The unassuming Derby pub with astonishing connection to Met Gala, shares these 3 strict rules

The Met Gala may be the talk of the town once a year, however a Derby pub is also raising eyebrows with its house rules.

The Abbey Inn at Darley Abbey, Derby is a pub with four very strict rules - sharing three that are enforced by the Met Gala.

You may wonder what a star-studded event such as the Met Gala - this year’s attendees included Lewis Hamilton, Rihanna and Zendaya to name a few - has in common with a pub in Derby.

The Abbey Inn doesn’t allow cameras, phones and swearing - the same three rules that apply to Met Gala (although this didn’t stop attendees getting snap happy on the night.)

The Abbey Inn goes one step further by enforcing two more rules; no kids, no dogs.

The Samuel Smith pub’s house rules means people indoors can expect a phone-free, quieter environment.

It may not be to everyone’s liking. However The Abbey will have its fans, particularly those who crave a quieter atmosphere.

For those with pets or children, there is another pub that is lively and boisterous, perhaps the exact antidote to The Abbey, that is located just a few seconds away from The Abbey.

The Little Darley Pub near the picturesque Darley Park is formerly The Papermill.

I have visited both pubs an hour apart.

Each pub has a very, very different personality.

The Little Darley Pub is great if you love a vibrant, lively ambiance and cannot live without getting your phone out.

The Abbey Inn is one for those who prefer a quieter pace of life and those who aren’t too bothered about checking phones. When I visited The Abbey Inn earlier this year, I was blown away by the serenity.

The Abbey Inn also serves Sunday lunch and they serve a very good pie too.

At the time of writing The Little Darley Pub doesn’t serve lunch, but has a snack-led, grab-and-go food offering.

The Abbey Inn is a Samuel Smith pub built in the 15th century, now enjoying Grade II* Listed status.

It was originally part of the old abbey but pivoted to a pub offering in 1979.

It is comprised of two floors with a jaw-dropping roaring fire on the ground floor and a bar, with a second bar upstairs with exposed timbers.

Location: The Abbey Inn, 4 Darley Street, Darley Abbey, Derby DE22 1DX