that as it is a poular local haunt and is frequently busy. With a fab range of quality real ales served just at the right temperature this is a superb place to seek out.

Excellent pub with the best views over Matlock and the Derwent Valley, is situated up some very steep roads (hence the views). Great choice of real ales and a paved patio at the front to soak up the aforementioned scenery. Worth seeking out. M

Fantastic place, but go sooner than later because it will change soon

Such a lovely owner, we had no bread as we are on holiday and he just gave us a loaf

Lovely ciabatta with a view. Hidden away up hill but comes with a great view over the hills worth the visit ...and the climb.

Great food reasonably priced. Staff very friendly.

Maybe the best trad pub in matlock, lots of locals, cosy atmosphere

The pub is great. The culture and ambiance is completely due to Pat, the current landlord, who is friendly and welcoming.

Pat and crew serve a warm welcome even if you have been a stranger for oh around 30 years ... .. ... ...

Cosy pub tucked away up the hills in Matlock. Greene King pub with a good selection of real ales. Friendly staff and locals. The terrace at the front is a great place to have a pint and watch the sun go down.

Great place,food brill, friendly, Fantastic views must be seen.

Fantastic views of Matlock from this lovely little bar. Great ales.

Love this place, however I'm biased as I know the landlord. What a local pub should be!!

Nice view. Vintage toilets. However unfriendly atmosphere and staff and no real interest in having us as customers.

Fabulous proper pub with real ale and good food. Superb choice of beers...why do I need to say more. Just visit it.....

Excellent traditional pub with stunning food , try the pies !,

Wonderful.... well worth the climb up the big hill. A must visit.

Very welcoming landlord. Food freshly prepared and great! Recommend a visit.

Another excellent pie ,good company and fine beer!

Loved the pub, loved the dogs in the pub, it really gives everything a bit of character! The service was great and everyone here is pretty friendly!

Totally amazing Sunday lunch and very very reasonably priced, will be returning 😋

If you advertise to close at 2, why did we waste an hours walk, when you were closed at 1-25?

Great place Nice view Great food

Lovely local, cosy, good beer. Sadly not food on Saturday when we visited.

Brilliant great atmosphere friendly folk yummy beer top landlord

JUST HAD ANOTHER WEEK IN THE COTTAGE NEXT-DOOR TO THE THORN TREE PUB IN MATLOCK. THE LANDLORD PAT AND ALL OF HIS STAFF IN THE PUB ARE REALLY WELCOMING. THE LOCAL S THAT USE IT ARE EXACTLY THE SAME . WE WERE THERE IN JULY AND AGAIN LAST WEEK.THE FOOD PAT COOKS IS EXCELLENT SUNDAY ROAST S TOP DRAW AND THE WEDNESDAY PIE NIGHT ARE BRILLIANT. THANKS TO PAT AND HIS STAFF ONCE AGAIN ,THE TWO GEODIE S KEN AND BRENDA .

Well what can I say!! After walking up what must have been a mile of hills we were treated to a fantastic welcome and beautiful pints of Bass. The locals were fantastic and when we left they gave us a little thorn tree momento. We will be back for sure !

Lovely friendly pub full of local people. Stayed at the cottage next door and the locals here are super friendly and chatty, it made me contemplate moving here. Plus the Sunday lunch is highly recommended. Outstanding food. Super dog friend also!

Found this pub mentioned in reviews while we were camping in the Matlock area. After a day at Chatsworth we wanted something with real local character and luckily it was a Wednesday night when they do food: pies to be precise. Not the easiest place to find, and sat nav led us a merry dance along steep narrow streets: but very friendly and welcoming when we located it and found a parking space. Simple fresh food: good choice of fillings, pastries and potatoes. Freshly assembled to order and tasty. But above all this was such a friendly local pub where people want to chat and smile and generally welcome visitors, no matter how busy this little place is. They also welcomed the dog, which is important when you are camping. Loved it and recommend it for a drink or a good straightforward meal at the times they do food.

Friendly with decent ales but doesn't serve food every day

Ruddy great! I'm a fat lad from Yorkshire and have in my time each en many a pie. These are banging, packed to the rafters with meaty filth. If I was a grizzly bear I could now easily hibernate until next Spring. Superb brown booze to wash it down as well.

Haven't been here for years. It's been done up a bit. New floors and a flower wall. Wednesday nights used to be pie nights but I think it varies now. Either way, that's the night to be there. I also enjoyed the selection of beer available.

Great quality beers in a traditional pub, outdoor patio splendid with views over Derwent Valley absolutely spectacular

Found this lovely little pub at the top of a very steep hill but worth the walk!views are great.staff are fab.we will be going again for Sunday lunch.

Arrived too late for lunch today but they were super accommodating and made a bowl of chips with our drinks. Very friendly and welcoming landlady , recommended!

Excellent pub lots of real ales, friendly staff and locals. Fantastic views. If you love beer and a traditional pub when in Matlock this is a must visit.

Lovely pub, fab views of Matlock, dog friendly as well - but.... 2 male bar staff with no people skills whatsoever. Service without a smile.

What a gem of a place on top of a hill. Sunday carvery is amazing, atmosphere great and views stunning. Highly recommend 👌

I have never enjoyed a pub so much in my entire life and I am 66. The Sunday lunch best ever had and I travel the country every week. Regulars so friendly and the ladies toilets are special. You have to come and visit if you do nothing else.

Went for a jaz round last night 21-04-22 to find a couple of pubs that we had not been to before. We found the Thorn Tree and were blown away by the view over the Matlock country side . Bar lady was very friendly and it's a place we will enjoy going to again xx. Dotty.

Fantastic food, can’t do enough for you. Always love going.

Great traditional pub. Great atmosphere. Great beer.

Great views from the terrace. Friendly local pub

Brilliant little pub great people all around