Crewe & Harpur Arms

If you plan to take a break and enjoy the luxury of fine surroundings and great food, then the Crewe and Harpur Arms can be a great destination. This recently refurbished hotel and restaurant offers very comfortable stay and the option of dining at their cosy bar or elegant restaurant.

The menu here is chiefly inspired by the wealth and variety of fine local produce and, while the dishes are mostly traditional English meals, they are given a creative twist by the energetic kitchen team. The service is informal and friendly, helping guests unwind and enjoy themselves. The owner, Mark, is a talented calligraphist and personally takes care his guests feel welcome. They have also have fine in-house saxophonist who adds to the charm. The efficient staff, with their 'can do' attitude make sure guests and diners have a memorable time.

The bar offers starters like fricassee of woodland mushroom, chicken liver pâté, mussels in a white wine and cream sauce and even mezze, in addition to the usual bar fare of roasted vegetable sandwich and chicken with homemade guacamole.

For the main course you can choose from the staples of steak, pie or stew, ploughman's lunch or mushroom fricassee among other dishes.  Do try the Cajun chicken served with chunky chips and garlic mayonnaise and for an Indian experience, order the curry of the day served with basmati rice and poppadums.

The dinner menu is even heartier with fish cake with lemon butter sauce, half roast duck in whole cherry sauce with vegetables and Thai monkfish broth. Other popular dishes are pan fried guinea fowl breast, vegetables and mushroom served with a foie gras cream sauce and risotto.

The bar has an impressive list of wines and ales to add charm to your meal. The dessert section too is rich and offers a choice of ice creams, puddings and cheesecakes. Some of their desserts, like the Italian rice pudding with mascarpone Ice cream, the banana clafoutis with bitter chocolate ice cream or their blue cheese flavoured ice cream may sound unusual, but they would be a shame to miss as their taste is exotic.

Ensconced in the quaint village of Longnor, this place seems untouched by time. It is the perfect base to explore the Peak District from, and enjoy outdoor activities like hang gliding, exploring caves or rock climbing. So if you like the finer things of life - go ahead and indulge.