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Chat about:
Disappearing and 'in peril' breweries with Wittenden
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Tuesday, 14th November 2017
With picture contributions to 11562 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (7 more images)
Detail Pages
The Barley Mow Inn, Ashbourne
Kirk Ireton
Postal town: Ashbourne
DE6 3JP
Served areas
Reviews of The Barley Mow Inn (Average Rating: 10 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about The Barley Mow
Worth every ounce of energy expended to get me here on my bike before the 2pm afternoon close. Just one other customer, who's been coming here man and boy for more than 40 years, although he now lives a few miles away rather than in the village; he can remember the previous landlady, Lillian Ford, refusing to take decimal coinage long after it had been introduced in 1971. The present landlady, who keeps fit by popping down to the cellar to fill a jug with Whim Hartington IPA, is only the 12th licensee since 1753, according to a list on the wall. Three walkers turned up, and they also went for the IPA - despite the presence of four more beers and a cider on the stillage behind the bar. (Blue Monkey 99 Red Baboons, Storm Silk of Amnesia, Derby Business As Usual and Ashford Maple Rye.) The beer was brought up in a plastic jug and poured into glass tankards - mine was a Ravenhead exactly like one I've owned myself for 30 years or more. And the beer was in outstandingly good condition: absolute nectar.
The pub has several rooms (see photos) and although the furniture is not original - that was all sold in 1976 after the death of Mrs Ford - it looks as though it could have been and after 40 years, it quite clearly belongs anyway. The building is Grade II* listed and although it hasn't made it into Camra's national inventory, it is listed as one of their regionally important historic interiors. I normally only drink a half per pub when I'm cycling, but was happy to drink a pint of excellent beer in superb surroundings and in friendly company. There's a real fire, too. I don't award many tens - this one deserves an eleven. You can bet I'll be back.
On 14th November 2017
- rating: 10
[User has posted 3733 recommendations about 3470 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alfie Aleswigger left this review about The Barley Mow
An excellent example of a true rural village pub. Squeeze through the tiny old doorways into an olde worlde bar area heated by an open fire. Has a small old fashioned parlour down the hall. 6 local real ales are served from a jug the good old way into handled glass tankards through a serving hatch. I think the only addition to the pub in the last 400 years is electricity! The landlady and I presume her daughter are friendly and welcoming. Only serve sarnies, but what more do you want with a pint after a stroll in the beautiful surrounding area. Dogs are welcome in the bar. My wife thought it looked like a haunted house, which added more to the appeal. Very delightful, quirky pub indeed.
On 7th March 2009
- rating: 10
[User has posted 46 recommendations about 44 pubs]
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of The Barley Mow Inn - thebarleymowinn.co.uk
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Barley Mow Inn - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 07 March 2009 by hondo .
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 07 March 2009 by hondo .
