AD – Pub Tours offer a chauffeur driven, expert-led tour to “taste, experience and be educated on the authenticity, history and culture of six unique pubs in the Peak District”.
The multi-award-winning business is dedicated to celebrating pub culture in all its varying forms, and deliberately selects a range of different range establishments on each tour, to showcase the breadth and variety of pubs in the Peak District.
Each Pub Tours tour includes VIP treatment with a reserved seating and a drink of choice in each pub (skilfully organised by the host, for swift service and no queuing at the bar), chauffeur driven transport and expert commentary throughout.
Passion for Peak District Pubs
As a lifelong resident of the Peak District, Pub Tours founder, Emily is passionate about keeping the area’s pubs alive.
A consummate hospitality professional, with a vast knowledge and experience of the industry, Emily set up Pub Tours during lockdown, when, seeing first-hand how much her local pubs were struggling, she was driven to drive new business into her favourite Peak District pubs.
A Peak District Pub Tour
Since Pub Tours are Seasonal Sponsor of the blog, I was keen to experience a tour for myself. I’m in complete admiration of what Emily has created in Pub Tours. It’s easy to see how her drive and commitment to supporting rural pubs lead to her being nominated as a Tourism Superstar in Visit England’s national search.
And what could be more fun than a day sampling the delights of the region’s best pubs? Or so one would imagine. I’ll be honest, since having my daughter I’m not much of a drinker. I love a wine or two, but the thought of six drinks seemed a tad ambitious…
My Pub Tour
On a bright and sunny April morning, we met at Thornbridge Tap Room in Bakewell. I hadn’t got around to arranging a plus one, but any trepidation I felt melted away as I was warmly welcomed by Emily (founder and our tour guide for the day) and Angel (our host for the day, who expertly arranged our pre-orders on the way to each pub). There was a really genuinely nice mix of people (one family with their grown up daughter and boyfriend and their two dogs, and two couples) – everyone was pleasantly sociable without there being any enforced group camaraderie. In fact, it was a great day out for a solo traveller, I felt very well looked after throughout.
Pub Tours have established excellent relationships with over twenty pubs throughout the Peak District and each tour is unique, showcasing a different variety of hidden gems, with routes carefully planned, using local knowledge, to minimise any lengthy journeys.
A Quintessential Public House
Our first port of call was the Flying Childers in the pretty village of Stanton in the Peak. Quickly furnished with our pre-ordered drinks, we were warmly welcomed by Richard the landlord who explained some of the history of the pub, the origins of which date back to the 1800s. The unique name comes from a race horse owned by the Duke of Devonshire. The Flying Childers is an award-winning, rustic and untouched example of a quintessential English public house. Family owned, and a brilliant example of the homely feel that is totally unique to English pubs.
Despite all its tradition, the pub also runs an exciting range of pop-up events – and I was pleasantly surprised to see an extensive range of vegan options on the menu. Just like Emily, Richard was a passionate advocate for the wider pub trade and spoke about the brilliant camaraderie amongst local landlords, how they support each other and work together.
Peak District Pub with a View
Our second port of call was The Lathkil Hotel in Over Haddon which enjoys unrivalled panoramic views over Lathkill Dale and is a popular pit-stop for walkers.
The Lathkil offers five real ale hand pulls offering an array of guest beers, often from local craft brewers (such as Hartington Bitter from Whim Ales in Hartington and Peak Ales brewed on the Chatsworth Estate). Like in many of the pubs, traditional games like dominoes and cards can be played.
The Modern British Pub
Then it was on to a firm favourite of mine, the Ashford Arms. Newly re-opened, having enjoyed a significant refurbishment after being shut for about five years, the Ashford Arms is an excellent example of a modern British pub, sympathetic to its heritage but with all modern comforts.
Here we enjoyed our own private room with stunning parquet flooring and a beautiful mix of traditional and contemporary décor. Many of us on the tour also enjoyed a spot of lunch. I opted for a spicy chicken burger with guacamole and the most delicious triple cooked chips (again, this was expertly arranged by our delightful host, Angel to minimise waiting times) but there was everything from sandwiches through to pub classics (like Derbyshire pie of the day) to more high end gastropub offerings. Read my full review of The Ashford Arms here.
As we travelled to our next destination, via the beautiful scenery of Monsal Head, Wendy the mini bus driver was full of fun and interesting anecdotes. Weaving our way through the stunning scenery of the Peak District national park, our guide regaled us with fascinating tales.
Peak District Gastropub
Somewhere that has been on ‘my list to visit’ for years but has somehow just hadn’t happened, was The Blind Bull in Little Hucklow. This 12th century inn with its well-appointed beer garden overlooking the surrounding fields (quite possibly the best beer garden in the Peak District) has earned itself quite the reputation as a foodie destination. Its menus featuring local, seasonal produce were recently featured on Adam Richman Eats Britain, whilst Visit England previously crowned the pub as a “pub of the year” for its accessibility and sustainability credentials.
Village Pub in the Peaks
Our penultimate stop was at the White Lion in Great Longstone, a brewery-owned pub (by Robinsons, independent family brewers of over 181 years) offering a good selection of real ales. The White Lion has an excellent reputation for food, both for pub classics and for more exotic choices. There’s a really popular quiz night as well as darts and other sports.
The Mighty Thornbridge
Our last pub was a return to Thornbridge Tap Room which was now buzzing with throngs of people attracted by the brewery fresh, craft beer and their epic pizzas.
As I’m sure is evident, I’m not a huge beer drinker – and the world of real ale is somewhat of a mystery to me – but even I know what a big deal Thornbridge is. Starting life in the outbuildings at Thornbridge Hall (which we had passed earlier on the tour), Thornbridge was catapulted to success through its innovative IPA, Jaipur which is now sold nationwide.
Thornbridge’s Tap Room was buzzing. Clearly the place to be on a Saturday night in Bakewell! This was where the reserved seating and exclusive table service, really came into its own. The pizzas also looked incredible – I definitely recommend factoring one in for your tea!
Although the Pub Tour officially finishes at 6.30pm, guests can enjoy the reserved tables until the Tap Room closes.
My Overall Impressions of Pub Tours
I had a wonderful day experiencing a range of real British pubs in the lovely company of a friendly, welcoming group and would recommend Pub Tours to anyone.
Emily was an exceptionally knowledgeable tour guide whose charming, affable nature really made the experience something special, ably assisted by Angel who was an excellent host.
We experienced a great variety of different pubs and this would be excellent way for tourists to experience the great British pub – but I honestly think most adults would enjoy this. Anyone with even a passing interest in the heritage of the Peak District, or a taste for real ale would love it.
I like to think I know Derbyshire, and Derbyshire pubs, but I hadn’t previously been to four of the six pubs. I also really enjoyed being chauffeur-driven. As well as the pub element, the tour was a wonderful introduction to the stunning, and varied, landscapes of the Peak District. Valleys, dales, peaks and vistas… and dry stone walls for miles! We saw spring lambs frolicking and even a deer. As a local resident with a keen interest in the area I found it interesting, but for a visitor unfamiliar to the Peak District I’d say it’s a must-do activity.
It would also make a really thoughtful gift for anyone interested in craft beers, real ale or just pubs generally.
Oh – and if you’re wondering – the six drinks proved not to be an issue!
Go for:
A lovely day out experiencing the best Peak District pubs.
Details:
+(0)44 7516265918
Dog friendly. There is a £10 charge for your dog to come too, which includes a little doggy VIP treatment along the way.
Family friendly? Worth getting a babysitter for.
One reply on “Experience Peak District Pubs with Pub Tours”
One thing I really miss about the UK since I moved to the U.S. is the traditional British pub. I used to enjoy going to local village or town, pubs and try out the menu and beers. A tour like this would be perfect for me; when I finally get home, this is something I will do!