This has been months in the making… I can only imagine you’ve been counting down the sleeps… but wait no more… Your Derbyshire Festive Food Guide is here – hurrah! Here’s my take on the most fabulous places for eating and drinking out in Derbyshire this Christmas season.
Some of what’s included here is the result of PR invites and of my freelance work, but all views are my own [AD].
My Festive Food Diary – Bakewell
Bakewell always looks beautiful, but is particularly magical at Christmas. No trip would be complete without a visit to The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. In addition to the irresistible cake counter, downstairs is an extensive gift shop with a huge selection of artisan treats including their very own Bakewell Pudding Gin, distilled locally in Barlow.
Upstairs is a quintessentially English, traditional tearoom with exposed brickwork and original wooden beams. This is a popular place to eat and drink throughout the day, priding itself on a locally sourced menu. Seasonal specials include mulled wine, Baileys hot chocolate, Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate and no less than five varieties of mince pie, all served warm with whipped cream.
Then head to The Rutland Arms, a gorgeous boutique hotel situated in the heart of Bakewell. We enjoyed a faultless stay here a few years ago but it’s also firmly open to non-residents, with lots of different cosy corners and is dog-friendly.
Just around the corner from The Rutland Arms is the Lambton Larder, a gloriously eclectic deli stocking an exciting range of premium foodstuffs. A veritable foodie paradise, this is a great place for gifts, or to pick up a few special bits to add to your festive spread! It also serves up some of the best coffee in Bakewell, accompanied by a small range of pastries etc. They also had the most impressive display of panettone I’ve ever seen (and I’m still mourning the pistachio one I restrained myself from buying!).
Continue your mooch through the lovely streets of Bakewell. Look out for the award-winning window at The Wheatsheaf, where inside, the festive offering includes honey-glazed pigs in blankets with cranberry sauce and Turkey feast sandwiches!
Festive Eating Out in and around Chesterfield
The Peacock at Barlow is always delightfully decorated for Christmas. If I’m honest, I’ve never had a perfect experience here previously, but it was one of the few places open locally on a recent Monday night, when Helen Rowan and I were looking for a last minute venue for a catch up, and I have to say, they nailed it. Not only was it looking stunning, but they had a great menu of festive specials – including a festive burger which Helen assured me was top notch – and a gingerbread crème brûlée. The Peacock’s Carols in the Courtyard event is super popular – see their socials for full info.
Next door, is the charming Hackney House, the oldest tea room in Derbyshire. This 200 year old building oozes traditional charm and is popular for its hearty breakfasts and homemade pies. This is also a great place to pick up a homemade Christmas cake, mince pies etc.
Something that pleases me greatly is the fact we now have two places for French toast in Chesterfield. A few weeks ago, I finally got to try Chapter Two, a hidden little gem across from the football stadium, specialising in French toast and pancakes. Every bit as gloriously gluttonous as you can imagine! They also had a cute little model train set up which would be quite magical for kids of the right age.
For a more hipster version of French toast, head to the ever-brilliant Ninety Four Coffee who have a daily sweet and savoury special. Further down Chatsworth Road, Junction is reliably good for drinks and food and always runs delicious seasonal offering (don’t forget to pop in to nearby Ink & Earth for festive flowers, wreaths etc!).
I’ve had a couple of gorgeous festive catch-ups at the always brilliant, Bottle & Thyme (also check out their new wine and cocktail bar, Elder – in their old location). Their stunning tree (decorated by the talented Forest at Ink & Earth) is a worth a visit alone.
The Peacock at Owler Bar
I was kindly invited to the soft launch of The Peacock at Owler Bar. Longbow (the fabulous team who run The Maynard, The George at Hathersage and The Ashford Arms) took over the pub from a big brewery chain very recently and have weaved their magic, transforming back into a beautifully stylish and wonderfully cosy, destination dining pub. The stand out dish on the evening for me was the pork belly starter (pictured below). I’ll write a more detailed recommendation ASAP but in the meantime check out my Reel, or their delicious Festive Menu, including a delicious sounding festive afternoon tea.
Our Festive Tradition
Every year my husband and I have a bit of a day date… I think it originally started as a ‘festive shopping’ thing. We’ve gradually realised that we’re too knackered for a proper look round the shops and it’s morphed into just eating and drinking (one of the many reasons why we are so knackered… the irony is not lost on us, trust me!)… but given that the next few weeks turns into each being pulled in lots of different directions… it’s always good to have a little time together before the proper chaos of Christmas kicks in. Last year we had a lovely lunch at The Maynard, and previously have done The Scotsman’s Pack in Hathersage.
This year’s December lunch date coincided with a lovely invite to one of my all-time favourite places, the unsurpassed Fischer’s at Baslow Hall where we enjoyed an exceptionally lovely festive lunch. If you are looking for somewhere decadent where you can leave your worries at the door and just be properly taken care of by brilliantly attentive staff – this is it. Aside from the ambiance, food highlights at Fischer’s for me were the sun dried tomato focaccia (utterly divine!), the Brandade and the Creedy Calver Duck Leg. Read my most recent review of Fischer’s.
Derbyshire Festive Food Guide – Amber Valley
I’m really excited to be collaborating with Visit Amber Valley this season, so it’s only right to highlight a few personal favourites in this beautiful part of Derbyshire.
If you’re craving some fresh air, do check out my guide to the best walks in Amber Valley with cosy coffee shops.
It didn’t photograph as well as I’d like to have been included in that main blog, but the veggie breakfast at Basilia in Langely Mill was sooooo good and they have a lovely selection of artisan foodie gifts.
In Belper, one of my all-time favourite places to eat and drink is Nourish at No 44. This year they’re selling their own homemade Christmas puddings, red onion marmalade and speciality coffee.
The Joiners Arms in Quarndon (as recommended to me by @derbyshirehiker) have some exciting seasonal specials including Turkey Popcorn, Camembert and Christmas Sliders.
The Peak District Festive Food Guide
The always lovely, Hobbs Café at Monsal Head has all manner of festive deliciousness, most of which is baked freshly onsite by their talented baker, including festive sausage rolls (flavoured with chestnuts, sage and apricot) and orange and cardamom stolen.
Multi-award-winning, Pub Tours are running a special festive edition of their popular pub tour on Saturday 21st December. Be transported through the beautiful winter scenery of the Peak District National Park, guided through the rich history and nostalgia of the region’s best inns and taverns, all beautifully decorated for Christmas.
Rural microbrewery and freehouse, The Barley Mow in Bonsall, famous for its eclectic décor, live music and festive atmosphere and supercharged luxury mulled wine.
I’ve still not visited myself (yet!) but I only ever hear good things about The Old Smithy at Beeley. Their festive Yorkshire pudding wrap caught my attention but there’s also festive sausage rolls (from 4Eyes, my personal favourite!), mulled wine and decadent hot chocs.
Seek out artisan bakery, The Loaf. Their sage and onion sourdough created by bakery manager, Alistair. Apparently, it’s just like eating stuffing! It’d be particularly delicious for Boxing Day sandwiches filled with leftover turkey and lashings of cranberry sauce – or to elevate a baked Camembert.
Arguably, there’s nothing more festive than an alpine-inspired tipi. Head to Bank House in Hathersage for their ever popular Après Bar with cosy fires and delicious food and drink. Also check out their Bollinger Christmas Menu on 19th December
The Nordic Bar has also returned to Derby city centre. Run by Sami Tipi and Mambo Mobile Bar, fabulously styled by the brilliant Tara Knott and with a full programme of live entertainment, this is a brilliantly festive place for drinks.
Vegan? Figaro Wingerworth is running some beautiful seasonal dishes which change weekly to keep things fresh.
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Look out for my next seasonal round up of the best eating and drinking in Derbyshire.
