The Grouse & Claret, Matlock

If I hadn’t seen the review below I would have guessed this was a Marston’s new build food pub to go along with the Peaks Village Outlet Centre at the back of the pub. However the Grouse and Claret was formerly known as the Station Hotel and was built after the arrival of the railway to Rowsley in 1849 some 150 years before the Outlet centre. Nowadays it is a very smart Marston’s food led pub with the usual set up of one open plan space comprising of several separate areas radiating around the central bar, several clearly set up for dining and more resembling a restaurant, and then others having a much more pub lounge feel. Then there’s a very pleasant garden area out the back with a path connection to the Outlet Village. Three handpumps on the bar but only two in operation with Pedigree and a decent Hobgoblin Gold. Didn’t eat here so cannot pass comment on the food but as somewhere to grab a pint after you become bored with the Outlet Centre (something that happens very quickly due to its small size) it is perfectly fine.

The Grouse and Claret is a large stone built pub that is in the small village of Rowsley. Once inside it looked like the pub had been opened out into one very large room,the bar was facing and the room was carpeted throughout,the seating was mainly normal tables and chairs. When i went in this pub it was a Mansfield tied house and there were two real ales on the bar,i had a drink of Mansfield cask bitter and this was a very nice drink,the other beer was Pedigree. This is a food orientated pub but as a drinker i was made just as welcome. This is a pleasant pub to have something to eat and a drink in. Pub visited 22/4/2006

Official site of The Grouse & Claret, contains menus and wine list - www.grouseclaretpub.co.uk

Official site of The Grouse & Claret, contains menus and wine list - www.grouseclaretpub.co.uk