The Gate Inn, Matlock

An uninspiring exterior, evidently the subject of ongoing renovations, left us unprepared for the stylishly contrived interior, with its smart modern paintwork and décor. It was busier than we thought it would be, as the car park was not full. The garden is being redone, by the looks of things, and there's a patio or decking area for the warmer months. There were lots of family groups (it was Mothering Sunday when we were here) and people were being shown to a small table to have their drinks before a waitress collected them to take them to their dining table. We were on a walking tour (between the White Lion at Starkholmes and Stanley's Alehouse in the town), so were just stopping for a quiet half. There are four hand pumps on the lengthy bar, with Timothy Taylor Landlord, Sharps Doom Bar, Whim Arbour Light and Blue Monkey PG Sips, a moderately adventurous offering for a food-led country pub, I thought. The beer was ok, the service a little impersonal, with mostly young girls and no sign of a landlord or landlady - perhaps they were occupied elsewhere. Quite clearly a lot of money has been put into this place, though the pub sign is still the old John Smiths one, and judging by the trade we saw on an admittedly busy Sunday, they look to be doing very nicely.