Once the dower house attached to lordly Haddon Hall, this deeply comfortable hotel and restaurant is everything you might expect from a stone-walled dwelling dating back to 1652 – nooks, crannies, curious corridors and roaring fires abound. The menu promises food with a locally sourced, rustic bent, but with some deft modernist touches to boot. Our favourite is the fillet of Derbyshire beef served with a tender piece of glazed brisket, grilled onions, smoky mash, salsify and turnip tops – all rounded off with a subtle red wine sauce. The crisp-skinned Goosnargh chicken accompanied by asparagus stalks and a fat spinach-packed raviolo is another fine plateful, while desserts might feature peach and lemongrass pannacotta with nectarine sorbet. You can also order ‘classic dishes’ from the bar – perhaps cured organic salmon with marinated fennel or sweetcorn risotto topped with a crispy quail’s egg and truffle cream. With its rich history and architecture, The Peacock makes for a fascinating trip amid the beautiful surrounds of the Peak District.