The Dore Moor Inn is a very well known Public House in Sheffield. It sits high above the Western fringe of the City and was originally an old Stagecoach Inn. Beyond here the Hathersage Road (A625) continues on into the Peak District National Park and towards Castleton.
The original Inn was built during the 18th century and became a popular stopover place for the Stagecoaches travelling between Sheffield and Manchester. Back in those days this place was called the DevonshireArms, due to its association with the Duke of Devonshire who
owned the majority of the land in this area.
In 1821 a meeting took place at this Inn in which the Dore Old School Board of Trustees hired Richard Furness as Master. Richard Furness became a very well known and respected English Poet, earning himself the title, Poet of Eyam, due to the many Poems that he wrote about that Village.
By 1906 the Devonshire Arms had changed its name to the Dore Moor Inn, taking its new name from the nearby Village of Dore, which is now incorporated within the City of Sheffield.
For as long as I can remember the Dore Moor Inn always had a reputation of a typical, traditional, Country Pub with breathtaking views, burning log fires and home-cooked food. Needless to say a trip out here when I was a Child was always something of a treat.
Then in 1998 something terrible happened to the Dore Moor Inn. It was purchased by Vintage Inns, who spent £1.2 million revamping it. This renovation completely gutted the original building and transformed it into the nondescript establishment that we see today, which is clearly aimed at the motorised tourist. The ramblers and dog walkers who had been the life-line of this place for decades were banished and the sign above the doorway now reads: "Dogs and muddy boots are not allowed!"
There was always a large Car Park adjacent to this Pub, but its revamp saw this parking area more or less triple in size. There is now also a small Children's play area outside with wooden climbing frames and tree bark on the floor.
I visited this place a few weeks ago for Sunday Lunch and my initial feeling as I walked through the door was one of shock. I had promised my friend a traditional Sunday Lunch in a nice Country Pub, and it seemed like I had brought her to something that could have quite easily have been a part of the Beefeater or Harvester Pub Chain.
The tables were crammed into every single available space. The place that I recalled with three separate intimate rooms, each with its own log burning fire was gone. Instead we found a single, large open plan area with cheap wooden tables.
Had we not pre-booked our Lunch then I am sure that we would have gone elsewhere but since we had we found a table in a corner. The place was crammed and there seemed to be kids running about everywhere.
I usually prefer to order my drinks at the Bar but before we were even seated a waiter was hovering around us to take our order. We both ordered Pepsi's at £1.45 each, without Ice. We also ordered our main Lunches at the same time. I chose Pork my friend opted for Beef. All Sunday Lunches are a set price at £7.95 each.
The drinks came quickly and the food arrived after about ten minutes. This was much quicker than I was expecting considering how busy it was.
Despite my disappointment on arrival the food itself was cooked to perfection and very nice. We were asked if we had any special requests and we were brought an extra gravy boat without any fuss.
On Sundays the standard menu that is served Monday through to Saturday is not available but there is a Vegetarian option available on a Sunday.
I had no problem with the quality of the food or the service. The main fault that I found was in the total lack of any atmosphere. The amount of Children that seemed to be running around unsupervised was another problem. For these reasons this is not a place that I would recommend to others or consider coming back to again.
Should you however wish to give it the benefit of the doubt then it is located at the address below:
The Dore Moor Inn Hathersage Rd Dore Sheffield South Yorkshire S17 3AB
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Apr 10th, 2007
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