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Dating from 1652, The Peacock is furnished with antiques and set in beautiful gardens leading down to the banks of the River Derwent, where you might enjoy a spot of trout fishing. It has been a hotel since the 1830s and is part of the Haddon Estate, formerly owned by Lord and Lady Edward Manners who live at nearby Haddon Hall.

This luxury Peak District hotel began life as a manor house in the late 1600s and has been a beacon of hospitality ever since. Located in the beautiful Peak District National Park, the family-owned hotel is an ideal base from which to explore and discover all that the area has to offer.

Meet the Chef

Head Chef at The Peacock is Dan Smith, who started his career at L’Ortorlan when he was just 17 and then worked at the Landmark in Marylebone, at The Greenhouse in Mayfair and for Tom Aikens in Chelsea (Michelin-starred chef and owner of Tom’s Kitchen).

Dan uses fresh ingredients from the Haddon Estate (on which The Peacock is located) including organically-reared beef and lamb, along with beef, lamb and pork from E. W. Coates in Two Dales and Hancock’s in Stoney Middleton in Derbyshire.

In his time as Head Chef at The Peacock, Dan has earnt the restaurant three AA rosettes, putting it in the top ten percent of Great British restaurants.

Foodies

The Peak District is renowned for its breath-taking moors, beautiful springs and magnificent caverns and, with over 10 million visitors every year it’s not surprising that the region has an array of local farm shops, specialist suppliers and tea shops that range from traditional to quirky.

No visit to The Peacock is complete without sampling the fantastic menus created by Head Chef Dan Smith and his team, which have earned the restaurant its 3 AA Rosettes.  Serving only carefully-sourced meats, usually Haddon Estate’s own organically-raised livestock, The Peacock at Rowsley prides itself on its use of quality, seasonal ingredients.  Do try the succulent pan-fried fillet of Derbyshire beef, served with braised ribs, smoked mash, and a rich, red wine sauce.

If you’d like to take some of the excellent local meats home for your own culinary creations, then venture to Hancock’s butchers in nearby Stoney Middleton, or to E. W. Coates’ in Two Dales, a 7 minute drive away. For a wide selection of fresh farm ingredients, we recommend visiting The Chatsworth Farm shop; established in 1977 and acknowledged as the region’s leading farm shop. Along with local beef, lamb, venison and pheasant, you’ll find a huge range of breads, tarts, traditional pies, pâtés, and a phenomenal 104 types of cheese. The adjoining restaurant is equally impressive, using fresh ingredients in hearty, wholesome dishes.

During your stay at The Peacock, it’s a mere 8 minutes’ drive to visit the quaint town of Bakewell, where there’s much to tempt you at the famous farmers’ market. It’s typically held on the last Saturday of every month at the District Council’s Agricultural Business Centre and attracts over 5,000 visitors to the 70 stalls selling a delectable range of homemade goods such as ciders and wines, homemade jams and marmalades, fresh fruit and vegetables, homemade sweet and savoury pies and fresh, ready-to-eat crepes. As well as featuring the biggest livestock auction in the UK, the market also sells everything from Russian and Indian cuisine to chopping boards and wicker baskets!

Bakewell village is also a lovely place to pause for a while. As the birth-place of the well-loved oval-shaped, pastry-encased, jammy Bakewell Pudding, it’s rare not to find a café that doesn’t have it on the menu. Ye Olde Bakewell Pudding Shop in The Square is a firm favourite: a beautiful, cottage-style shop selling a scrumptiously sugary version of the pudding.

As you might expect, Bakewell is home to some delightful tea rooms. The quirky Lavender Tea Room in Hebden Court sells really tasty homemade fishcakes, and a deliciously rich Welsh Rarebit. Alternatively, Wyes Waters Tea Rooms on Granby Road is a real favourite, with new, delicious homemade pies on offer daily.

If you have time – and an appetite – for more, take a stroll through Lathkill Dale, stunning countryside only an hour and a half away from The Peacock on foot. From there, you can cross the river and stroll for 50 minutes north to arrive at Bakewell, home of the Garden Tea Room. This is a divine spot to take a break after a long walk with stunning views over the Dale. From classic chocolate cake to coconut cake or lemon drizzle cake, the selection includes all the nation’s favourites, and they have a well-deserved reputation for very generous portions and exceptionally low prices. And, if you’re accompanied by your four-legged friend, then The Tea Room is not only dog friendly, there’s also some great doggy treats!

Haddon Hall is another must-see for any visitors interested in history, relics or architecture, and is only 12 minutes in the car from The Peacock. The extraordinary Tudor Manor House sits amongst beautiful gardens and spectacular countryside views, and boasts a wealth of ancient history. Their restaurant, with views over the estate and the River Wye, also comes highly recommended, serving everything from a light afternoon tea and cakes to homemade, smoked goat’s cheese, spinach and red onion chutney quiche.

The Peacock at Rowsley has fifteen individually furnished bedrooms.

All rooms contain Blenheim Bouquet by Penhaligans toiletries, a choice of duvet or blankets, flat screen TVs, tea and coffee making facilities, an evening turndown service, room service and free Wi-Fi.

To book a stay at The Peacock at Rowsley, please click here.

Explore the area:

Just 10 minutes down the road is the stunning Haddon Hall, described as ‘the most perfect house to survive from the middle ages’, it never fails to enchant its visitors. Set in the heart of the beautiful Peak District National Park, parts of the house date from the 12th Century, sitting like a jewel in its Elizabethan terraced gardens, and overlooking the River Wye.

Only a stone’s throw from The Peacock is Chatsworth House, where you can discover fascinating historic stories and enjoy one of Europe’s most significant art collections, before discovering the 105 acres of garden with giant water features, sculpture, beautiful flowers and magnificent views of the park.

At Crich National Tramway Village you can step back in time at the award-winning museum that takes you on a mile-long scenic journey through a period street to open countryside with panoramic views over the Derwent Valley. Taking a ride on the vintage tram is an absolute must!

Nearby is also the fascinating underground Blue John Caverns – great on a rainy day!

Recommended Local Attractions

• Chatsworth House – 10 mins
• Haddon Hall – 5 mins
• Crich National Tramway Village – 15 mins
• Blue John Caverns – 30 mins  

Retail Therapy

• Bakewell – 8 mins Matlock – 15 mins
• Chesterfield – 25 mins

All timings denote typical journey time by car, unless specified otherwise.