NORTH DERBYSHIRE

Dramatic peaks, award-winning food and oodles of country house elegance. North Derbyshire is peak perfection.

the landscape of the Hope Valley Peak District — Image / Tom Wheatley

STAY

Whether you’re looking for low-fi or full-blown luxe, this corner of the Peaks is packed with chic little crashpads just begging for an overnight fling.

bar at the cavendish baslow — The bar at The Cavendish

All out luxury: The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow

With elegant, airy bedrooms, a gorgeous garden room restaurant and rolling views of the Chatsworth Estate, The Cavendish Hotel in Baslow is a true Peak District gem. A luxe coaching inn with classic country house style, it’s looking freshly buffed after its recent refurb and has some cracking festive packages lined up for winter, which include dinner, bed and breakfast along with entry to Chatsworth (from £587).

Charming cottage: Marmalade Cottage, Winster

Flagstone floors, mullioned windows, and a toasty woodburner – grade II-listed Marmalade Cottage in the chocolate-box village of Winster is absolutely brimming with character. Spot of rambling on the cards? The lovely Limestone Way starts less than half a mile away. Sleeps four, from £596 per week.

Off-grid glamour: Buzzard Lodge, nr Hassop

Eco cabins don’t come much more beautiful than Buzzard Lodge near Hassop. Sleeping two, you can soak up the wilderness through vast picture windows from the comfort of your blissful king-size bed. Cosy up by the woodburner, toast something delicious over the fire pit or linger under the waterfall shower. From £400 for two nights between March and end of October.

Boutique bargain: The Maynard, Grindleford

Boutique bargains abound in this part of the Peaks but, with its stunner of a master suite, expansive views and fabulous locally-sourced food, The Maynard in Grindleford is hard to beat for a great value escape (from £93). Got the dogs and the fam in tow? Head to the youthful-feeling Bike & Boot – a chic, cheap crashpad made for outdoor adventures (where no one bats an eye at muddy paws or boots). From £76.

SCOFF & QUAFF

With a whopping eleven restaurants listed in the Michelin Guide, this part of Derbyshire seriously punches above its weight for stellar eats. From gorgeous gastropubs to country house fine dining, it’s pretty close to foodie heaven.

waiter sets the table AT FISCHERS BASLOW HALL — Fischer’s Baslow Hall

Fischer’s Baslow Hall, nr Chatsworth

Perched at the top of a tree-lined drive a couple of miles from Chatsworth, creeper-clad Fischer’s Baslow Hall may no longer hold a Michelin star (it kept one for a quarter of a century until 2019) but it still shines in both the Michelin Guide and the Good Food Guide – and its reputation for fabulous fine dining remains firmly intact. Whether you go for the 10-course tasting menu, an à-la carte lunch or dinner, or a chef-side perch at the kitchen bench, expect dishes that let every ingredient sing. Sustainability is a big deal here too, with a focus on homegrown, seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients (much of it handpicked from the kitchen gardens). Fischer’s is elegant but never stuffy; luxe yet laid-back.

Loveage, Bakewell

A favourite haunt of Tom Cruise when he was filming Mission Impossible last year, laid-back Loveage in Bakewell dishes up modern British comfort food with style. Go a la carte, step it up with a five-course tasting menu, or go the whole hog with seven sumptuous courses (including the likes of Black Bomber custard tart, lamp rump with rosemary and garlic sauce, and cherry sorbet).

Chatsworth Kitchen, Rowsley

Seasonal, sustainable, nourishing food is the star at easy-to-love Chatsworth Kitchen at Peak Shopping Village in Rowsley. With most ingredients sourced from the Chatsworth Estate itself, the menu (including a tempting children’s menu) is a masterclass in simple, quality, delicious produce. And the brunches? A total highlight.

The Blind Bull in Little Hucklow has spent the past year scooping up awards and accolades – including a Muddy Award, a silver in Visit England’s Pub of the Year and a coveted Top 100 spot in Estrella Damm’s prestigious list of the best gastropubs. Its locally-sourced, Michelin-listed menu delivers punchy, flavour-packed classics alongside a brilliant vegetarian spread.

MUST DO

From cable car flights and country-house capers to wild walks and highbrow opera, there are cultural highlights aplenty in this neck of the woods.

autumn at chatsworth — Chatsworth in autumn / DPC photography, Chatsworth House Trust

Country house splendour

No trip to the Peak District is complete without a visit to swoon-worthy Chatsworth House and Gardens or the wider estate. If you want to swerve the crowds (and the entry fee – house, garden and farmyard tickets are £32 for adults and a tenner for kids), spend a day roaming the free-to-explore estate, walking, picnicking and soaking up those handsome house views. That said, the House and its gorgeous gardens are totally worth a look – especially in the run- up to Christmas, when everything is dressed in festive finery and the gardens sparkle with a magical light trail.

On top of the world walks

From dramatic rocky ridges to pretty riverside trails, the Peak District has it all when it comes to walks – and it’s one of the biggest reasons visit. Only got a weekend? Bag the big views with a hike up Mam Tor, a Peak classic that suits every ability. Tight on time, or wrangling toddlers? Park at the NT car park and hotfoot it 20 minutes to the trig point for an easy, no-sweat photo opp. Prefer a proper day’s hike? Start in pretty Edale and tackle the circular eight miles that shows off the very best of the Hope Valley.

Cultural hotspot

The Regency splendour of Buxton – with its beautiful Crescent, spa-town heritage and stunning Opera House – is weekend-escape gold. This winter’s operatic highlight is Carmen on Sun 8 Feb. Bookworms should swing by the High Peak Bookstore and Café on the A515 just before you reach Buxton. Cool and quirky, it’s packed with eclectic bargains (all new books, nearly always half-price, and you never quite know what gem you’ll stumble upon).

Seasonal highlight

Fancy a winter light trail with a difference? Take a moonlit cable car trip up to The Lights of Abraham winter lights trail at the Heights of Abraham (where else?). Wander through illuminated woodland paths and colourful surprises around every corner. Adult tickets are £22 and it’s £16 for kids, from 21 Nov -30 Dec.

MUDDY TIP

Swerve the Chatsworth crowds and head round the corner to the much quieter Haddon Hall. This beautiful 900-year-old stately home, with its exquisite Elizabethan walled garden, reopens for the most magical (and wonderfully tasteful) Christmas markets on weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

CHESHIRE

STAY

Boutique stay: Cheshire Boutique Barns, various locations in Cheshire

Given you’re in the proper countryside, why not bed down in a barn for the night? Though make it one that nails rustic glam and all the cosy frills you could dream of. Roll top baths are opening onto skyward views, cushion-strewn beds you’ll immediately swan-dive into, and private gardens with fire pits for after-dark snuggles and Champagne. Book the on-site therapist for a massage, then drift off in the king-size bed on the upper mezzanine.

Spa stay: Manor House Hotel & Spa, nr Crewe

Over at this dreamy pad near Crewe, meadows and country views wrap around the beautifully spruced-up farmhouse. Beds are squishy, service is slick, and the restaurant is firing on all cylinders with an unpretentious yet globally inspired menu. But the real magic happens in the spa out back, where guests drift through the lavender-scented spa garden, snooze on daybeds, and paddle over to the swim-up bar, where glasses of fizz are whipped out amid the haze of the steamy pool.

Pub stay: The Roebuck Inn, Knutsford

This characterful pub has perfected the art of the mini-break thanks to its expertly cooked menus, higgledy-piggledy interiors and six hideaway rooms. Kitted out with the pub’s trademark flamboyance, you’ll clock nudey artworks, freestanding tubs, log burners and chandeliers swinging over the big beds. And downstairs? A buzzy pub with globally-inspired plates – ideal for post-walk Negronis and sharing plates beside the fire.

Family stays: Carden Park, nr Chester

Carden Park is Cheshire’s standout family retreat, balancing refined style with serious outdoor fun. Set across 1,000 acres, the Pursuits Centre is a playground for all ages: aerial adventure courses, Segway trails, archery, and climbing walls keep kids happily occupied, while parents can sneak off to the (truly exceptional) spa or hit the golf course. Spacious, contemporary rooms mean everyone gets their own space, and there’s even a cinema room when the little ones need to flop on the floor.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Linden Stores, Knutsford

Chef patron Chris Boustead (of London’s Opera Tavern and The Ten Bells) and Laura Christie (of Oklava in Shoreditch), opened this London-born passion project in Knutsford in 2023. Inventive small plates, refined dishes and cult wines have put Linden Stores firmly on the foodie map – without a whiff of stuffiness or pomp. Beloved by the cool crowd and the critics, this one truly deserves all the hype.

Twenty Eight, Chester

An innovative spot serving up British-style plates made with produce plucked straight from the team’s own market garden, Growing @ Field 28. Expect clever, seasonal cooking without any of the faff. Our tip? Swing by for the £28 lunch deal – two courses of knockout flavour, such as Cornish crab crumpets or rabbit leg pie.

Fox and Barrell, Tarporley

There’s an unpretentious stylishness to this Tarporley drinking den, freshly crowned in the Top 100 Gastropubs in the UK. The same goes for its decidedly British menu, which doesn’t stray too far from pub classics, but delivers them seriously well, complete with those smoky, charred flavours only a Josper grill can muster. Arrive on a balmy evening and you’ll be treated to its gloriously atmospheric open-air dining space, Hide.

Picturedrome, Macclesfield

Inside a reimagined cinema sits this buzzing social hub packed with indie food vendors and craft beer – the dream spot when everyone fancies something different. Diners feast in the cavernous space on billowing pizzas from Honest Crust, firecracker Thai street food from Chilli B Thai, and saccharine treats from Baked by Bean. A total gem in the heart of Macclesfield’s growing foodie scene.

MUST DO

Distant view of the South Front of Lyme Park

Walk here

Cheshire’s mammoth long-distance trail, stretching 32 miles from Frodsham to Whitchurch, shines a light on the sandstone ridge that juts out of the Cheshire Plain, weaving through farmland, forest and towpaths, with wildflower-speckled meadows popping up along the way. Don’t fancy tackling the entire thing? A brand-new Sandstone Trail Walking Package has launched, letting you bed down at The Swan, Tarporley, before walking 13 miles to The Lion at Malpas. The deal includes one dinner, B&B and two nights’ accommodation from £199 per person.

Scoff on

One of the things I love about Chester is how wonderfully compact it is – which makes it the perfect subject for a foodie tour. Enter Chester on a Plate, launched just last year by Stephanie Bath, who’s wildly passionate about the city’s indie food scene. Armed with insider intel, she’s curated a collection of tours, from street food to cheese and wine, plus a brewery wander of the city. A good intro is the half-day tour, making pit-stops at indie bars and restaurants (the lineup stays secret until you arrive). Just don’t forget to pull on your fat pants.

Country house splendour

If stately homes are your thing – sweeping drives, scandalous portraits, and the kind of gardens that demand a floaty dress – Cheshire has more than enough to fuel your English country fantasy. Top of the list? Lyme Park. You’ve almost certainly seen it before – even if you didn’t realise it. This 1,400-acre estate played Pemberley in the BBC’s Pride and Prejudice, and yes, that lake scene with Mr Darcy was filmed here. But it’s far more than an iconic film location: the house is a moody, magnificent blend of Elizabethan core and later baroque excess, while the grounds roll out into moorland, woodland, formal gardens, and wild red deer.

Cultural hotspot

A cathedral to culture in a converted Thirties cinema, Storyhouse is Chester’s beating creative heart. It’s a café, cinema, library, bar, and performance space all in one slick, Scandi-chic venue buzzing from morning lattes to late-night curtain calls. Expect everything from boundary-pushing indie productions to big touring shows, open-mic nights, bookish happenings, and films that go way beyond the blockbusters. Chic, community-driven and gloriously unpredictable. You’ll see it on our what’s on guide on repeat – it puts on some of the biggest productions in the county.

MUDDY TIP

Lose yourself at The Edge, Alderley Edge. The antithesis of the luxe that swirls around Alderley Edge, this iconic sandstone escarpment is a dramatic meeting point of myth, moorland, and ancient woodland. Paths wind past twisted yews and weathered outcrops, leading to Bronze Age burial sites, secretive caves and the mythical resting site of a sleeping army, hidden within the rock. It’s a gorgeous sprawl for a lungful of fresh air – and whatever you do, don’t leave without a cinnamon bun from the dreamy Wizard Tearoom.

YORKSHIRE

Often referred to as God’s Own Country – and with good reason! From the dreamy Dales and sleek cities to cool coastlines, Yorkshire really does have it all. Throw in postcard-perfect villages, market towns brimming with indie boutiques, and more Michelin-star restaurants than you can shake your flat cap at, and you’ll see why we’re so proud. But once you’ve experienced that famous Yorkshire welcome (served with a smile and a proper brew, of course), you’ll get it. Just be warned: Yorkshire has a habit of stealing hearts – and keeping them.

STAY HERE

All out luxury: Grantley Hall, nr Ripon

With an impressive array of accolades – including a two Michelin Key distinction, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and a multi-award-winning spa – it’s no wonder that Grantley Hall is considered one of the best hotels in the country. Think stately home glamour meets five-star indulgence at its finest. You can even arrive by helicopter if you wish – oh, dahling!

Muddy tip: Try to bag one of the suites. Yes, they’re spendy, but when they come with your own personal butler, a complimentary private bar and even a baby grand piano, they’re totally worth it! Rooms from £725 per night, but keep an eye out for special offers.

Coastal cool: Saltmoore, Sandsend nr Whitby

Nestled between the wild North Sea and the heather-draped moors in the postcard-perfect seaside village of Sandsend, Saltmoore is a haven for wellness lovers and foodies alike. With dreamy interiors you’ll be snapping nonstop, a spa you won’t want to tear yourself away from, and sandy shores just a stone’s throw away, it’s the kind of place you return to again and again. Whether you’re drifting in the indoor pool, toasting marshmallows by the garden fire pit, or waking to sea-mist on your terrace, this is laidback luxury at its finest.

Muddy tip: Book a room with an outdoor tub for next-level loveliness, and treat yourself to an experience while you’re here – think horse riding along the shoreline or a dreamy beach picnic. Rooms from £280 per night.

City star: The Grand, York

If you’re looking for a city stay that blends historic grandeur with modern comfort, The Grand in York is your girl. You’re literally in the heart of York, with the city walls and iconic Minster serving as your backdrop. Housed in a stunning 1906 Edwardian former railway HQ, the hotel brings soaring ceilings, marble finishes and oak-panelled elegance in spades. There’s even a serene spa nestled in the old vaults with an indoor pool, sauna and steam room.

Muddy tip: Book on the last Thursday of the month to dine to the sound of live jazz in The Rise Restaurant – trust us, it’s worth it. Rooms from £249 per night.

Cosy cottage: Scold House, Skipton, Yorkshire Dales

Want to stay in a cottage that looks like it’s been plucked straight from The Holiday and dropped into the Yorkshire Dales? You’re in luck. Sleeping up to eight guests across four effortlessly stylish double bedrooms, it’s perfect for families or a gang of friends. Outside, there’s a sprawling garden, a wild-swimming pond, a woodland sauna, and a sunny patio ready for BBQs and long, lazy evenings.

Muddy tip: book a Land Rover experience to explore the Dales in style. From £1,240 for a 2-night stay.

SCOFF & QUAFF

Michelin star magic: The Angel at Hetton

Serving up food that’ll make you whisper “wow”, this is a true Yorkshire institution, and absolutely not one to miss. Set in an idyllic patch of North Yorkshire countryside, this Michelin-starred gem plates up seasonal, locally sourced dishes that feel like works of art and taste even better. Expect inventive cooking, a wine list that’s just as considered, warm Yorkshire hospitality and cosy-cool interiors that make every visit feel like an occasion.

Foodie heaven: Swinton Park, Masham, nr Ripon

Like your produce local and super fresh? Then make your way to Swinton Park. Not only do they have the biggest kitchen garden in the country, but the estate is so vast Manhattan could fit inside it! The result? Food grown in the sprawling kitchen garden, foraged or shot (sorry, veggies) on the estate, or sourced from top local producers. Swinton Park is a full-blown culinary playground with not one, not two, but three dining spots that seriously deliver – covering everything from fine dining to relaxed, family-friendly fare. Oh, and did we mention there’s a cookery school too should inspiration take you?

Pub grub: The Abbey Inn, Byland

Overlooking the atmospheric ruins of Byland Abbey, this 19th‑century inn has been given a fresh, local twist by celebrated chef Tommy Banks. The menu elevates classic comfort food using ingredients straight from the family farm just down the road. We’re talking burgers made from Dexter beef, heritage lamb ribs with clever little twists, seasonal veggie gems and a Sunday roast that’s crowned best in the UK. The vibe is warm, welcoming and effortlessly relaxed – the kind of place you can roll into without a hint of fuss.

Afternoon tea delight: Bettys Tearooms

It has to be the OG – Bettys Tearooms. Whether you go for a classic afternoon tea or a simple cream tea in York, Harrogate, Ilkley or Northallerton, you’re in for a treat. But if you want to dial things up, book a table in the Imperial Room in Harrogate or the Belmont Room in York, where the grand tradition comes with live piano music and gorgeous period features. After that, you’ll never want your tea any other way again.

MUST DO

Spa lovers, get yourself to Rudding Park Spa immediately. It’s a luxe escape nestled in 300 acres of parkland near Harrogate, and home to the UK’s very first rooftop spa and garden. There are cold plunges, indoor-to-outdoor infinity pools, hidden hot tubs and outdoor garden saunas – basically hydro-heaven.

Fancy some fresh air? The circular loop up Sutton Bank is the one. Perched on the western edge of the North York Moors National Park, it’s often dubbed “The Finest View in England”, looking out across the Vale of Mowbray and the Vale of York, and even towards the mighty Pennines on a clear day. While you’re there, check out one of Yorkshire’s most iconic landmarks – The White Horse of Kilburn carved into the hillside.

Culture vultures should make a beeline for Yorkshire Sculpture Park, where art and nature magically collide. World-class sculptures by the likes of Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Damien Hirst are scattered across sweeping parkland, lakes and woodland trails. One moment you’re admiring a giant bronze reclining figure, the next you’re picnicking by a mirror-bright pond or wandering into a sleek gallery filled with contemporary cool.

And for the kids? It has to be Jorvik in the city of York – the Viking experience in the heart of what was once a bustling Norse settlement. There’s no reading about history here; you’ll be riding through it instead. Plonk the kids on a ride that gives them a 360 view of how our ancestors lived, complete with the smells (yes, really), sounds, and slightly terrifyingly realistic Viking mannequins. It’s an immersive time-travelling experience that the kids will adore (and the adults will secretly geek out on too). Think longboats, long hair, and a whole lotta long-lost history.

NORTH DERBYSHIRE

STAY

All out luxury: The Cavendish Hotel, Baslow

Charming cottage: Marmalade Cottage, Winster

Off-grid glamour: Buzzard Lodge, nr Hassop

Boutique bargain: The Maynard, Grindleford

SCOFF & QUAFF

Fischer’s Baslow Hall, nr Chatsworth

Loveage, Bakewell

Chatsworth Kitchen, Rowsley

The Blind Bull, Little Hucklow

MUST DO

Country house splendour

On top of the world walks

Cultural hotspot

Seasonal highlight

MUDDY TIP

CHESHIRE

STAY

Boutique stay: Cheshire Boutique Barns, various locations in Cheshire

Spa stay: Manor House Hotel & Spa, nr Crewe

Pub stay: The Roebuck Inn, Knutsford

Family stays: Carden Park, nr Chester

SCOFF & QUAFF

Linden Stores, Knutsford

Twenty Eight, Chester

Fox and Barrell, Tarporley

Picturedrome, Macclesfield

MUST DO

Walk here

Scoff on

Country house splendour

Cultural hotspot

MUDDY TIP

YORKSHIRE

STAY HERE

All out luxury: Grantley Hall, nr Ripon

Coastal cool: Saltmoore, Sandsend nr Whitby

City star: The Grand, York

Cosy cottage: Scold House, Skipton, Yorkshire Dales

SCOFF & QUAFF

Michelin star magic: The Angel at Hetton

Foodie heaven: Swinton Park, Masham, nr Ripon

Pub grub: The Abbey Inn, Byland

Afternoon tea delight: Bettys Tearooms

MUST DO

IN THE MOOD FOR MORE?

Beautiful North: Eat, drink, stay & play the Muddy way

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