The ultimate Peak District weekend guide: Bike hire, fine dining and village charm

MONSAL BIKE TRAIL: Cycling in the Peak District is never to be missed and is an unbeatable experience with Monsal Cycle Hire (www.hassopstation.co.uk, 00 44 1629 810588) based at Hassop Station.  With a natural countryside backdrop that looks like something straight out of a Lord of The Rings film, test your endurance on a fun, traffic-free and extremely scenic flat route of 8.5 miles along a stretch of disused railway line from Hassop Station. Alternatively, go for a more relaxed yet still thrilling 2-hour route (perfect for kids, and adult cycles with Tag-a-longs) through tunnels and over spectacular viaducts with lots of viewpoints and places to stop off along the way. Want to take it easy? Hire an electric bike and forgo any leg workout for one where you’ll spend more time marvelling at the rural paradisical views of the Monsal viaduct (once a railway line from Manchester to London) and the limestone valley below. 

CHATSWORTH HOUSE:  Just the journey before you arrive at the peerless 35000 acres Chatsworth Estate (www.chatsworth.org, 00 44 1246 565300)  is a sight to behold; the sprawling grounds and drive are made up of thick woods and dense rolling pastures past wild heather before you reach a manicured parkland surrounding  the historic Grade I listed house. 

Often cited as the UK’s answer to the Palace of Versailles with its palatial stone exterior, gilded windows and magnificent fountain, The Duke of Devonshire’s country pad is one of the most recognisable stately piles in the UK. Used as a stand in for Mr Darcey’s Pemberley in the 2005 Pride and Prejudice remake starring Keira Knightly Knightly and Matthew Macfadyen, it was built in the 16th century by the Duke of Devonshire and has been the Cavendish family’s ancestral home for 16 generations ever since. 

The house and landscaped gardens are open to the public from late March until early January all year and make for an amazing weather-proof day out. With one of the most spectacular art collections in Europe, you could spend an entire day just in the house admiring the museum- worthy collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics from as far back as Ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece to more contemporary works as well as exploring the Grand State Rooms, Sketch Gallery and Painted Hall. 

It’s also easy to lose entire afternoons in the showstopper 105-acre Capability Brown-designed gardens which feature a Victorian Rock Garden,  a canal pond, cascades and the 1st Duke's Greenhouse. Artist Angela Connor’s ‘Revelation’ water sculpture in the woods (installed in 1999) is always a hit with kids too, especially when it opens and closes like a huge flower bud thanks to some magical modern engineering. Kids will also go wild for the estate’s outdoor working farm and meeting resident pygmy goats, cows, Guinea pigs and rare breed Suffolk Punch horses as well as opportunities for animal handling and milking demonstrations. Next to the farmyard is an excellent outdoor woodland playground which comes with slides, water and sand play, a low rope park and trampoline. Make sure to stop by the award-winning farm shop for cakes, pastries and other edible treats before you leave. 

WHERE TO EAT  

The Prince of Wales, Baslow  (Church Lane, Baslow, Bakewell, DE45 1RY 

www.princeofwalesbaslow.co.uk, Tel: 00 44 1246 583880) 

The Peak District is filled with cute village pubs and inns and The Prince of Wales Village Pub & Restaurant is an unmissable fine dining experience inside a polished and upmarket village landmark building in Baslow. Taken over by Nick and Jemma Beagrie in 2023, a local and super friendly couple who also own The Bakewell Bakery and the Bull's Head Inn at Foolow, they’ve transformed the postcard-perfect village pub (think stone façade, heritage panelled windows but with fabulous revamp inside) into a sophisticated eaterie 

which doorsteps the Chatsworth House estate. Having recently gained a second AA Rosette as well as a commendable local listing the Good Food Guide, Head Chef, Matt Booth’s kitchen specialises in locally-sourced seasonal fare such as excellently cooked and ambitious takes on venison, pigeon and rabbit as well as tasty vegetarian and vegan mains. 

Make a beeline for dreamy views of the rolling hills from the outdoor dining terrace, a thrilling-seat next to the open-kitchen, or head upstairs in the airy-and sunshine filled gallery. 

Lunchtime menus are casual yet brilliant (and equally popular with hikers after a long day trekking the peaks, dressy locals and Chatsworth estate visitors).  Try the moreish fish and chips, Derbyshire Lamb rump served with yogurt, parsley emulsion and spring greens or a pan-seared Seabass which flakes perfectly with the touch of a fork. 

Dinner menus offer more sophistication and seriousness. We devour starters of crab rarebit and honey roast cauliflower which come presented beautifully and spot on, generously portioned main courses of seared duck and filet of beef cooked to perfection. Deserts of set dark chocolate mousse, Kafir lime pannacotta and strawberry and tarragon pavlova will have you craving for more. Even better, you can wash everything down with wine from the varied list, local artisan ales and beers or deliciously mixed gin cocktails. 

With so much to do in the Peak District including hiking trails, beauty spots and events, head to Visit Peak District (www.visitpeakdistrict.com) for more inspiration.