Gloucestershire &amp; Worcestershire


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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-lowdown">THE LOWDOWN</h2>



<p><a href="https://www.peakedgehotel.co.uk/">Peak Edge Hotel</a> is a four star hotel and 2 AA Rosette restaurant combo that sits in an eye-wateringly pretty location on the edge of the Peak District National Park. Sandwiched between buzzing Chesterfield one way, and scenic Matlock the other, it&#8217;s a platinum postcode for a rural getaway-with-benefits. </p>



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<p>Pleasingly low rise and made from local sandstone, Peak Edge&#8217;s 27-bedroom capacity makes it feel very boutiquey. I visited during half term, peak stomping season for families and overnighters keen to explore Chatsworth, Haddon Hall, Bakewell and beyond, yet it still felt tranquil. A new garden room, swanky terrace for outdoor drinks, renovated bar and expansion of the former Orangery into a new events room (a wedding was in full swing when we visited) all add to the experience here.</p>



<p>Peak Edge has grown out of the original rustic coaching inn here which dates back to 1788, and there&#8217;s a cool back story too. Current owner Steve Perez used to work in the kitchen as a boy alongside his father in the 70s before the hotel was sold in 2010.  </p>



<p>Always nursing a soft spot for the place, he went on to buy it back in 2018, aiming to turn Peak Edge into a luxury destination hotel in the area with a strong sustainability game, sourcing food from a two-mile radius wherever possible. He clearly has a recipe for success, the Red Lion Restaurant here was crowned Best Pub in Derbyshire in the <em>National Pub and Bar Awards</em> earlier this year.</p>



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<p>Granted, you are just metres off a main road, but you don&#8217;t hear it at all from inside. A lot of thought has gone into the landscaping too, with 6,000 trees recently planted and a little lake with koi carp complete with pretty wooden bridge. The Muddy dog was in paradise hurtling around for his morning walk on the fields which are accessible right outside your bedroom.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE VIBE</h2>



<p>Cosiness on steroids. Peak Edge Hotel does homely <em>really</em> well. It is bursting with character, from original beams and flagstone floors to roaring, open fires. The walls are a riot of deep ruby and rusty hues, and the decor doesn&#8217;t take itself too seriously either, with an assortment of animal-headed period portraits dotted around. I loved that there are countless nooks and wingback chairs to sink into here with a pot of tea and good book. </p>



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<p>We arrived on the nippiest of November days with rain lashing down, and it was the most heavenly and welcoming oasis to step into with attentive and helpful staff at every turn. The crowd here consisted of couples, groups of friends and families of varying ages out for dinner, along with lots of locals pulling up an armchair for a swift one or three.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/34.jpg" alt="red lion restaurant derbyshire" class="wp-image-55166" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/34.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/34-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/34-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/34-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">SCOFF &amp; QUAFF</h2>



<p>The award-winning, 2 AA Rosette Red Lion Restaurant is headed up by talented Exec Head Chef Dan Peverell, serving up a menu that is a definite cut above your standard gastropub. There is a tightly curated menu that clearly champions local food, always a big plus, with the eggs, meat, bread and honey all delivered  directly from Perez&#8217;s farm Walton Lodge, less than half a mile away.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/30.jpg" alt="red lion restaurant derbyshire" class="wp-image-55168" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/30.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/30-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/30-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/30-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The restaurant itself has heaps of country chic, with chunky oak beamed booths, leather armchairs, moody lighting and a nod to biophilia with a potted tree in the middle, festooned with fairy lights. </p>



<p>For starters I went for Hand-Picked Crab Katsu with Charred Corn and Pickled Apple &amp; Fennel, Mr Muddy opted for the Pan-Seared Scallops. Both were incredibly flavoursome and came with the fanciest of Michelin-style flourishes.</p>



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<p>The mains were good, substantial portions. I went for the Pan-Roasted Monkfish Tail which came with a Mussel, Prawn and Clam Boullaibaisse and Confit Potato, a terrifically meaty and filling dish. We also had the Seared Tuna Steak Linguine from the day&#8217;s Specials board, which was totally sensational with zesty flavours and flake-off-the-fork fish.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="700" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/7-1.jpg" alt="red lion restaurant derbyshire" class="wp-image-55024" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/7-1.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/7-1-800x560.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/7-1-400x280.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/7-1-750x525.jpg 750w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



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<p>All of the steaks come from Walton Farm&#8217;s home-reared Belted Galloway rare breed cattle, and if you throw in any side go for the Roasted Baby Carrots Glazed in a Honey Fennel Butter, they are tremendous (I made sure I scribbled this one down for my Christmas table!).</p>



<p>The menu is unashamedly meaty and fishy and why not, Peak Edge really makes the most of the Peak District&#8217;s bounty. But whilst I didn&#8217;t spot any vegan mains, there was a lovely sounding Walton Garden Wellington and Butternut Squash Risotto and should you want to adopt dishes further the staff are incredibly helpful, I made a couple of non-dairy tweaks to courses and nothing was any problem for the kitchen.</p>



<p>For dessert it had to be the Pear Tart which was utterly delicious, and again so beautifully presented it was almost too good to eat (not quite though).</p>



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<p>The wine list seemed to go on for pages, so if you love vino you&#8217;re in for a treat here, there are a dizzying array of world wines to sip, from California to South Africa. Albeit only one or two, there is a nice nod local Derbyshire grapes too, with the 2021 Elsa Pink from Amber Valley Vineyards in Alfreton (£39 a bottle) being extremely quaffable.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">PILLOW TALK</h2>



<p>The dog-friendly Superior Room we had was spacious and extremely comfy, with a king-sized bed, stylish velvet statement headboard and deep armchairs. We had an idyllic view over the landscaped grounds too. The bathroom had a good spec with a rainfall shower and one of those snazzy infrared mirrors that doesn&#8217;t fog up. Upgrade to a Luxury Suite for a hit of stunning crystal chandeliers and emperor sized beds.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="700" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/10-3.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-55022" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/10-3.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/10-3-800x560.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/10-3-400x280.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/10-3-750x525.jpg 750w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>Superior Room at Peak Edge Hotel</figcaption></figure>



<p>All rooms feature a 46” LED TV and the free Wi-Fi connection was pretty good, even standing up to the test of a work zoom.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/31.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-55167" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/31.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/31-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/31-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/31-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption>The Luxury Suite</figcaption></figure>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">OUT &amp; ABOUT</h2>



<p>Take just a few footsteps west and you&#8217;ve got the whole of the Peak District National Park at your disposal, this place is hiker and biker heaven. When you&#8217;re done drinking in the breathtaking views take a trip through the countryside to stately Chatsworth, just 15 minutes away or historic Haddon Hall. Being just 12 miles from the M1, Peak Edge is really easily accessible, great for exploring the antique shops of Chesterfield with the wonderfully wonky church spire, or the delights of Matlock Bath (ride the cable car over Abraham Heights if you&#8217;re woman enough) and the indie shops and cafés of Bakewell.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">ACCESSIBILITY</h2>



<p>Very good, due to the nature of the recent build, pretty much all of the hotel is accessible and many of the rooms too, the restaurant and bar are also all fully accessible.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">DOG FRIENDLY?</h2>



<p>Very pooch-adjacent. Opt for a dog-friendly room which has easy access out onto the miles of fields. Although not allowed in the restaurant, they are ok in a section of the bar at the back, but it&#8217;s lovely and cosy here with a big open fire.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">THE DAMAGE</h2>



<p>A bed for the night here is extremely reasonable considering the glorious location. Double rooms cost from £95 (Superior) to £200 (Suites). But expect to hold your breath a bit when the card machine comes out for food. A three-course meal for two with a bottle of wine came to around £150, but for the excellent provenance of the food and the lovely artistry on the plates, it&#8217;s very much worth it for a special meal out. </p>



<p>On a tighter budget? Book Afternoon Tea for £30 per person, or come for lunch instead, where you can get a bowl of steaming soup made with locally grown veg for just £8 or a Red Lion Club Sandwich for £12.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MUDDY VERDICT</h2>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GOOD FOR</h2>



<p>Lovebirds wanting a sneaky weekend away, and a top option for families wanting a high quality getaway but with a relaxed hotel vibe. Foodies must put this place on their wishlist, it&#8217;s clear to see why the Red Lion Restaurant keeps scooping awards. Adventurers and nature lovers book in now, the glorious Peak District is your playground.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">NOT FOR</h2>



<p>Unwavering urbanites who break into a cold sweat at the sight of 360 degree open fields. Although you do have Chesterfield, Buxton and even Sheffield within very easy reach, this stay has max appeal for countryside lovers.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/15.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-55018" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/15.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/15-800x800.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/15-400x400.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/15-525x525.jpg 525w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/glosworcs/wp-content/uploads/sites/13/2023/11/15-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://glosworcs.muddystilettos.co.uk/travel/review-peak-edge-hotel-chesterfield-derbyshire/"><span style="text-decoration: underline">Peak Edge Hotel</span> &amp; Red Lion Restaurant</a>, Darley Road, Stone Edge, Chesterfield, Derbyshire, S45 0LW.</p>


Review: Peak Edge Hotel, Chesterfield

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