The Village Inn Marehay

Someone from this business manages this listing.

#6 of 39 Restaurants in RipleyBar, Pizza, ££ - £££

What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

The Village Inn Marehay

Review

At a glance

Closed now

See all hours

Website

+44 1773 743970Improve this listing

About

Restaurant and Freehouse - Booking in advance essential. We offer a range of freshly prepared meals from our Evening menu plus the addition of freshly prepared wood fired pizzas. All menus are subject to change and may be viewed on our website. Separate Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten Free menus are available. All current menus Wednesday to Saturday from 5.00pm. On Sunday we offer a Carvery roast meal from 12.00 - 2.30pm. Please call to make a booking.

Features

CUISINES

Bar, Pizza, International, British

Meal types

Dinner, Drinks

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

FEATURES

Accepts Credit Cards

Free off-street parking

Free Wifi

Full Bar

Gift Cards Available

Highchairs Available

Mastercard

Outdoor Seating

Parking Available

Reservations

Seating

Serves Alcohol

Table Service

Takeout

Visa

Wheelchair Accessible

Location

51 Upper Marehay Road Marehay, Ripley DE5 8JF England

Free off-street parking, Parking Available

Is this restaurant good for business meetings?

Yes

Unsure

Save this restaurant

Hours

Suggest an edit

Closed now

• Opens at 5:00 PM

Sunday

12:00 - 23:00

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

17:00 - 23:00

Thursday

17:00 - 23:00

Friday

17:00 - 23:00

Saturday

17:00 - 23:00

Contribute

Write a review

Upload a photo

Ask a question

We perform checks on reviews.

Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews

Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.

When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.

Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.

Learn more about our review moderation.

4.4

180 reviews

Excellent

121

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

The Codnor Traveller

Codnor238 contributions

Very good. Will come again.

Dec 2024 • business

A very characterful pub tucked away down a dead end road in the little village of Marehay. I came here as part of a very specific group of people for whom the pub was opened especially, for this was a Monday night, and this pub is closed on a Monday and Tuesday. It's worth bearing that in mind. The reason they opened is because we booked to dine, and the kitchen was opened to accommodate us, and staff laid on to serve and man the bar etc. They deserve great credit for doing this. Incidentally, there was a very impressive selection of drinks for one to choose from. The food we enjoyed was delicious. The Beef bourguignon particularly stands out in my memory. It was very good. There is a decent sized car park across the (narrow) road from the pub. You shouldn't have any difficulty getting parked. I'd like to return here on a night where not only a specific group of people are in the pub. I'd like to see it on a regular Saturday night for example, and I think I shall do so. Based on the Beef bourguignon alone, I'd suggest you do the same.

Written 30 December 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Frances K

Holbrook14 contributions

A brilliant Birthday do

Feb 2024 • family

We just celebrated my Dad’s 80th Birthday with a party here and from the moment I first made contact with Sarah and the team at the Village Inn, I knew I’d made the right choice of venue as they were accommodating & attentive from the beginning. Nothing was too much trouble for them and every request I made was delivered with a smile by a fabulous and friendly team who came in at a time that the pub doesn’t usually open in order to deliver this do for my Dad. They let me move the furniture around and helped me to decorate the pub before the party started and were on hand to respond to any guests requests once it had. The homemade food on a personally curated menu was absolutely delicious and every single one of the 30 + guests who attended has said how much they enjoyed it too. Some have already been back to eat a meal there and many more have said that they will do so in the future as will we. Thankyou very much for making a special occasion even more special for us.

Written 10 March 2024

MillwallSteve

Hornchurch574 contributions

Never lets us down

Jul 2023 • family

Our 2nd visit to this restaurant and again, absolutely excellent. Its not often I can eat a whole pizza but seeing them freshly cooked in from you is excellent and they are so light. My son had the haddock and chips and that was huge. look forward to coming again

Written 9 July 2023

Philip Barnaville

Thank you Steve for your positive review

Written 22 August 2023

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

barbara b

Sheffield3 contributions

Very disappointing.

Dec 2024 • family

Good food, terrible service. Waiting ages to have our order taken, bar staff ignored us with an empty bar and two idle watching us. Food readiness took a long time, lots of waiters all seeming uninterested. Very poor. I felt as if there was no manager to manage them..maybe they were ill? But their training etc should prepare them for such. Been going for years now but not anymore.

Written 28 December 2024

Roland T

Norwich258 contributions

Abyssmal service

Sept 2022 • none

I booked a table for 7.00 pm by telephone. When we arrived at 6.45, we were told they had 7.30 in their records. Assured this would cause no problems. We were handed menus at the bar and told a member of staff would come to our table to take the order. Well we waited, and waited until in the end, about 7.00, I went to the bar to order two starters and two mains. At about 7.20, one starter arrived, but was told the second had not been processed. Another wait, at at abour 7.30 both starters arrived. We were then abandoned as no one came to collect the plates etc., until we managed to call a member of staff. Finally, now just before 8.00, surprise, surprise, only one main course arrived. When asked 'where is the other' the response was it was being plated up. This then arrived after a further wait, but the chips were missing. At this stage I asked to speak to the manager, who was doubling up as the chef. This of course delayed her arrival. I recounted our experiences and the number one excuse was 'we were very busy'. So to help this business, I suggest no one visits, and anyone who risks coming may get a proper service. Apologies were made.

Written 9 October 2022

Martin F

10 contributions

Perfect

Feb 2025 • family

Easy to book. Spacious seating area and comfortable. Parking just across the road. The service and quality of food is very good indeed. We all had roast beef carvery but the other meats on offer looked equally delicious to the perfectly cooked and tender roast beef. The mashed potatoes were stunning. Likewise the jug of gravy provided to the table. We had a bottle of wine but there was a good selection of beers and lagers on offer. Highly recommend and we will definitely return.

Written 7 March 2025

Debbie C

Bristol102 contributions

Wonderful Food & Staff

Jul 2022 • family

I organised a family Sunday carvery for the end of July this year. My large extended family & I were staying locally on a week’s holiday. I contacted Sarah (one of the owners) a few weeks in advance especially because our group consisted of 11 adults, 6 children aged 4-9 and a 14 month old toddler. From the moment we arrived in the spacious dining area, we were met by helpful, friendly staff. Every member of our group (there are some fussy eaters among them) were so impressed with the standard of the food as it was very fresh, tasty & plenty of it. Let’s put it this way…..every plate was empty when they were collected. If I could have scored this beyond 5 stars I would. A big thank to Sarah & her staff for making our day so special! Debbie & family

Written 10 August 2022

Philip B

Thank you so much for this excellent review. I will certainly pass on your comments to Sarah and all our staff

Written 12 August 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Anne L

7 contributions

Friday night post lockdown

Jul 2020 • friends

This was our first meal out after lockdown which we thoroughly enjoyed with my mum and dad. As regulars, we were warmly welcomed by the staff and owner who wore masks/visors. In spite of social distancing restrictions, the revamped bar and redecorated room looked great. The menu was slightly restricted but the food was delicious as usual and we thoroughly enjoyed our evening out. Thank you Phil and team, we’ll be back soon.

Written 27 July 2020

PhilBarnaville

Thank you Anne for this very positive review

Written 28 July 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Jo_B4m

1 contribution

INCREDIBLE - HIGHLY RECOMMEND!

Aug 2020 • friends

This was our first visit to a pub/restaurant since lockdown and the experience was incredible. It felt so safe, the situation was managed so professionally and everything was thought through. The owner and staff are amazing, excellent customer service and couldn’t do enough for us. We have gluten and dairy intolerances and were fully accommodated, nothing was too much trouble. The food was delicious and the pub atmosphere was so welcoming. Live music was great! Highly recommend! Thank you for looking after us :)

Written 9 August 2020

PhilBarnaville

Thank you Jo for taking the time to review. It was great to see you all again and the outdoor music was no less impressive. I will certainly pass on your positive comments

Written 10 August 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

idle-traveller

Derby38 contributions

Off the beaten track

Feb 2022 • couples

We called her last week as we had heard about the pizzas, and boy we were not disappointed. They were delicious, and to learn they do takeaway to is great too. We enjoyed it so much, Lisa and I visited the next day for the Sunday carvery, once again this was delicious. The real ale i was served was also kept at a high quality I think we might be visiting alot more in the future

Written 22 February 2022

Phil Barnaville

Thank you for your very positive review. Welcome to Marehay

Written 25 February 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Andy G

Oxford11 contributions

Lovely meal, good value

Jun 2021 • none

We dined at the Village Inn last Saturday and really enjoyed the experience. The food was delicious - I had the braised steak and my wife had a Mediterranean Tart. We had lovely starters too so no room for desserts. There was a good choice of beers and I enjoyed the ‘22’. We enjoyed watching the chefs making the pizzas that looked good. All In for c£37 which is a lot better than the Oxfordshire prices we are used to. Definitely recommended.

Written 24 June 2021

Phil Barnaville

Thank you for your positive review. Delighted you enjoyed the visit.

Written 4 July 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Lauren J

3 contributions

Excellent food pitty about the owner attitude

Jul 2020 • family

First meal out after lock down, went to the VIllage Inn With the family Five children in total only people in the restaurant and a couple of ppl other side of bar. Kids were chatting away when the owner/ manager walks past the kids table and snarls stop the noise. Nothing was said to the adults and the manner he said it was nasty this one act of poor customer service ruined our evening. The food was amazing and the young staff were professional smiling and worked hard. Their is a way to speak to children ranging from 4 to 7 and this is not it. If you do not want families in don’t put a children’s menu on. The kids sat down didn’t walk around and were chatting nothing extreme. In future I will Spend my hard earned cash as a keyworker where my children are welcomed and not made to feel like an inconvenience. The owner enjoyed the money we spent but not us being there. Let me point out other tables were as loud as I could hear them too. The bathroom System was chaos as well. NOT FAMILY FRIENDLY

Written 25 July 2020

PhilBarnaville

It is always difficult to respond to a review such as this. In my experience as a retired Deputy Head with 20 years of teaching experience people never tell lies but always tell their version of the truth. In truth the group numbered 11 with the children and one teenager on one table and the adults on another. I approached from the kitchen because of comments about the level of noise and the apparent lack of adult supervision. It was reported to me by staff that one child had banged their head under the table. The interaction was very brief as I addressed the whole group with a request to lower the level of noise with hand gestures and a verbal request. No complaint or approach was made on the evening in relation to this supposed grievance. Sorry if you felt this was anti family which we are not. These are difficult times for our sector and we have made every effort to follow guidance as to noise levels in the restaurant as well as protocols to keep our staff and customers safe

Written 26 July 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

LeeTaylor58

Coventry38 contributions

Homemade Pizza cooked in a traditional Pizza oven

Feb 2020 • none

We found this pub through trip advisor. We had been out for the day and were staying in Matlock. Enough room to park in the car park very clean pub and great beer. We all had pizza that were handmade. Would recommend this place. It was busy I would recommend booking a table. Pizzas are fantastic the kids were fascinated to watch their pizzas cooked in front of them.

Written 2 February 2020

PhilBarnaville

Thank you very much for your excellent comments. We try to please

Written 3 February 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

beatie

2 contributions

Excellent evening meal

Sept 2020 • none

We were visiting the Derbyshire Dales and it was our first visit to The Village Inn. The food quality and value was excellent. The service was very good as was the attention to covid rules. Most of us ordered pizza which was excellent. The braised steak and vegetables were cooked beautifully.

Written 28 September 2020

PhilBarnaville

Thank you for your excellent review. In these difficult times it really helps to get positive comments

Written 30 September 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Diturner1

Ripley29 contributions

Birthday Bash

Feb 2022 • family

We organised a birthday Sunday lunch for x17 people. Staff were all very friendly & great service. We all had starters which were lovely followed by mains. Absolutely loved it huge thanks to Phil, Sarah & their team. Highly recommended.

Written 21 March 2022

Phil Barnaville

Thank you Diane for this excellent review. Always welcome

Written 28 March 2022

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.