The Barrel Inn

Fabulous stay in this beautiful pub Such an idyllic setting with stunning views We were also treated to snow and ice ! We had a lovely couple of days in a comfy room with friendly staff and great food Good choice of food in the evening and on Sunday lunchtime Breakfast was lovely with food presented well and plentiful Staff very responsive and friendly Thank you We will be back

Fabulous food, cozy comfy room, friendly staff and brilliant attention to detail. We loved it. My daughter and I stayed overnight before a bit walk in the Peaks. We arrived in the middle of a massive storm and it was so such a treat to receive such a warm welcome.

6 of us stayed over for 3 nights in 3 rooms, dined in every night and it was fabulous, both accommodation and food. First, location, up high above Foolow on the boundary of White Peak area and Dark Peak with only a couple of other houses, a gorgeous, unspoiled view from the tables and benches outside; an information board tells you what you see, some history and geography and what is hidden below ground. Lovely for walkers and even non-walkers will enjoy a stroll up the lane towards Sir William Hill (very little traffic). Good base for touring too; the well-known village of Eyam is 7 minutes by car, Tideswell with its huge 14th-century church is 9 minutes, Bakewell 16 minutes, Chatsworth and Castleton each about 20 minutes (in opposite directions) and Ladybower Reservoir about half an hour. Big car park. The restaurant is often full so if you are staying do make sure you reserve a table in advance for dining in. This is a 'free house' in private ownership, not part of a chain. There are 5 rooms. We had the three biggest (Barrel, Puncheon and Hogshead); all appeared to be newly-refurbished to a very high standard, were sparkling clean and of a good size with everything you could wish for including a sofa, big TV, free wifi, tea/ coffee facilities and mineral water, nice toiletries, hairdryer, iron and ironing board. Hogshead had a bath as well as a shower but like Puncheon had some sloping ceilings, also outside access, so from those perspectives I felt Barrel was the best, though without the bath. Three-course breakfasts (included in the price) were superb, cooked to order, full English of course but smoked salmon or smashed avocado were also available, as well as yoghourt, fruit salad, toast etc. Service was between 8.30 and 9.30 which was a rather narrow window though I believe if an early breakfast was required for some reason it might be possible to arrange that. Such friendly service it set us up for the day. Dinner in the (busy) restaurant to die for; couldn't fault it in any way. I would specially recommend the lamb rump and the haddock and chips and the desserts, sticky toffee pudding of course but also the best treacle tart I ever tasted, dark, properly sticky and flavoured with orange zest. Everything was served promptly, hot and beautifully presented. There were a couple of vegetarian main courses and one of our party with a light appetite was well provided for. I suppose the menu may change slightly from time to time, according to the season. I believe the restaurant is also open for lunch, with sandwiches available 12 -2 pm on Mondays - Saturdays. If I had one quibble it was that every inch of space was taken with dining tables (understandably, when they are so popular they are turning people away) so there was nowhere, except in the rooms, or on the benches outside, that the six of us could gather just to relax and make plans. But it wasn't a big deal. I would book again in a heartbeat.