FAQs
What are your opening times?
Monday (other than Bank Holidays) is our usual closed day. We are only open on Tuesdays during the summer. Therefore we are currently open Wednesday to Sunday 12pm to 10.30pm daily. With food being served 12pm to 8.30pm each day or 7.30pm on Sunday
Are you doing a full menu?
Yes, a full menu is available, all day, 5 days a week (Wednesday to Saturday) + Tuesday in Summer
Do you offer smaller portioned meals?
We currently offer a smaller portioned fish and chips as well as a half sized gammon both are available all day. We also do our homely Sausage & Mash dish.. all proving popular with Hikers, walkers and those on a budget. We are known for offering large portions as standard
How is it best to make a booking?
Click the BOOK A TABLE button at the top of the page and use the booking system to reserve a table. You can also phone us on 01538 300324 to make a booking but be aware we may struggle to answer your call during busy periods. For bookings over 6 you will have to give us a call because anything over 6 requires us to join tables together. If you intend bringing a dog then please give us a call and not use the automated system as dog friendly tables can get taken quickly.
Do you cater for larger events?
We don't cater for weddings, however, as of 2023 we do offer our main lounge for buffet style wakes Wednesday to Friday Only. Please email us at enquiry@yeolderockinn.com to discuss your requirements. For large groups (9+) for the purposes of having a sit down meal we will will require a pre-order for your food choices at least 48 hours prior. We advise contacting us well in advance of your intended visit if your party is greater than 9+ to discuss your requirements and to see if it is possible.
Why don't you accept larger groups at the weekends anymore?
We use to accept groups of up to 30 but we have learnt that large groups simply hamper service for everyone else given we are usually busy and means our kitchen has to stop service for other tables. For these reasons we now only accept larger groups (over 10) on Wednesday, Thursdays & Fridays.
What cask ales do you offer?
You will always find a pint of Timothy Taylors Landlord & Draught Bass on hand pull at the Rock, these are our two house ales which never change. Since reopening in 2021, Edward the Landlord has tried a great many ales and found these two to be the most popular. As of 2023 we also have at least one local ale on.
Do you have any baby changing facilities and offer access for disabled people?
Yes we have a dedicated disabled toilet with a baby changing unit. For disabled people in wheelchairs we advise parking on our rear carpark in the dedicated disabled bays, this gives straightforward easy access to the pub via the rear entrance which is on one level. We do advise phoning or submitting a note with any online booking if you require a table with wheelchair access.
Can we come just for a few drinks?
Certainly, drinkers are always welcome, if you see a table with just beer mats on that usually means we have kept it free for drinkers. You can also sit at the bar. Please don't sit at a table set for dining without speaking with a member of staff first.
We are a large walking group staying locally, can we come at the weekend if we just want drinks?
Drinkers are always welcome here but always give us a call first especially if you are a large group, we always advise walking groups that are drinking to go in our Tap Room Hikers Bar area, there may be dog friendly bookings meaning space is limited.
Do you have any awards?
In 2022 we were awarded 3, Travellers Choice by Trip Advisor, A Restaurant Guru Recommended Place to go & Top 10 Steak Houses in Leek also by Restaurant Guru. We also were awarded membership of the Timothy Taylors Champion Club. In 2023 we were also awarded "Excellent service" by Restaurant Guru, "Best Interior" as well as their "Excellent Seafood" Award. LUX LIFE Magazine also awarded us with the best family run country pub in Staffordshire for 2023.
Do we have to book a table?
Walk-ins are always welcome, it may be that there is a wait for a table or a delay in taking your food order but if you are prepared to wait we can usually accommodate people. That having been said we always advise booking especially at the weekends, if you are 6 people or more then booking is essential
Can i park on your carpark for the purposes of going for a walk?
Yes, our front carpark (opposite the pub) can be used by non customers to temporarily park and go for a walk if they wish. Many customers use the pub as a starting and finishing point to their walk/hike around The Roaches and this is something we wish to continue with in the future. It is a 20-30 minute walk from our front car park to the foot of the Roaches. Strictly no overnight parking!
Do you allow motorhome stopovers?
Yes we do for one night only, you must park on the front carpark (opposite the pub). We don't charge a fee but instead we do ask that you use the pub the night(s) you intend on staying over. Many choose to book a table for food. Simply leave a comment in your online booking to say you intend on stopping over. You do not need to ask management unless you are requesting something not listed.
Are you recruiting at the present time?
Yes, we are seeking positive minded people that can fit a variety of roles. To view our current positions please click here: https://uk.indeed.com/cmp/Ye-Olde-Rock-Inn-1/jobs
I have an allergy to a particular food what should i do?
ALWAYS contact us ahead of any potential visit, it's too late once you have arrived! We can then talk with our Head Chef and discuss your requirements. It isn't always possible and sometimes in the middle of a busy service there isn't the time to adapt a dish
Do you allow dogs?
Yes, we do allow dogs but ONLY in the Hikers Bar (a tap room bar featuring a pool table, darts board as well as its own bar & the Hikers Retreat room (a more secluded room), both of which can be accessed via the entrance off the rear carpark and you can dine in these areas too. We DO NOT allow dogs in the main dining/ restaurant side of the pub unless they are a registered guide dog. Space is limited in both these areas so please phone in advance for availability.
Do you have any sports teams?
Ye Olde Rock Inn currently participates in both the Leek & District Domino League as well as the nationally renowned Leek Pool League which features a few England players. We do have a pool table and darts board that customers can use whenever we are open (unless a league game is scheduled to happen).
Are there any recommended walks from the pub?
Yes, a lot of customers park their car at the pub and go for a long walk, they then return to the pub, many have a meal, some just drinks.
Our recommended walk is this... From the pub you can walk down the road immediately outside the pub into & through the village of Upper Hulme, climbing the road the other side up towards the Roaches & Hen Cloud rock formations. From the pub it will take the average walker 20-30 minutes to get to the foot of the Roaches. From here we recommend walking through the public gate located directly between the two rock formations (Roaches on the left and hen cloud on the right). We recommend walking to the top of Hen cloud first which should take the average walker another 20 minutes, the views on a clear day are stunning, you can see Jodrell Bank as well as Liverpool Docks. If you wish to walk further then back down Hen Cloud and then heading NNW towards the Roaches. There is a lower path and upper path, we advise the Upper path going as there is more to see. Doxey Pool is about a 1/3 of the way along. Remember whatever you walk going you have to walk back. You can park at the foot of the Roaches but marked parking areas are very limited, if you park on the grass then you risk getting ticketed, be warned.