Derbyshire Restaurant Guide

“In the Peak District, close to Chatsworth House, Baslow Hall is much more modern than it at first appears up its little hill from the road and – surrounded by a vibrant kitchen garden – it provides a very romantic destination”. Rupert Rowley, chef of 17 years’ standing, upped sticks in early 2019, leaving sous chef James Payne to step into his shoes. Michelin removed their star on the back of the change, but we’ve maintained the survey’s very good ratings, and will reassess next year if necessary.

“Exceptional quality” Japanese fare has long drawn workers from the Toyota factory down the road to this dinky outfit, and while its appearance is “slightly at the café end of the spectrum, when the food’s this good who cares?”

A new regime has done nothing to dent the charms of this “fantastic gastropub in the middle of nowhere” – it’s “just as beautiful as ever” while still being “a real pub”, and “the food, always good, has got better if anything”. Top Tip – “they now run good value set-menu tasting evenings; huge credit to anywhere brave enough to run an all-vegetarian evening in the beautiful depths of rural Staffordshire!”

“Still here (since 1994) and busier than ever”, this “family-run home to solid if unshowy French cooking” “stands out for excellence in an otherwise mediocre region”. “Great value”, too – “particularly mid week & lunch”.

James Duckett’s “tastefully decorated” inn is set in the Peak District National Park with wonderful views of the Hope Valley. It offers a wide variety of dining options – from bargain early evening menus to tasting menu options – “top notch” fairly traditional cooking provided by “friendly and efficient staff”. Top Menu Tip – “legendary sticky toffee pudding”.

This “old mill overlooking the river and weir” – part of the Darley Abbey Mills World Heritage site on the Derwent – has an “interesting menu and consistently high-quality cooking”. “Lunch here is always a pleasure, thanks to its setting, space and service as much as its food”.

“Really pleasing food”, “very good service” and a “lovely location” have earned plaudits over many years from the locals for Robin Hunter’s Derby Dales village gastropub, which has recently added the Church Lane Deli to its attractions.