Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to Main Content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Derbyshire
  4. Ashbourne
  5. Ashbourne

The Duncombe Arms

4.5
4.5
1771 Reviews
£26 to £40
British
The Duncombe Arms is a beautiful, traditional country pub situated at the heart of the lovely rural village of Ellastone on the Staffordshire / Derbyshire border. Located on the edge of the Peak District near the towns of Ashbourne and Uttoxeter it is a great place to visit providing a delightful setting in which to enjoy a drink, some lovely food, as well as a chat with friends or family.

Come inside and enjoy a roaring log fire, sample our excellent range of beers and wines or enjoy fabulous food from our award-winning chef Jake Boyce. Or in the summer you can laze in our large garden overlooking the view to Worthy Island Wood.

Make a reservation

2 people

11:00 PM


Booked 42 times today

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Cuisines

    British, European, Gastro Pub

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–5:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 6:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 6:00 pm–10:30 pm Sun 6:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Phone number

    01335 324275

  • Payment options

    MasterCard, Visa

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Executive chef

    Jake Boyce

  • Neighborhood

    Ashbourne

  • Cross street

    MAIN ROAD ELLASTONE DE6 2GZ

  • Parking details

    Private Lot

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card

What 1,771 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Derbyshire

    Best Food

  • Derbyshire

    Best Ambiance

  • Derbyshire

    Good for business meals

  • Derbyshire

    Good for business meals

  • Derbyshire

    Neighborhood gem

  • Derbyshire

    Great for fine wines

  • Derbyshire

    Romantic

  • Derbyshire

    Good for special occasions

  • Derbyshire

    Lively

  • Derbyshire

    Most Booked

Sort by

  1. JennaB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 1 day ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food and service, fantastic atmosphere. Would highly recommend!
  2. Afar

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall3food2service2ambience2
    Disappointed with Sunday lunch and wouldn't rush to go back
  3. LisaB

    Cheshire

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Our 3rd visit this year and it was excellent again! Highly recommend the Sunday lunch, local ingredients, cooked to perfection! The tarte tatin is the best dessert I have ever eaten, an absolute must! Beautiful layout both inside & out, the staff are all professional, ever changing menu, great wines & cocktails. Already excited for my next visit.
  4. SueC

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined 6 days ago

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A gorgeous place for lunch. We drove 45 minutes to the Duncombe Arms. Service was impeccable. Food was well presented and properly cooked. Three courses. We were shown to a table in the garden room. We had ordered the sun specially!! A gem of a place with a good carpark too. Thank you for making our day.
  5. CatherineH

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 21, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Beautiful meal in lovely surroundings. Staff very efficient & attentive.
  6. LB23

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall3food3service2ambience5
    Over rated and over priced. Food was presented very well but was nothing special, overpriced compared to similar establishments Service was very poor, we were seated at the table and then ignored, had to ask for drinks. We ordered wine before the main meal but the meal arrived and no wine ! We asked again half way through eating, waitress chased it to be told the wine was was out of stock which by this time we had nearly finished the food. Overall nice setting, nice presentation, staff need more training, there are better places to eat.
  7. martina

    Leicestershire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    Superb meal with excellent service in lovely surroundings
  8. KathrynA

    Warwickshire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 20, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    Beautiful setting and loved sitting in the indoor/outdoor setting. Service was good generally but waited quite a while to start off with. Food was good. It was of a high standard but lacking a few touches e.g. I had fish on the bone and was given a steak knife to tackle it with. Fortunately I love fish on the bone but if a member of staff had come to check everything was ok, I would have asked for a fish knife! The rosé wine I ordered was delicious.
  9. HannahS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience4
    The lamb main was abolsutely delicious and the chocolate mousse pudding was beautiful! Friendly and helpful staff.
  10. Rickardo

    Worcestershire

    4 reviews

    3.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on May 18, 2023

    overall3food3service4ambience3
    Nice location. We ate inside an early sitting at 18:00. Pleasant staff although some could benefit from some training on how to clear plates away! Standing in front of customers whilst scraping left over food onto one plate is not good. Personally, I think it's over priced. Both starters good, I had chicken pie for my main at £19, nothing exceptional. Would I go again? Probably not, certainly not in the evening but may try their Sunday lunch. Wine was excellent.
  11. AlysonK

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 16, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An enjoyable reunion lunch with friends. Good service and ambience at Duncombe Arms. Would definitely return.
  12. MarkG

    Cheshire

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall4food3service4ambience4
    An interesting experience at The Duncombe Arms. Started excellently with wonderful staff greeting us and making us feel very welcome. Offered drinks, menus and accommodated us warmly. Good ambience, good selection of drinks which were swiftly dispensed. Small hiccup with a chef who didn't want to permit a small starter change between main menu and the daily menu (even though same price). Manager sorted straight away which was great. Menu is really good with a great and varied selection of all sorts from the expected to the unusual. We ordered mackerel tartar (excellent) and tomatoes, ewes curd on sourdough. Tomatoes and curd (also excellent, though sourdough stale) For mains, we both had minute steak. One was excellent, just as you would expect. The other was poor. over a third of it was pure gristle, almost impossible to cut and inedible. On querying this and sending it back. We were told this was the only complaint about a steak all weekend (it was Monday lunchtime now), the chef has examined it and he was more than happy with what he had sent out!!! The service charge was removed from our bill, but the steak remained. When I questioned it, the manager doubled down and said the steak was good enough. ( I am still not sure he had seen it). We paid and left. Reflections Eating on a Monday can be a gamble if they haven't had fresh delivery and using up weekend food. The chef has too much control and cannot acknowledge a mistake or a poor meal (arrogance or too busy, who knows?). Looking at other reviews after the event, I can see a theme.... Manager who blindly backed up the chef which is not a good way to run a place like this Overall, a great place, good ambience, mostly amazing, friendly staff, tasty food from a creative menu and I would recommend it to others. Watch out for Mondays and the steak though!
  13. JudithL

    London

    2 reviews

    4.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 15, 2023

    overall4food3service5ambience4
    Lovely setting. Food was good not outstanding. It was a Monday and dishes were not exactly as described in the menu. Some of us had fish and chips- slightly over-cooked. Desserts excellent.
  14. LaurenB

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food, great atmosphere and staff are so friendly and helpful.
  15. Charlie

    Hertfordshire

    7 reviews

    5.0

    7 reviews

    Dined on May 14, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Food was excellent as usual and we were also able to charge the car whilst enjoying out lunch. Thank you.
  16. AllyDee

    Manchester

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 13, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a great lunch sat outside in the sun. Staff were warm and friendly , food was delicious and the venue is beautiful. Our first visit though will not be our last!
  17. NicolaJ

    Derbyshire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    An absolutely fabulous experience. Food, ambience & service were all outstanding. Will definitely return
  18. MelP

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 12, 2023

    overall5food4service4ambience5
    Wonderful. Highly recommend. Lovely surroundings, great food and good service. Would def go back.
  19. Rosemary

    London

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on May 8, 2023

    overall5food5service4ambience3
    On our 2 visits the 1st was a very busy Sat eve when we were sat on the table near the bar as we were 4 plus a dog. This was cramped as the bar was packed very noisy and the 2 of us on the bar side were knocked and jostled repeatedly. The staff could hardly get through as with a full bar the table is too wide. The food was, however, extremely good. On the 2nd visit where there were just 2 of us we had a lovely table and as it was much quieter the service was impeccable and again the food was top notch. We would highly recommend the pub but suggest that the table near the bar is not really suitable for 4 people eating on a busy night with or without a dog. A smaller table for 2 would be enough.
  20. RyanT

    Manchester

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Amazing food and service.. 5*….my partner was 30mins late…no trouble whatsoever for them. Will be back soon
  21. OpenTable Diner

    Manchester

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 6, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Fantastic food, great atmosphere, brilliant service.
  22. Gardenia

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 5, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Outstanding food, service and ambiance. Varied and delicious menu.
  23. ChrisS

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 4, 2023

    overall4food4service4ambience5
    Overall a very good experience. Only criticism is I thought the wait for starters was too long. Maybe partly our fault that our party was not quite ready to go to table when initially invited.
  24. stephen

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great food, great place and lovely hands on staff.
  25. Eknt

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 2, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Great value for money, tasty food and not too many options (which is good if, like me, you struggle to choose!)
  26. Bernie

    Derbyshire

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience4
    The level of cooking has deteriorated since last visit. Composition of dishes is not good for the prices charged. Service is ok but not customet friendly. Will not return which is a shame as location is good.
  27. melb

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on May 1, 2023

    overall2food2service3ambience3
    The standard of food was very average. We had to send both main meals back due to temperature and one containing meat not made clear on the menu. The cost of the main meals does not reflect the standard it should for that pricing
  28. GerardM

    Derbyshire

    4 reviews

    5.0

    4 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    The atmosphere was warm and friendly, the staff helpful and attentive and all the courses were extremely tasty. What more could you want !
  29. DavidB

    Hampshire

    2 reviews

    vip
    3.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall3food5service5ambience1
    My wife asked me to make sure that I had my hearing aids in so we could have a good conversation I put them in but when we sat down we were drowned out by piped music This music is set by the staff at a volume determined by the staff and for the benefit of the staff Please ask your customers
  30. DSL1

    London

    6 reviews

    4.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 30, 2023

    overall4food5service3ambience3
    Beautiful pub with great decor. Food was excellent. The only minor downside (which won't stop us going back there) was that we had to chase up the waiting staff a couple of times and one of the drinks we ordered wasn't provided and that had to be chased as well. It wasn't particularly cold outside (last day of April) but we were sat in a small room with a roaring fire which was a bit hot when you are eating a hot meal as well. As I said, overall pretty good and we will be going back as it's the 2nd time we have been and the first time was faultless so we are hoping this was just a blip.
  31. NicolaS

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    This is our 1st visit. We weren’t disappointed at all. The outside was beautiful and well set out. The inside was amazing and the staff were excellent. We had an evening meal that was very special. I will recommend the establishment to all my friends.
  32. AnthonyT

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 29, 2023

    overall3food4service3ambience4
    We have eaten here five or six times previously and have been completely happy. On our recent visit (29th April, 1pm table) the lamb was tougher than I expected and the overall service was slower than on previous occassions. Although not up to my expecttions this will not deter me from eating at Duncome Arms in the future
  33. KevinH

    Derbyshire

    11 reviews

    4.0

    11 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience5
    We are neither regular nor irregular visitors and have always rated The Duncombe very highly. This visit was the first time I have left a little disappointed, whilst the service was excellent, the food was ‘ok’ rather than outstanding. If you also take into account the price I feel this was not great VFM. I realise all costs have increased, but the food should also be at least as good and on this occasion the portions and tastes did not reflect the price.
  34. maureenhMo

    Derbyshire

    3 reviews

    5.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 28, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    You always made to feel so welcome, and like it’s always a special treat the staff are friendly and warm and very caring
  35. JudyP

    London

    6 reviews

    5.0

    6 reviews

    Dined on April 27, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Went last night. Great place, food and super staff. I can recommend anything from the menu but the lamb and raspberry soufflé were first rate. £60 a head for 3 courses and wine.
  36. VanessaJ

    Derbyshire

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    Lovely food and service was great. We will be going again. Thank you
  37. Pearlie

    Birmingham

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 22, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    Service was excellent Food excellent quality and nicely presented
  38. Jezlough

    Hampshire

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on April 21, 2023

    overall4food4service5ambience4
    This was the first time we had visited for quite a number of years, even though we live relatively local. The service was excellent, and the food was very good, I would certainly recommend the rib-eye steak and the cheese board. There was a great selection of wines and a nice list of cocktails. I would recommend the French Martini and Espresso Martini cocktails. Overall, a very pleasant evening and we will be visiting again.
  39. MichaelT

    London

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on April 19, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    A fantastic experience at The Duncombe Arms. Would highly recommend. Cosy atmosphere with very polite and engaging staff. Food was absolutely top draw. Really enjoyed the evening and would return in a heartbeat. An absolute must if you're near Derby or passing.
  40. PamD

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on April 17, 2023

    overall5food5service5ambience5
    We had a lovely meal celebrating my husband’s 70th birthday. Food was excellent and the accommodation outstanding. The nicest room we have ever stayed in, the decor was so nice. Would recommend staying here.

Safety precautions

  • Cleaning & sanitizing

    • Surfaces sanitized between seatings
    • Digital, disposable or sanitized menu provided
    • Common areas deep-cleaned daily
    • Sanitizer or wipes provided for customers
    • Contactless payment available
  • Physical distancing

    • Limited number of seated diners
    • Distancing maintained in common areas
    • Extra space between tables
  • Screening

    • Sick staff prohibited in the workplace

FAQs

The Duncombe Arms is rated 4.5 stars by 1771 OpenTable diners.

The Duncombe Arms does offer gift cards which you can purchase here.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

11:00 PM


Booked 42 times today
Google Map for The Duncombe Arms

The Duncombe Arms, Ashbourne, Derbyshire DE6 2GZ

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street

    MAIN ROAD ELLASTONE DE6 2GZ

  • Neighborhood

    Ashbourne

  • Hours of operation

    Lunch Mon–Fri 12:00 pm–2:30 pm Sat, Sun 12:00 pm–5:45 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 6:00 pm–9:30 pm Fri, Sat 6:00 pm–10:30 pm Sun 6:00 pm–9:00 pm

  • Cuisines

    British, European, Gastro Pub

  • Dining style

    Casual Elegant

  • Dress code

    Casual Dress

  • Parking details

    Private Lot

  • Payment options

    MasterCard, Visa

  • Executive chef

    Jake Boyce

  • Additional

    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, Cocktails, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, View, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Gift card

Gift card

Send gift cards instantly by email or print to present in person.

Send a gift card
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2023 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
Rentalcars Logo
OpenTable Logo