The Temple Hotel and Restaurant

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Address: The Temple Hotel & Restaurant Temple Walk Town: Matlock Bath Postcode: DE4 3PG Telephone: 01629 583911 Email: To e-mail this business please click here Website: http://www.templehotel.co.uk Contact: Chris & Mel Richardson Multimap.co.uk satellite map Click here Multimap.co.uk street map Click here

Description When contacting this business please mention that you found them on My Derbyshire Dales The Temple Hotel and Restaurant is a beautiful historic Georgian Hotel set in two acres of  Derbyshire Hillside at Matlock Bath and overlooking the wonderful scenery of the Derwent Valley.   The Hotel dates back to the 1750’s and has had numerous distinguished people cross it’s threshold. That includes Lord Byron who was so moved by the beauty of Matlock Bath he was inspired to etch a poem on the restaurant window. Queen Victoria visited when still a princess and signed the same pane!   Since October of this year I have become very familiar with the Temple Hotel by attending  Thursday morning Business Breakfast Meetings with a group of local business people. During this time our group has come to know Chris and Mel Richardson (new owners since the Spring of this year)  well. As a group we have been impressed by their excellent breakfasts and their hospitality and good humour, even first thing in the morning! I persuaded Chris to let me do a Restaurant Review, I so that I could share with you the delights of eating at the Temple Hotel.   We decided to go along one Friday evening to the Chatsworth Lounge bar with it’s “old world” charm and atmosphere, real ales and open fire. After our brisk walk over from Matlock we found the atmosphere relaxing and pleasant. A good selection of Real Ales was on offer and the ‘Belgium Blue’ and ‘Armadillo’ went down very well. We sat near to the fire and looked through the menu and also what was on offer on the “Specials” board. We decided to forgo a starter so that we could leave some  room for a pudding. We were not surprised to be told that the food is all freshly prepared each day. The choice of starters on the menu was varied, ranging from Soup of the Day which was Carrot, Apple and Ginger to Spare Ribs marinated in a honey and soy sauce, the prices ranging from £3.95 - £4.95. Our main meal was ordered from the “Specials” board, the Steak and Ale pie caught my partners attention, and having confirmed with Chris that the pastry wasn’t one of those puff pastry monstrosities, which can be rather disappointing, but a proper  home made pie crust , the decision wasn’t very hard to make. I ordered the Lamb shank with mashed potato and home made gravy. They use lamb that is from Derbyshire.   The Steak and Ale Pie lived up to expectations, it was served with roast and  new potatoes with  lots of vegetables, a substantial meal for a mere £7.50, excellent value. My Lamb Shank was tender and tasty and was complimented by the home made gravy, which I feel you can’t have too much of , and mashed potato. The verdict from both of us was that the atmosphere, the food and the real ale of The Temple Hotel left us feeling happy and contented. Main meal prices range from £7.50 — £9.50, and they also have a good range of vegetarian options if wanted.   During our meal the Water Polo Team from Matlock arrived, there were forty people who  were booked into the Panorama room (the largest of the Temple’s restaurants)  for their yearly presentation of awards. The Panorama room has a beautiful setting, and lives up to it’s name by having one of the best views in the area. Chris informed us that the Panorama room is often used for Private Dinner Parties, Celebrations, Weddings, Christmas and New Year Parties. Business meetings and conferences can also be accommodated by the Hotel.   After a short rest we were ready to order dessert, my companion had Rocky Road Pie, described by him as a “very chocolaty biscuity fruity pud, lovely!”. I had Treacle and Coconut Tart, one of my favourites, served with ice-cream. Both puddings tasted home made and delighted  us both, at just £3.95 each. After another drink and a chat to a very hospitable Chris, we wended our merry way home! The Temple Hotel is open for Lunch and Evening Meals, why not take advantage of two great “Special Offers” they have on at the moment, see below…..   There is plenty of parking  in the Hotel Car park. The Chatsworth Bar Lounge is situated on the ground floor so disabled access is available, it’s probably best to ring first though. Review written 2007