Grindleford Restaurant Guide

This well-known Peak District property has been run by Max & Susan Fischer since 1988 and is currently managed by their son Neil, who is credited in reports with keeping standards at least as high under his parents. Watch this space as there are plans to open a champagne bar on the terrace this summer.

This swish country house hotel, in one of the Peak District’s most picturesque villages, is transforming before visitors’ eyes as part of an ongoing, £1.1 million makeover. As we went to press, the more casual ‘Garden Room’ had already been reborn, with chef Adam Harper (ex-of the acclaimed nearby Fischer’s) overseeing a new menu with impeccable local sourcing such as Chatsworth beef; this, the more formal fine diner, will follow suit, but meanwhile won praise this year – well “on its way to a Michelin star” by some accounts. All reports acclaim the “brilliant food and ambience in all areas” and it’s also tipped for afternoon tea.

2022 Review: A collaboration between Sheffield cook Richard Smith, his restaurateur wife Victoria and the award-winning craft brewers Thornbridge; “creative fish dishes” feature alongside meats – all well-singed on the fancy Bertha indoor charcoal oven – and the “great location” (skirting the Peak District) makes it particularly “good for outdoor eating”.

2022 Review: “Seriously tasty, excellent-quality food” is on the menu at chef James Duckett’s inn, which has wonderful views over the Hope Valley in the Peak District National Park. His cooking is “very good”, and “the 7-course tasting menu is superb value for money”. “Friendly service and no over-long waits between courses”.

Visit England’s pub of the year in 2023, this renovated, twelfth-century Peak District inn’s other claim to fame is being the fifth oldest pub in the country. Feedback on its conservatory dining room was more limited than we’d like this year, but acclaims its “excellent food, lovely view and proficient service”. There’s an eclectic selection of modern pub grub, or you can choose to dine from the focused (four choices for each course) dinner menu at £39.50 for two courses.