The Boat Inn, Cromford

This image shows a Ploughman’s lunch served at the Boat Inn in Cromford. The meal is presented on a large white square plate, featuring chunks of yellow cheddar cheese, a couple of pickled onions, fresh baguette slices, and a small salad of leafy greens, diced tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Accompanying the dish are small pots of chutney and mustard. In the background, several other pub meals are visible, including bowls of thick-cut chips, a pint of beer, a glass of rosé wine, and other plates of food such as battered fish and peas. The table has a rustic, cozy pub atmosphere with wooden surfaces and dim lighting, creating a relaxed dining environment.

Ploughman’s Lunch at The Boat Inn, Cromford Reviewed

Location –
The Boat Inn

Scarthin, Cromford,
Matlock,
Derbyshire
DE4 3QF
01629 258083

Website – http://www.the-boat-inn.co.uk

Date of Visit – 25/03/2018

The Food

7 – Pickled Onion. It was a not unreasonable attempt at a pickled onion, and there were two of them, but there were issues.  The onions were a bit acidic and they were both impossibly tough.  The flavour was not too bad and good with the cheese, but it was just hard work.

8 – Pickle – Two varieties here, a Farmers Pickle (think Branston, but can’t call it that, because it wasn’t, but you know the stuff I mean) and a piccalilli. Both were good, but alas in paper thingies, not china thingies.  Still, not pre-packed, as now for me, plastic is an instant failure!

10 – Cheese / Ham – I do not think I have ever had so much cheese! Supposedly on a diet at the moment, and even after a 6-mile walk, I fear the cheese was my daily allowance of calories!  Sometimes more is more. Not being one to give up on things, the diet can wait until another day, and I was a trooper with the cheese and saw it through to the end. Smashing!

There is a choice of Cheddar, Stilton, Ham, Brie or goat’s cheese (I detest Goat’s cheese).  I plumped for the Cheddar, and it arrived en-masse on an industrial scale, and it was very, very nice.  Not artisan, definitely catering, however, very, very nice. Good work!

7 – Bread. Par baked baguette.  I know I should be a snob about this, but so often they’re rather nice: hot and steamy inside, crusty and crisp on the outside – delicious.  This was not, but it was a long distance from bad, entirely presentable and acceptable.

1 – Spread (better be butter or a choice).  Hmm.  It was what people call “Spread”, or in old money Margarine.  Under the new scoring system, it gets one point as in a paper thingy (rather than zero) rather than a plastic thingy.  but spread……  It did though, to be fair, spread, and it wasn’t offensive.

5 – Presentation – Oh, it was very, very nicely presented.  The food here is always excellent, and the scores above do not adequately represent this.  

5 – Salad, etc.  One of the freshest salads I have had for a while.  Nice and ripe tomatoes, which is not easy in March!

3 – Originality.  OK, there wasn’t anything imaginative about this, rather it was just a really good, solid ploughman’s Lunch. I have awarded extra points here for the cheese.  That’s all. There were at least 12 out of 10 points in cheese on the plate.  Hey, it’s my scoring system, so I can cheat occasionally. Do your own review.

Food Total: 46


A flat-lay view of a Ploughman’s lunch served at the Boat Inn in Cromford. The meal is arranged on a large white square plate, featuring generous wedges of cheddar cheese, two pickled onions, fresh baguette slices, and a side salad with leafy greens, diced tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion. Small pots of chutney and mustard add to the meal, with the bread and cheese providing the main focus. The plate is vibrant with colorful vegetables and a well-balanced presentation of classic Ploughman's elements. The rustic table and cozy pub atmosphere add to the charm.
Boat Inn Cromford Ploughmans Lunch flat lay

Beverages

10 – Lots of choice! There is always a great range of local beers available here. Highly recommended. I have never been at lunch, so do not know what the tea situation is, although it’s the sort of place where I expect they would rustle up a good pot.

Drinks Total: 10


The venue

10 – Service. The service here is always exceptional and excellent, even when it is really busy it is always under control and there seems to be a great many staff doing their thing. Good communication between customers, bar and kitchen at all times. How pubs should be run. Bravo!

10 – Atmosphere.  The atmosphere is amazing.  A place where many tourists and visitors go to eat and walkers pop in for a couple of pints. However, it is also a truly local pub and the heart of the community, where all are made to feel welcome. I could easily move to Cromford for the pub alone (well, and the fine views).

5 – Location. The location is beautiful, a great area for walking and exploring.  The pub is historic and quaint, with gardens and seating outside, a pond nearby, great views, and only a minute’s walk from Scarthin Books.  I insist you visit Scarthin Books – it’s legendary.

5 -Toilets.  Excellent. Always clean, always functional.

Venue total: 30

Total Score: 86


This image shows a Ploughman’s lunch served at the Boat Inn in Cromford. The meal is presented on a large white square plate, featuring chunks of yellow cheddar cheese, a couple of pickled onions, fresh baguette slices, and a small salad of leafy greens, diced tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion. Accompanying the dish are small pots of chutney and mustard. In the background, several other pub meals are visible, including bowls of thick-cut chips, a pint of beer, a glass of rosé wine, and other plates of food such as battered fish and peas. The table has a rustic, cozy pub atmosphere with wooden surfaces and dim lighting, creating a relaxed dining environment.
Boat Inn Cromford Ploughman’s Lunch

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