Peak District Cottages - Were to eat

Guests often ask us where best to eat. We always find this a difficult question to answer, as we are not familiar with their likes and dislikes. But in an attempt to help you find somewhere that meets your tastes and pocket we have compiled the following list. This list is not exhaustive but covers the places we know or other guests have commented on.

In this the peak district you are spoilt for choice for restaurants and pubs serving food. The choice ranges from Fischer’s in Baslow (Michelin Star) to simple pub snacks at any of the local pubs. Of course there is always afternoon tea at one of the 15 teashops in Bakewell. We have tried to provide a selection of menus from local establishments (in the leisure area) but with the number available it is almost impossible to do them all justice. We are attempting to eat our way round the more popular ones, to enable us to provide you with some better indication of where best to eat (or that is Shirley’s excuse). If you need any help selecting somewhere to go we will try and help. In general although all the restaurants in Bakewell are excellent the food served in some of the pubs is mediocre (the Castle is the only exception we know of). In general if we are looking for a pub meal we will go to one of the local village pubs.

Some of the more popular establishments get very busy, especially at weekends in spring and summer, so booking is advisable.

Monyash - The Bulls Head (2 Miles) [01629 812372]
Standard local village pub with a large restaurant in the rear. Very popular with both the locals and tourists so can be busy in summer. Meals are served either in the restaurant or the bar area. In general a 3-course dinner with costs in the region of £15-£20. The menu is standard pub fair with ‘very’ large portions. Bar snacks are also available.
Booking Requirements – essential at weekends in spring and Summer
Our general assessment – Good value for money for everyday pub meals.
Other Guest assessment – Most of our guests have at least one meal here and all of them have been very satisfied.

Monyash - The Smithy Café (2 Miles)
Small café next door to the pub with loads of character and charm. Either sit on the grass outside or in the small cluttered seating area. Unfortunately the Smithy is only open on a Saturday for evening meals but if you need lunch or a mid day snack it is an excellent choice. A lunch will cost around £5-£10 per person.
Booking Requirements – N/A
Our general assessment – We love the place especially the Ice creams in summer.
Other Guest assessment – Love it.

Over Haddon – Lathkill Hotel (2 miles) [01629 812501]
Although called a hotel it has a bar area that is open to the public and a garden area looking towards Lathkill Dale. The beer is usually excellent (in Good Beer Guide) and is a must for an evening drink in summer. The restaurant has a classic English menu with prices ranging from £20-£30 per head for a 3 course meal. Lunch time buffet meals are available throughout the summer.
Booking Requirements – only on the busiest days in summer
Our general assessment – We have found the food variable but still go there for the beer and the views.
Other Guest assessment – Went through a bad patch when the owner was in hospital but recent reports indicate an improvement. A little like ‘Fawlty Towers’ without John Cleese.

Over Haddon – Uncle Geoff’s Dinner (2 miles)
A little cafe in the owner’s shed attached to the garage. It only seats 6-10 people at a time, so it is cosy. The owner has a hearing and speech impediment so instructions are via writing pads on each table. This is a must if you are passing at coffee or afternoon teatime as the coffee, cakes and sandwiches are excellent at a very reasonable price
Booking Requirements – N/A
Our general assessment – Our sort of place.
Other Guest assessment – Great little place for afternoon tea or morning coffee before/after a walk into Lathkill Dale

Crowdecote – PackHorse Inn (5 miles) [01298 83618]
A classic local pub with plenty of charm and good food. Very popular with locals and visitors alike. It is essential to book on a Friday and Saturday all year round. Meals are also served in the bar area. The menu is diverse and in general a 2-course dinner will cost in the region of £15-£20.
Booking Requirements – Advisable at weekends in spring and summer
Our general assessment – Good quality food in a nice friendly atmosphere. Changed hands recently and not quite as good as it was.
Other Guest assessment – Loved it, excellent food. Adopted by the ‘Beautiful South’ as their ‘local’ while recording at Bolehill.

Sheldon – Cock and Pullet (2 miles) [01629 814292]
A classic local village pub popular with the local hunt, farmers and shooters. The pub serves excellent beer and provides both bar snacks and a full menu. Seating is limited so it is worth booking a table or turn up early in the evening. The menu includes the usual standard pub fair with a few additional gems. A 3 course meal costs in the region of £20-£25 per head. It should be noted that they do not take credit cards.
Booking Requirements – Advisable at weekends in spring and summer
Our general assessment – Good food with a warm welcoming atmosphere.
Other Guest assessment – Excellent pub food with lots of atmosphere (look out for the clocks). A few guests have recently been very disappointed (especially with the chicken chasseur). Quality seems to be variable.

NOTE -  The Cock and Pullet use meat from their own land, which is managed within a conservation agreement. In fact they have some of the best wild flower meadows in the Peak District

Ashford in the Water – The Bulls Head (3 miles) [01629 812931]
A small classic local peak district village pub popular with the locals. The pub serves excellent beer and provides both bar snacks and a full menu. Seating is very limited and they don’t take bookings so it is advisable to turning up early in the evening. The menu is of a restaurant standard and the food is excellent. A three course meal costs in the region of £25-£30 per head.
Booking Requirements – unable to book so get there early
Our general assessment – Excellent food with a warm welcoming atmosphere but difficult to get a table.
Other Guest assessment – Top class food in a atmospheric pub setting.

Monsal Head – Monsal Head Hotel (4 miles) [01629 640250]
Although a small hotel it has a large converted stables block that is now a very atmospheric bar with tables set out in the old stalls. There is a bookable restaurant but the same food is also served in the bar (not bookable). In winter a large log fire burns all day creating a warm welcoming atmosphere. In summer there are tables outside to admire the view of Monsal Dale. The menu is excellent with restaurant type choices. A three course meal costs approximately £30-£35 per person
Booking Requirements – essential at weekends all year round
Our general assessment – Worth going to just for the view into Monsal Dale. The food is excellent (try the Hartington Chicken) and the atmosphere in the bar area is always welcoming. Service can be slow but it is worth the wait.
Other Guest assessment – Excellent food with a great atmosphere. Loved eating in the stable!

Bakewell - Felicini (Italian) [01629 813813]
A Manchester franchise has recently converted an old mill that sits on the opposite side of the river to the town into a modern Pizza/Pasta restaurant. A two course meal costs approximately £20 - £25 (Note - they have happy hours from 5PM to 7PM).
Booking Requirements – advisable at weekends in spring and summer
Our general assessment – The food is good but the surroundings are too trendy for our taste.
Other Guest assessment – Everyone who has been there have enjoyed their meals.

Bakewell – Castle Inn [01629 812103]
Near the bridge in Bakewell. We have had a few good meals there. A typical town pub with standard pub menu at a reasonable price. A two course meal costs approximately £15 - £20
Booking Requirements – usually possible to get a table most times of the year
Our general assessment – Nothing out of the ordinary but the food is fine.
Other Guest assessment – A large number of guest have thoroughly enjoyed meals there.

Bakewell – Piedanials Restaurant (was Renaissance) [01629 812687]
A classic Restaurant with a French chef. The food and menu are excellent but the atmosphere is a little formal although this has been toned down recently. The place to go for a good quality romantic meal. A three course meal costs approximately £25-£30. A mid week set menu special is in the order of £18.
Booking Requirements – advisable on busy weekends in spring and summer
Our general assessment – Good food and nice environment although a little formal.
Other Guest assessment – Excellent food with good service. Enjoyed it.

Bakewell – Wheatsheaf Pub [01629 812985]
Although the bar area is an ‘in-place’ for youngsters and the décor of the dinning room is a little dated a number of guests eat here regularly and like it. They sell standard pub fair at a reasonable price. Note - A place to avoid on a Friday night as the bar area can get packed.
Booking Requirements – usually possible to get a table most times of the year
Our general assessment – No experience of eating
Other Guest assessment – A number of guests are almost ‘regulars’.

Bakewell – Max’s Balti [01629 814336]
We have no first hand experience of this Balti restaurant as Chris does not like spicy food. However, friends and guests have eaten there and all have been well satisfied and would recommend it to others.
Booking Requirements – not sure but probably worth booking at weekends during summer
Our general assessment – No experience .
Other Guest assessment – Loved the open fire the welcoming atmosphere and the food. Some guests have complained about the service (appears to be patchy)

Hurdlow – The Royal Oak [01298 83288]
On the way to Crowdecote just after the High Peak trail. A number of guests have found the food excellent and would strongly recommend it.
Booking Requirements – not sure but probably worth booking at weekends during summer
Our general assessment – Good pub fair at reasonable prices.
Other Guest assessment – Strongly recommended by a number of guests.

Rowsley – Grouse and Claret [01629 733233]
Recently refurbished establishment on the A6 at Rowsley. Although owned by one of the local restaurant chains the interior is modern, bright and attractive. A number of guests eat there regularly and love it
Booking Requirements – not sure but probably worth booking at weekends during summer
Our general assessment – No experience .
Other Guest assessment – All our guests that have eaten there give it high marks.

Baslow – Fischers Restaurant [01246 583 259]
Top class restaurant with a one Star Michelin award (one of the few outside London). This is as good as you get in the area. Expect to pay anything up to and beyond £100 per head.
Booking Requirements – not sure but probably worth booking at weekends during summer
Our general assessment – too expensive for us
Other Guest assessment – Excellent service and top quality food.

Baslow – Rowley's Gastro Pub [01246 583880]
Classic gastro pub with open kitchen etc.  The pub has a lot of atmosphere and feels warm and welcoming.   Rowley's is owned by the same people as Fischers.
Booking Requirements – Essential all year round
Our general assessment – We feel it is over rated and over priced. As one reviewer put it 'style over substance'
Other Guest assessment – No feedback.

Baslow – IL Lupo Italian [01246 583164]
We have no first hand experience of this Italian restaurant on the main road in Baslow. Other guests have, however, eaten there and have been very impressed.
Booking Requirements – not sure but probably worth booking at weekends during summer
Our general assessment – No Experience
Other Guest assessment – Good quality food with an excellent atmosphere.

Birchover – Druids Inn [01629 650302]
The Druids Inn (directly opposite to us over the valley) has recently been taken over by a family that run a restaurant in Sheffield. They have refurbished it to a high standard and although it has lost some of its old charm the food and service are now excellent. It is no longer a pub that serves food more a restaurant that serves the odd pint. A three course meal costs approximately £30-£40..
Booking Requirements – Essential to book at weekends in spring and summer
Our general assessment – Good quality food with a pleasant atmosphere but a little expensive for what it is.
Other Guest assessment – No feedback.
 
Beeley – Devonshire Arms [01629 733259]
Owned by Chatsworth estate, the Devonshire Arms has recently been restored to its former glory. The surroundings are exceptional, blending the old with the modern. Although there is a bar area they mainly concentrate on serving food. The service and food are top quality but expect to pay £30-£35 for a three course meal. Starting to become very popular.
Booking Requirements – it’s not possible to book so get there early.
Our general assessment – Excellent meal in beautiful surroundings. The menu was a bit quirky.
Other Guest assessment – No feedback.

Great Longstone – Crispin Inn [01629 640237]
A traditional Charming village pub with great food at a reasonable price. Excellent pub food  from about £25-£30 for a three course meal. One of our regular eating out places during the winter (a bit busy for us in summer).
Booking Requirements – advisable to book in mid summer.
Our general assessment – Excellent meal for the price but a bit busy in summer.
Other Guest assessment – No feedback. 

Note - Crispin Inn and the Devonshire Arms both use beef and lamb from Castlegate Farm, which is in Higher Level Scheme Environmental Stewardship and have achieved EQM, they’ve restored dew ponds and hay meadows and created a nature reserve on the farm for local residents, along with lots of other great conservation works!

There are lots of other very good places in the area, the above are only the small selection we know about. We will attempt to add to the list as we become more aware of good places to eat.
 
Note – It is worth noting that other than the two Indian Restaurants in Bakewell we are not aware of any pub or restaurant in the area that servers food after 9:00PM.
 
Takeaways
There are a number of takeaways in Bakewell: Chinese, Indian (*2), Fish and Chips (*2), Pizza (*2). There is at least one copy of each takeaway menu in the leisure area lobby. McDonalds, Pizza Express etc are conspicuous by their absence. The Chinese can be very busy on some nights and pre-ordering is recommended.