A traditional 18th-century pub with rooms, The Pilsley Inn is part of the Chatsworth Estate in Derbyshire. It falls under the Chatsworth Escapes brand which includes the previously-reviewed – and newly-crowned AA Hotel of the Year – The Cavendish at Baslow.
Formerly known as The Devonshire Inn, The Pilsley Inn takes centre stage in the sleepy village of Pilsley, offering a homely retreat that is utterly local and yet also quietly luxurious. Read on to learn more about what you can expect if you’re considering staying in this Peak District haven yourself.
The welcome
Our arrival was somewhat unconventional – we had just completed the Nine Edges Endurance Challenge, a gruelling run of more than 4 hours across the Peak District. We rolled into Pilsley weary, muddy and not at our most glamourous. Yet there were no raised eyebrows – having announced our presence in the pub, we were warmly greeted and personally shown to the Farmhouse annexe at the rear. That simple act — of being guided rather than pointed — immediately spoke volumes. A genuine and personal welcome with the kind of friendliness that holds a village pub toge ther.
The room
Our base for the night was a room named Hill Top. Found on the first floor of the annexe, it is richly decorated in a style that feels both stately and snug in equal meaure. The magnificent four-poster takes the centre stage, but it’s a room large enough to house a luxurious lounge area, writing desk and other furniture.
Through the sash windows, the village comes into view – a series of neat stone cottages and, almost too perfectly, a traditional red phone box. It’s a pictured postcard scene that I’d imagine would delight the inn’s many American guests, though it charmed us every bit as much.
The bathroom
The generously-proportioned en en suite bathroom includes a deep bath and a separate shower, with gowns provided.
A shower is normally all we need but, on this occasion, after a day of hauling ourselves across the Derbyshire edges, the bath won us over.
The toiletries were characteristically Chatsworth: elegant and indulgent – think sweet basil and citrus wash or jasmine and wild pear lotion – yet practical, too.
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The facilities
At its heart, Pilsley remains a village pub. A curved wooden bar is at the heart of the interior, complemented by some old beams, light-coloured walls and exposed stonework, to create an unstuffy and inviting ambience. The pub provides guests with a sense of being woven into village life, even if only for a few nights.
We had dinner there on our second night, enjoying the atmosphere of the roaring log fire and the low chatter of other happy guests.
The menu draws on Chatsworth’s estate produce and the pub’s own immaculate kitchen garden and features traditional British pub fare, but with some modern touches.
Appealing to those looking for classic comfort food alongside a few more contemporary dishes, you’ll find everything from smoked salmon, horseradish crème fraiche, crispy capers and brown bread, to calamari and miso mayonnaise among the starters.
For my main, I had the delicious roast Chatsworth farm beef rump, roast potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, cauliflower cheese, seasonal vegetables and gravy, whilst my wife enjoyed her Chatsworth Farm beef burger with a bacon and tomato relish, brie, brioche bun, chips and salad.
We felt we’d burned off enough calories that weekend that we could afford to share a seasonal crumble rich in damsons and served with ice cream.
Breakfast is also taken in the pub, with the same focus on quality local ingredients. From a full Derbyshire plate to lighter options, everything is freshly prepared to give you a proper start to the day.
The location
Pilsley is a quintessential Peak District village, with gritstone cottages and country lanes. Chatsworth House and Gardens is less than two miles away – a pleasant walk through the estate (beautiful at this time of year with the autumnal colours) – while the Chatsworth Farm Shop is practically on the doorstep.
Chatsworth is well worth a visit, even if you’ve been before, since it continually refreshes its offering with a rolling programme of exhibitions and events. During our visit, a flower exhibition took centre stage with exhibits throughout the house.
Beyond the stately home and its grounds, other parts of Derbyshire beckon: Bakewell (10 minutes) with its pudding and market, and Buxton (30 minutes) with its Georgian architecture. The city of Sheffield, just over the border into South Yorkshire, is also just over half an hour’s drive away.
Pilsley may be small, but its very well positioned for access to the Peak District and its surroundings.
Other nice touches
It is often the small gestures that make the largest impression. Fresh milk in the fridge downstairs -far more civilised than fiddling with UHT pots. Complimentary Chatsworth-branded Belgian chocolate biscuits on arrival and a tea tray stocked with care rather th an indifference. These touches, albeit small, shape the stay into something more memorable than the sum of its parts.
The cost
A night in Hill Top, which is categorised as a Farmhouse Four Poster room, starts at around £260 per night including breakfast, when booked at an advance saver rate.
The best bit
For us, after our exertions at the Nine Edges, things that you might normally take for granted became luxuries. Both the bed and the bath were divine. The former was supremely comfortable and the latter soothed away every ache and strain. To rest and recharge so completely, in such a setting, was nothing short of heavenly.
The final verdict
The Pilsley Inn takes the character of an 18th-century village pub and elevates it with Chatsworth’s polish, producing a place where you can eat well, sleep deeply, and wake to a view that feels unchanged in decades.
Our stay was restorative in every sense, and carrying home a bag of farm shop treats extended the experience a little further. For anyone seeking a luxury that combines tradition with contemporary amenities, Pilsley delivers beautifully.
Dislcosure: Our stay was sponsored by The Pilsley Inn.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson is Editor of A Luxury Travel Blog and has worked in the travel industry for more than 30 years. He is Winner of the Innovations in Travel ‘Best Travel Influencer’ Award from WIRED magazine. In addition to other awards, the blog has also been voted “one of the world’s best travel blogs” and “best for luxury” by The Telegraph.
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