Peacock

Went with a party of 36 to The Peacock at lunchtime. It was apparent that extensive redecoration had taken place recently. The atmosphere was excellent, as was the food. Service could not have been better. The food was hot. Service continued at a good pace so no one was left waiting. This continued through all courses the waitress and waiter were polite and could not have been more helpful.

No one in our party had a bad word to say about the food or service.

Intend to return.

Visited the Peacock last night for a cosy meal for two and was very disappointed. All over the entrance it states home cooked food and dishes of the day from the blackboard, which was a curry!

When the dishes arrived it was clear this was not the case and on a par with every other large pub chain. Also, when asked about the chips and onion rings for sides they stated they were frozen. (I wish we had gone home at this point).

I had the chorizo chicken for £10.25, which was very over priced for what you got. The 3 courses for £12 looked good value for money, however again the food was run of the mill.

Another disappointment was that it promotes a cosy atmosphere with an open fire. We arrived at 7:30PM and by 8:30PM the fire was nearly out and the pub started to get cold. No one re-stoked the fire.

Our bill for 2 was £45 with drinks, certainly not worth the experience.

On a positive note the staff were friendly and attentive. Unfortunately we will not be back.

Peter (Chesterfield)

We use the Peacock fairly regularly and on most occasions have been very satisfied. Only once when the place was very crowded did we have to wait an age before being served.

Generally the food quality is good if not spectacular.

Just returned this evening after a single main course meal that was good.

From the outside the building looks beautiful and it has fantastic views when sitting outside. The inside of the building is also very nice and homely and clean. However, the food really doesn't live up to expectations.

The menu reads very nicely and you conjure up an image of what you think it may resemble when it arrives at the table. When the food came it was so very disappointing. The starter of "roasted field mushrooms with camembert and a garlic breadcrumb crust" was in fact 2 soggy breakfast mushrooms with hardly any cheese on, and only one of them was sprinkled with the breadcrumbs. The cost - £4.40! They did remove them from the bill after complaining.

The mains were very poor, too. Mixed grill was rubbery and the fried egg was not runny and flowing into your steaks, it was hard as if it had been made earlier then re-heated. The Moroccan spiced lamb burger had no inkling of spice, was served between 2 pieces of flatbread about 3" x 5" and a bowl of sweet potato wedges, now the funny bit - £8.80!

I would go in for a drink and to enjoy the scenery, but would certainly not eat in there again.

We had an anniversary meal for my parents 40th on Sunday. The food was the best I have had for a long time - a class above to the normal pub meals.

Unfortunately they messed up the bill and we got charged £10 more than we should have.

They have a great 3 course for £11 deal but they didn't mark this down when they took our order. it was a shame but it didn't detract from the great food.

We have always heard that the Peacock at Owler Bar had a great reputation for food and decided to call in for Sunday lunch late in the afternoon.

Whilst busy, it wasn't necessary to book a table and the atmosphere is homely and welcoming. We looked at the extensive menu and the specials board, facing a staggering choice of courses. Disappointingly though, the two main courses we wanted to order from the specials board were no longer available, so we had to sit and rethink our order.

Starters were a little on the pricey side for what they were; my pate dish came with 1 slice of toast cut into quarters and my partner's crostini choice was equally on the small side. At £4 plus each, we thought they could have been more generous with the portion size (and we do not expect huge portions). However, the quality was fantastic.

Our lamb dishes for main (£13 + each) were lovely, with sweet potato and crunchy mange tout rather than the usual veg selection.

However, the last course let the whole meal down. Being cheese fans we both ordered the cheese board (approx £5 each). The miniscule cheese portion given was a complete rip off, especially as the whole dish was fridge cold; a one inch cube each of hard unripe brie, stilton and cheddar. It was served with more crackers than you possibly had cheese for, half an apple and a few grapes; we felt to bulk up the plate. We spent the last half hour of our meal making jokes about it. For that price I expect it to be a cheese board, not a cheese saucer and to be able to taste it.

With drinks the whole meal came to above £60. The service was fantastic, a wide range of drinks are served, but unfortunately I feel the meal was priced above what it should be for what was delivered. We will return, but stick to a main course only as it seemed the only one providing true value for money.

The Peacock, a popular pub located at Owler Bar in North Derbyshire, is set to close temporarily as it undergoes a £350,000 refurbishment. The venue, which offers breathtaking views of the Peak District, has recently come under new ownership by Longbow Venues, a company steadily expanding its portfolio of premium establishments.

Built in the 19th century by the Duke of Rutland, The Peacock is a grade II listed building that once served weary travellers on the old turnpike road to Chatsworth House and Bakewell. Now, under the stewardship of Longbow Venues, the pub is set for a modern transformation while retaining its historic charm.

Rob Hattersley, founder of Longbow Venues, shared his vision for the pub:

"The Peacock commands what must be the best pub views in the area, surrounded by the Peak District countryside. Whether you're walking, driving, or cycling, you see it and it's almost like a mirage, set against the rugged landscape."

The refurbishment will include the addition of a new outdoor seating area, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the pub's stunning surroundings. Inside, the focus will be on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere, with attention to comfort and quality.

Hattersley elaborated:

"Everything we have planned for The Peacock is about providing our guests with a premium pub experience. It's about warmth, joy, cosiness, seasonal dishes that feel special but aren't at all fussy or overcomplicated."

Executive chef Adrian Gagea, trained under renowned chef Raymond Blanc, will lead the culinary direction. The menu promises to blend pub classics with a contemporary twist, incorporating global inspirations and seasonal ingredients sourced from local farms and artisan producers.

The revamped Peacock will cater for 130 diners, offering a dining experience that is both diverse and grounded in the best local produce.

The refurbishment is expected to be completed in time for a grand reopening before Christmas 2024. Once reopened, The Peacock will operate daily from 11am to 11pm.

The pub, previously managed by Chef & Brewer, will officially close its doors on 18th November, as it transitions into its new chapter under Longbow Venues.