The Cavendish Hotel

For a taste of life on the Chatsworth Estate, book yourself in for a stay at The Cavendish Hotel in Baslow. This country house hotel is firmly rooted in the Duke of Devonshire’s vast 35,000-acre estate in the Peak District – and you’ll feel that while you’re here. Renovated in 2024 by interior designer Nicola Harding, bedrooms are inspired by Chatworth's history, art and interiors, including locally woven fabrics and glazed ceramic lamps, and they offer views across the parkland surrounding the estate itself, while the hotel’s two restaurants use fresh produce from its gardens and grounds.

Part of the outstanding collection of Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants, the style here is as classic as the destination, and while each of the 28 bedrooms is different, they all share the same aesthetic. Quality carpets, curtains and upholstery soften the crisp white linen on the beds, while the selection of artworks on the walls lifts the rooms to another level. They all boast stunning countryside outlooks and the main difference comes in the size. For example, 'Spacious' rooms have a seating area, while the 'Splendid Suite' has a four-poster and the duplex 'Townhouse Suite' boasts a private entrance and a king-size bed, but even the 'Cosy' rooms are a decent size. There's an accessible room in the separate Coach House, where the rooms are also dog-friendly.

The hotel may have a classic appeal but it’s contemporary where it counts. En-suite bathrooms have underfloor heating, heated towel rails and high-quality toiletries; most have baths and showers combined, but a couple come with rolltop baths and separate showers. Every room comes with tea- and coffee-making facilities, mini fridges with fresh milk and complimentary water, homemade biscuits, WiFi, a Bluetooth speaker and a Smart TVs. There's also a helpful book of circular local walks. Downstairs, there's a comfy bar and lounge where they serve sandwiches and snacks, plus a choice of two restaurants – the fine dining of the three-AA-rosette Gallery Restaurant or the relaxed elegance of the light and airy Garden Room, which opens to the outside south-facing terrace in warmer weather.

Out on the terrace, you’ll probably be tempted further into the great outdoors. After all, this is what this place is all about. The Chatsworth Estate offers seemingly endless walks through parkland and woodland, and you can follow a footpath direct to Chatsworth House itself in twenty minutes. The magnificent house is open for public viewing and has a vast collection of artwork on the walls, while outside its landscaped gardens are a further attraction. Beyond that? Well, this is the Peak District, so there’s a whole National Park to explore.