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Summary of reviewsThe Bulls Head, nestled in a picturesque South Derbyshire village, garners widespread praise for its charming location, delightful dining experiences and historical ambiance. Positioned conveniently just minutes from Donington Park race track and nearby attractions like Ashby and Calke Abbey, it serves as an ideal base for various ventures. The quaint village setting and scenic walks around the period property add to its allure, making it a perfect respite for wedding attendees or those breaking up a long journey, despite occasional mentions of road busyness which can be mitigated by opting for a rear room.
Guests consistently highlight the hotel's breakfast as exceptional with freshly cooked full English options receiving rave reviews. The generous portions, varied menu and attentive staff who often surpass expectations amplify the morning dining experience. The dinner services are equally lauded with praise directed at the high quality, home-cooked meals and generous portions. Evening delights like the Steak & Ale pie stand out, complemented by the friendly bar service and moderate pricing, offering a notable culinary experience.
Accommodations at The Bulls Head are frequently noted for their exceptional cleanliness and comfort. Guests appreciate the spacious and tastefully decorated rooms, complete with modern amenities and well-equipped bathrooms. Even smaller rooms maintain a cozy and restful atmosphere. The pristine cleanliness of the facilities, from the bedding to the bathrooms, is a recurring commendation, underpinned by a homely ambiance and comfortable beds, despite a few mentions of varying mattress preferences.
The staff at The Bulls Head are repeatedly praised for their warmth, friendliness and outstanding hospitality. They go out of their way to ensure guest satisfaction, contributing significantly to the enjoyable atmosphere of the hotel. The ample and free on-site parking adds to the convenience, although the car park's layout can sometimes be challenging.
Steeped in history, The Bulls Head's 15th-century origins and charming old-world architecture provide a unique and inviting atmosphere. Guests appreciate the historical character of the building with its authentic features and ambience complementing the enjoyable dining and cozy accommodations.
Overall, The Bulls Head is celebrated for its picturesque location, superb food, clean and comfortable rooms, exceptional staff and charming historical setting, making it a well-regarded choice for travelers of various interests. Show more
Read review summaries for all categories
Categories
Historic Inn
Inn with Parking
Cheap Inn
Small Inn
Room Types
Double RoomElegant Double Room with en suite bathroom. There is a flat-screen TV, free Wi-Fi, and free tea and coffee facilities in each room for guests to relax with.
Superior Double RoomA seating area with a flat-screen TV, a desk and a private bathroom are provided in this spacious double room. The unit offers 1 bed.
Superior Double RoomA seating area with a flat-screen TV, a desk and a private bathroom are provided in this spacious double room. The unit offers 1 bed.
Guest Reviews
8.7
Very Good
Location
Nestled in a picturesque village, The Bulls Head boasts a prime location that caters to various needs and interests. Positioned just 17 minutes from Donington Park race track, it's an ideal spot for race enthusiasts. The nearby attractions, including Ashby and Calke Abbey, make it a convenient base for sightseeing in South Derbyshire.
Visitors consistently appreciate the charming, country pub ambiance mixed with the convenience of a historical setting. The pleasant, quiet village offers a perfect respite for those attending nearby weddings or just breaking up a long journey.
Free parking and easy accessibility to local attractions add to the convenience. The picturesque walks around the quaint period property are a bonus for nature lovers. While some mention the busyness of the road in front, a room at the rear can ensure a quieter stay.
Overall, the clean and warm accommodations, lovely food and beautiful surroundings make The Bulls Head a well-regarded choice for various travel purposes.
Breakfast
The Bulls Head has garnered a glowing reputation for its breakfast offerings, drawing high praise from delighted guests. Breakfast is frequently described as exceptional, excellent and fabulous with many reviewers highlighting the freshly cooked, full English breakfast as a standout option. The menu caters to a variety of tastes, featuring generous portions and variations to suit all preferences.
Guests rave about the attentive and friendly service with some noting the staff's willingness to go above and beyond, even opening early to accommodate early risers. The breakfast is not only delicious but also plentiful with offerings described as more than enough and a feast in itself. Accompanying beverages such as tea and coffee are available in abundance.
Overall, The Bulls Head excels in delivering a superb breakfast experience each morning, characterized by quality, variety and excellent service. From legendary cooked-to-order dishes to ample portions, the breakfast here consistently impresses, making it a highlight of many guests' stays.
Dinner
The Bulls Head has garnered consistently positive feedback for its dinner offerings. Guests repeatedly praised the establishment for its excellent food with many highlighting the delightful evening meals and generous portion sizes. The variety on the evening menu was well-received with mentions of home-cooked and freshly cooked dishes adding a personal touch to the dining experience. Standout praises were given to specific meals such as the Steak & Ale pie for its delicious flavor.
Consistency seems to be key at The Bulls Head with guests noting that the quality of food, whether dinner or breakfast, remained impressively high throughout their stay. The freshness of the dishes and the prompt, hot delivery impressed many visitors. Patrons found the meals to be of great value, fitting well within the realm of good pub grub. The service at the bar during dinner also received commendations, pointing to a well-rounded dining experience.
Moreover, guests appreciated the plentiful and tasty options available, making it a satisfying spot for those looking to unwind with great food after a long day. From standard pub food to more exceptional offerings, the overall sentiment suggests that The Bulls Head excels in providing a delightful and satisfying dining experience, coupled with friendly staff and excellent service.
Rooms
The rooms at The Bulls Head have garnered consistently positive feedback from guests with many highlighting the exceptional cleanliness and comfort. The spaciousness of the rooms is frequently praised, as guests appreciate the well-appointed and tastefully decorated interiors, which often include comfortable beds and modern amenities. The bathrooms are described as exceptional and well-equipped, contributing to the overall positive experience.
Guests have noted that while some rooms may be on the smaller side, they still manage to provide a comfortable and cozy atmosphere, ideal for a restful stay. The hotel rooms are described as warm, clean and quiet, providing a peaceful environment for relaxation. Additionally, the rooms are noted for their stylish decoration and fresh ambiance, making for a pleasant stay.
Friendly and helpful staff further enhance the experience, ensuring that guests feel welcome and well taken care of. In summary, The Bulls Head provides well-furnished, spacious and immaculately clean accommodations, making it a favored choice among travelers.
Beds
The reviews for The Bulls Head highlight the general comfort and pleasant experience of staying at the hotel with numerous guests praising the very comfortable beds. Many appreciated the plush and cozy feel, describing the beds as very comfy, comparing them to sleeping on a cloud and noting that the rooms were extremely comfortable. Guests frequently found the beds to contribute significantly to an enjoyable stay. However, there were a few mentions of beds being either rock hard or too soft for some people's tastes with specific references to mattresses being a bit bouncy or in need of replacement to avoid rolling into the middle. Despite these few critiques, the overpowering sentiment is one of satisfaction with the bed comfort at The Bulls Head.
Cleanliness
The Bulls Head has garnered a notable reputation for its exceptional cleanliness and comfort, consistently highlighted across guest reviews. Visitors frequently describe the property as clean and pristine with rooms that are very clean, tidy and nicely decorated. The emphasis on cleanliness extends to specific mentions of spotlessly clean facilities, including the ensuite bathrooms and overall property.
Guests find the rooms to be very comfortable with numerous comments on the comfort of the beds and the homely feel of the environment. The reviews specifically mention the rooms being lovely and clean with even the smallest details like the bathroom and bedding being well-maintained.
While some guests noted minor issues, such as room size and uneven room floors, these concerns were overshadowed by the overwhelmingly positive feedback on the cleanliness and comfort of the accommodations. The team at The Bulls Head is also praised for their friendliness, adding to the welcoming atmosphere of this beautifully clean property.
Staff
The overwhelmingly consistent sentiment about the staff at The Bulls Head is their exceptional friendliness and hospitality. Guests frequently highlight how welcoming and approachable the staff are, making them feel at home and well taken care of during their stay. The recurrent theme of helpfulness indicates that the staff goes out of their way to ensure guests have everything they need, no matter the time. Specific mentions of individuals, such as Dave and the landlady, further underscore the personalized and attentive nature of the service provided. Overall, the staff's warmth, professionalism and willingness to assist leave a lasting positive impression, contributing significantly to the enjoyable experience at this hotel.
Parking
The Bulls Head offers convenient on-site parking that many guests find easy to navigate. The ample and free parking options add to the hotel's appeal, making it an ideal choice for those visiting Ashby. While the car park’s shape can be a bit challenging for some, overall, it provides plenty of available spaces that make parking a hassle-free experience.
Historic
The Bulls Head is a charming old pub hotel that attracts visitors with its rich historical significance and inviting atmosphere. As an establishment that dates back to the 15th Century, the building's character shines through its quaint and unique architecture, setting it apart from modern structures. Guests highlight the charm of the old building, noting its historical essence and the sense of stepping back in time, reminiscent of the days when stagecoaches and horse riders would arrive at the inn.
This centuries-old property is not only popular for its storied past but also for its delightful offerings, such as a lovely evening meal and a hearty full English Breakfast, making it a great place to stay. Visitors appreciate the hotel's authentic atmosphere, emphasizing the real character it exudes. The charm of The Bulls Head is further accentuated by its traditional approach, including the unique Sunday afternoon closure, which adds to the historical feel of the place. With its endearing quirks, such as uneven edges and varied stair heights, this property offers a truly distinctive experience that transports guests to a bygone era.
No, The Bulls Head doesn't have any pool.
No, a spa isn't available at The Bulls Head.
No, The Bulls Head doesn't allow dogs.
Yes, parking facilities are available at The Bulls Head.