The Peacock

Tucked away inside the historic Old Market Hall on Bridge Street, The Peacock brings together traditional British pub hospitality, modern en-suite accommodation, and an honest, ingredient-led dining menu right in the center of Bakewell, Derbyshire. We occupy a thoughtfully converted 200-year-old stable building, and the character comes through in every room: exposed beams, original stonework, and the kind of cozy nooks and crannies that feel reassuringly Peak District. Whether you are stopping by for a pint of locally brewed ale after a walk on the Monsal Trail, settling in for a full Sunday roast with the family, or booking one of our comfortable double or four-poster bedrooms for a long weekend, our team’s priority is making sure you feel genuinely looked after—what we call five-star customer service delivered with a friendly, down-to-earth manner.

From the first morning coffee to a nightcap by the fire, everything we do circles back to the idea of a home away from home. The kitchen team sources from nearby Derbyshire farms and producers, turning out pub classics such as beer-battered fish and chips and slow-cooked lamb shank alongside daily specials and seasonal plates. Upstairs, each of the eight individually designed guest rooms offers modern comforts—flat-screen TVs with Sky, fast WiFi, tea-and-coffee trays, and crisp en-suite bathrooms—while retaining the building’s period charm. Because we sit squarely on Bridge Street, the shops, tearooms, and river walks of Bakewell are all just a few steps from the front door, and Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, and the dramatic landscapes of the Peak District National Park are only a short drive away.

Rooms & Suites

A restful night’s sleep is at the heart of any great Peak District break, and the guest rooms at The Peacock are designed to deliver exactly that. The building’s listed, centuries-old fabric means no two rooms are alike, but every space shares a common commitment to quality. Guests can choose from standard double en-suite rooms starting at £99 per night, super-king en-suite rooms, or the more indulgent four-poster en-suite rooms priced from £120 per night. All eight rooms include modern en-suite bath- or shower-rooms, a hospitality tray with a varied tea and coffee selection, flat-screen televisions with the full Sky package, and free high-speed WiFi. Period features such as exposed beams and stone accents are balanced with contemporary touches, creating spaces that feel both historically rich and practically comfortable.

Room Highlights

• Double En-Suite Rooms: Cozy and well-appointed, ideal for couples or solo travellers exploring Bakewell and the surrounding dales. Expect the same Sky TV, tea tray, and WiFi that larger rooms offer.
• Super-King En-Suite: Generous proportions with a super-king bed, designed for those who want extra space to unwind after a day of hiking, cycling, or sightseeing in the Peak District.
• Four-Poster En-Suite: The building’s signature rooms. A romantic four-poster bed, character-rich original features, and premium linens make these the accommodation of choice for anniversaries, birthdays, or simply treating yourself to a touch of luxury in Bakewell.

Pub & Dining

The ground-floor bar and dining area is the lively heart of The Peacock, where the bar team pulls a carefully curated range of cask ales from local Derbyshire breweries and a stout selection of wines and continental lagers. The atmosphere is relaxed and convivial—equally suited to a quick post-walk pint or a leisurely three-course dinner. Our kitchen philosophy is straightforward: start with quality local produce, treat it with respect, and serve dishes that people actually want to eat. The menu walks the line between crowd-pleasing pub classics and more considered daily specials, so you will always find something familiar alongside a seasonal surprise.

Menu Staples & Specials

Regulars and first-time visitors consistently point to the beer-battered fish and chips and the rib-eye steak as standout choices—huge portion sizes, well-executed, and excellent value. On Sundays, the kitchen goes all-in on a traditional Sunday lunch that has built a loyal local following. Lighter options, sandwiches, and children’s meals are always available, and the kitchen is happy to accommodate dietary needs whenever possible. Because the menu changes with the seasons, a summer visit might bring Peak District lamb with fresh garden vegetables, while autumn and winter plates lean toward slow-braised meats, root vegetables, and rich, warming sauces.

Why Guests Choose The Peacock

Bakewell has no shortage of places to eat and sleep, so we work hard to give visitors clear reasons to choose The Peacock. The location is a major factor: we are positioned directly on Bridge Street in the town center, meaning the famous Bakewell pudding shops, the riverside walks by the Wye, and the Monday morning cattle market are all within a two-minute stroll. At the same time, the Peak District’s major attractions—Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall, the Monsal Trail, Mam Tor, and Winnats Pass—are reachable in under twenty minutes by car. On evenings when you would rather leave the car parked, the surrounding villages of Buxton, Rowsley, and Ashford-in-the-Water offer their own pubs, tearooms, and breweries worth exploring.

Beyond location, it is the genuine warmth of the welcome that guests mention time and again. Our small, close-knit team takes personal pride in remembering faces, anticipating needs, and making sure that every stay feels more like visiting friends than checking into a hotel. Cleanliness, comfort, and good food are the minimum; the little extra touches—fresh milk in the room tray, a cheerful chat at the breakfast table, a chef who steps out to check that your steak was cooked just right—are what bring people back.

Services & Facilities

We keep the facilities straightforward, practical, and reliably available. Free WiFi covers every corner of the building, from the cellar bar to the top-floor four-poster rooms. The full Sky TV package in each guest room means you never miss a match or a movie. Tea- and coffee-making facilities are refreshed daily, and the housekeeping team maintains consistently high standards of cleanliness throughout the inn. While we are unable to guarantee on-site parking due to our central location, affordable off-site overnight parking is available from 6:00 PM to 8:00 AM Monday through Saturday at a nominal charge, and clear directions are provided at check-in. For business travellers attending meetings in Bakewell or the wider Derbyshire area, the combination of reliable WiFi, a quiet workspace upon request, and an excellent breakfast makes The Peacock a comfortable alternative to larger chain hotels.

Serving Bakewell & The Peak District

The Peacock is proud to play a small part in Bakewell’s centuries-old tradition of hospitality. The Old Market Hall that houses us has been a commercial and social hub for generations, and our ongoing renovations over the past few years have been guided by a respect for that heritage. We work alongside other local businesses—farmers, brewers, butchers, and artisans—to keep our supply chain as local as possible. This not only supports the regional economy but also ensures that the food on the plate and the ale in the glass genuinely reflect the tastes of Derbyshire.

Visitors come to this corner of England for different reasons: hardcore hikers tackling the Pennine Way, couples looking for a romantic weekend break, families exploring the Christmas market, and curious food lovers chasing the next great Sunday roast. Whatever brings you through the door, we aim to meet you where you are—whether that means a quiet early breakfast before a long day on the trails, a celebratory dinner with Champagne and four-poster finery, or a couple of well-kept pints and a plate of fish and chips after a wander through the market square.

Hours, Location & Directions

We are open for lunch and dinner service throughout the week, with our famous Sunday lunch served all afternoon. Exact kitchen hours vary by season, so we always recommend calling ahead or checking the website for the most current timings. The building is easy to find: follow signs to Bakewell town center, and you will spot The Peacock directly on Bridge Street, occupying a prominent position on the ground floor of The Old Market Hall (DE45 1DS). There is a pay-and-display car park within a two-minute walk for daytime arrivals, and we advise guests with heavy bags to pull up briefly outside the front door before parking. For those arriving by public transport, Bakewell is well served by bus routes from Chesterfield, Matlock, and Buxton, and the closest railway stations are Matlock and Chesterfield, both a short taxi or bus ride away.