Mr & Mrs Smith

Fabulous food, which was worthy of the very best rooms. The hotel was comfortable and stylish. The open fire in the bar was perfect with a pint of the local beer and a Wodehouse novel. If you're a walker try the glorious path to Chatsworth House.
 

This was blissful. Wonderful service and great food. No rush over breakfast – felt like we could have sat there all morning. Could have happily eaten at the buffet several times but instead (ok, as well) had cooked breakfasts with perfect poached eggs and best black pudding I'd ever had. Considering how close to the A6 it was very peaceful in the house and garden. Delighted to find the 'Mouseman' furniture throughout the dining areas. Attention to detail evident in the whole hotel, great staff making for an excellent short stay. By the way, thanks for arranging the booking – we called late, got a cancellation through New York and they were very patient with my disorganised state. Thanks.

Try the Bulls Head in Bakewell for dinner, it's a really nice pub with extremely friendly staff, a very relaxed feel and a cross section of locals tourists and walkers.

Here are two of my favorite cafés in the beautiful Peak District and close to The Peacock. The Old Smithy, in the village of Beeley on the Chatsworth Estate, Chapel Hill (+44 (0)1629 734666) has rustic country charm in abundance. The café and deli offer home-cooked locally sourced food, huge slabs of the most delicious cake, tea served in mis-matched vintage china, a garden to sit out in if the weather is nice and an open fire to sit by if it is not! On the other end of the design scale, the David Mellor café at the Round Building (+44 (0)1433 650220) in the village of Hathersage has a very contemporary feel, with a stark interior and floor-to-ceiling windows. The cafe serves lovely light lunches and also showcases some of David Mellor's designs, including working traffic lights! We would highly recommend both of these!

The Peacock at Rowsley is a wonderful hotel – it's in the middle of beautiful and stunning countryside. The fly-fishing is great – even for complete beginners. A morning or an afternoon with a guide (Jan was great!) means that you'll be casting beautifully in no time...