The Peacock at Rowsley

Owned by Lord and Lady Manners of nearby Haddon Hall, the Peacock at Rowsley is a perfect place to savour this beautiful part of the Peak District and is within easy striking distance of the area’s star turn, Chatsworth House and its languorous estate. Set in immaculately maintained grounds, the Peacock’s main building, with its mullion windows and lovely stone gables, is firmly rooted in the seventeenth century, but the decor is a clever mixture of ancient antiques and modern touches, and there’s an elegant restaurant and cosy bar downstairs that are a joy after a long day’s walking. Given the nature of the building, not one of its bedrooms is the same, but they all feature flatscreen TVs, IPod docking stations, DVD players and wifi. There are 14 guestrooms and 1 suite: most have large fireplaces, and comfy beds with big headboards (apart from a couple of 4-posters) and are furnished with the sort of antique furniture that goes with the building, but with splashes of colour and the same contemporary touches as you find in the public areas. Dogs are welcome throughout – and with so many great walks possible from your doorstep, it would be a shame if they weren’t; they certainly look the part flaked out in front of the Peacock’s embracing hearths.