Top 10 pubs in the Peak District

If there’s one thing the Peak District does well (besides stunning scenery, awe-inspiring walking routes and exhilarating outdoor adventures!) it’s pubs. They’re cosy and welcoming, with roaring fires, local ales and delicious food to make your tastebuds sing! Many of them are dog-friendly establishments too!

We’ve rounded up our best pubs in the Peak District, but honestly, the National Park is peppered with good’uns, so don’t be afraid to stray from the list and try out whichever takes your fancy. And why not book a cottage nearby, so you don't have far to travel after filling up on hearty fayre?

Peak District cottages

Cheshire Cheese Inn

Edale Road, Hope S33 6ZF

This traditional country pub is bursting with character, exuding welcoming vibes from every mellow stone of its attractive exterior. Its endearing name has interesting origins, dating back to when it was an overnight stopover on the salt carrying route which once ran from Cheshire across the Pennines to Yorkshire. Accommodation was provided in return for cheese, the original hooks for which can still be seen in the lower room.

Nowadays, the Cheshire Cheese Inn offers a mouthwatering menu made predominantly from local produce, with delicious Sunday roasts of meat from the village butcher. The dishes are exactly as you’d expect from an esteemed local pub – hearty, wholesome and the perfect energy boost after a walk in the stunning Edale Valley or Hope Valley. Wash it down with a pint of local real ale – a few visits might be necessary to sample all the beers on offer!

The Devonshire Arms at Pilsley

Pilsley, Bakewell DE45 1UL

Situated within the 1,000-acre Chatsworth Estate near Baslow, the Devonshire Arms prides itself on its great food and excellent ales. The cosy bar with its exposed stone walls, roaring fire and atmospheric lighting is a relaxing spot to enjoy the latter, particularly Chatsworth Gold which is brewed with honey from the estate.

The food ranges from fancy a la carte dishes, to pub classics and sandwiches – a menu curated by head chef Ashley Jones, using local ingredients mostly sourced from The Chatsworth Estate. His philosophy? Cook what you would like to eat.

A meal here is the perfect addition to a day out exploring the Chatsworth Estate, where you can wander along the leafy lanes through Edensor to discover the elegant Chatsworth House. Before you leave, pay a visit to the Chatsworth Farm Shop and pick up some fresh local ingredients to cook up a meal of your own inspired by the culinary delights you experience at The Devonshire Arms.

The Bridge Inn

Calver Bridge, Hope Valley S32 3XA

A family pub built on the principles of good food and wine to enjoy with friends and loved ones, The Bridge Inn in Calver in the Hope Valley aims to be a warm and welcoming place for friends and family to get together. Here, it’s not just about the meal itself, but also about relishing the whole social dining experience in an environment which makes you feel right at home. Traditional seasonal and modern food is served in a relaxed setting, creating the perfect ambience whether you're celebrating something special, or out for dinner just because.

Whatever style of dining you choose, your tastebuds are sure to be tantalised with the flavours on offer, from Tandoori chicken to steak and stilton pie. And while you’re waiting for your food? Select a tipple of your choice from the wine list, order from the varied selection of beer and ale, relax with a gin and tonic or savour a refreshing cocktail.

The White Lion

Great Longstone, Bakewell DE 45 1TA

In Bakewell, at the heart of the Peak District, this friendly pub serves a delicious traditional Sunday roast and has a lovely beer garden which is a safe environment for families to enjoy an al fresco drink or meal away from the road. The White Lion serves real ales and a selection of beers, wines and spirits to complement the gastro-pub style menu.

Fill up on a hearty breakfast in the morning before heading off into the surrounding countryside, or settle in for an evening, choosing from pub classics, flatbread pizzas, burgers and a changing range of specials.

The Chequers Inn

Froggatt Edge, Hope Valley S32 3ZJ

Dating back to the 16^th century, The Chequer’s Inn is a characterful country pub with a menu which changes to reflect the seasons. You’ll always find the good old pub classics and a hearty Sunday lunch which is just the ticket for providing the energy needed if you’re combining your visit with walking the Froggatt Edge circular route up the gritstone escarpment above the pub. Small independent breweries provide the refreshments, including Peak Ales on the Chatsworth Estate and Bradfield Brewery in Sheffield. There is also a host of wines, gins, whiskies and cocktails to suit all tastes.

The atmospheric woodland garden provides a scenic backdrop for lazy beers in the summer sunshine, and winter meals are best enjoyed in the cosy interior, warmed by the fire roaring in the stone hearth. It hasn’t always been all sunshine and warm fuzzy feelings though – during the 18^th century the inn was used by body snatchers from nearby Eyam before they set off do their dirty work in the graveyards of Sheffield!

Wheatsheaf

Netherends, Baslow, DE45 1SR

Boasting a menu of all the pub classics with ‘fresh modern twists’ and a plethora of delectable ales on tap, the Wheatsheaf is a traditional pub in Baslow where you can relax and unwind in unpretentious surroundings. One of the best pubs in the Peak District for families, it has a sprawling beer garden complete with an adventure play area, giving parents and carers the chance to kick back while their children play.

Just a short drive from Chatsworth House and with plenty of walks in the area, it makes a great stop to round off a lovely day out in the Peak District. Steaks and grills are what the Wheatsheaf does best, but guests are just as welcome to sit at the bar with a pint as they are to tuck into a three-course meal.

The George

Alstonefield, Ashbourne DE6 2FX

Set in Alstonefield, lying above Dovedale, and a short distance from Mill Dale, as Peak District pubs go, few are better positioned for a meal after a walk in the surrounding hills. Here you’ll always find a selection of real ales, a tantalising wine list and exceptional food, as recognised by The Good Food Guide, Michelin and Sawdays.

With authentic beams and characterful quarry tiles underfoot, crackling log fire and a warm welcome for walkers with muddy boots and their four-pawed pals, it feels familiar – an old haunt. Its olde-worlde atmosphere aside, there’s nothing understated about the 400-year-old coach house’s menu. A limited choice of top-class dishes is cooked to perfection and served up in the relaxed surroundings, with three, four and five-course menus available. Local suppliers are used wherever possible, and the food miles are kept to a minimum; some vegetables have travelled mere metres from The George’s own kitchen garden.

The Peacock at Rowsley

Bakewell Road, Great Rowsley, DE4 2EB

Having been awarded three AA rosettes and boasting a decadent fine-dining menu, The Peacock at Rowsley is the place to head if you’re looking for a touch of luxury. The perfect restaurant in which to celebrate a special occasion, the interior is wonderfully welcoming, with an open fire in the bar area, and understated luxury decor.  

Serving up indulgent dishes of local ingredients where possible, including organically reared beef and lamb from the Haddon Estate, you can be assured of a meal to remember. A more relaxed bar menu is available for those who just want to dip their toes into this prestigious establishment’s offering.

The Royal Oak

Hurdlow, SK17 9QJ

One of the best pubs in the Peak District for walkers out rambling in the southern areas of the national park, The Royal Oak is a charming, traditional establishment with open fires, generous portions and the promise of a thirst-quenching pint. Its rural location makes it all the more special – like an oasis in the vast, rolling countryside that makes up the Peak District National Park. Stop off here after completing the Tissington and High Peak Trail.

The menu features traditional fayre, including burgers, pies and steaks, or opt for a lighter lunchtime meal in the form of a baguette or sandwich. Wash down your meal with a cask-conditioned ale, or your pick of the wine list. A beer garden with sheltered seating, and a roaring winter fire make this a lovely choice if you’re looking for a dog-friendly Peak District pub.

The Old Nags Head

Grinsbrook Booth, Edale, S33 7ZD

From its old, stone exterior to its low-lit rustic interior, The Old Nags Head in Edale is steeped in history, dating back to 1577 – if only walls could talk! The open fire, blackened beams and ale tankards hark back to taverns of old, and nowhere could feel more welcoming after a long countryside walk than this, one of the best traditional pubs in the Peak District.

The pub marks the start of the Pennine Way, a 268-mile walking route which you’ll certainly need some sustenance for before you set out. The home-cooked pub classics purveyed by the Old Nags Head won’t leave you wanting for more. Pizza, burgers, baguettes and sausages sit side-by-side on the menu with favourite dishes such as fish and chips, and steak and ale pie.

Planning a Peak District Holiday?

Whether you’re off on a walking holiday or a sightseeing adventure, as a couple or with friends and family, we have a wonderful selection of holiday cottages in the Peak District to choose from. Have a browse of our Peak District cottages today and start planning which pubs you’ll be spending your evenings in!

Peak District cottages