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Castleton is situated in the heart of the Peak National Park, and home to the Blue John gemstone. It is therefore not surprising that the bustling village is often referred to as the gem of the Peak District! Not far from the village market place is The George, a welcoming country inn and pub that offers a wonderful setting to stay, dine, or simply enjoy a relaxing drink in the traditional bar.

The restaurant is well-known for its great food and fine ales, and the emphasis is very much on quality, locally sourced produce, and an enjoyable experience. A selection of home-cooked meals could include Bantry Bay mussels in a creamy white wine sauce, honey roasted ham shank, and a delicious steak and kidney pudding served with chips, vegetables of the day, and homemade beef gravy.

The bar offers one of the finest selections of malt whiskey in England.

The bedrooms are all ensuite and ensure a good nights rest after an enjoyable visit to Castleton.

This delightfully deceptive gem in the middle of the Peak District, looking for all the world like a Tudor Manor House, offers the country house experience par excellence. Under the superb culinary influence of the Michelin-starred Max Fischer and Head Chef Rupert Rowley there is no excuse for not enjoying life to the hilt. A Michelin Star first came to Baslow Hall in 1994, and has been retained with great pride in subsequent years.

Built in 1907, the house is thereby relieved of some of the less attractive aspects of our much loved stately homes, quite apart from enjoying a fortunate location on the edge of the Chatsworth Estate, with a bevy of England's finest historic homes only a short carriage ride away.

Without doubt one of the most memorable features of Baslow Hall is what is on offer in the dining room, with gastronomes the world over returning again and again to enjoy a culinary experience available only to those for whom good food is one of life's greatest attractions.

Surrounded by picturesque walking country, The Red Lion is a 17th century family-run inn close to the beautiful Carsington Water. With a wealth of original features that include beamed ceilings, open fireplaces and church pew seating, the inn is cosy, unique and very inviting.

Three bedrooms keep guests comfortable, and the owners are eager to make sure your stay is as trouble free as possible. Past guests include John F Kennedy Jr and his wife Carolyn Bessette.

The Red Lion's modern British menu offers imaginative interpretations of traditional dishes, well supplemented by good old comfort food. Guests dine in either the oak beamed bar area or the lighter conservatory, where starters of posh mushrooms on toast, and prawns with cucumber never fail to please. Main courses embrace rib-eye steak, fish and chips, and an oven baked fillet of Derbyshire chicken. Don't forget to check the chalkboard for desserts and the day's specials.

A good wine list supports, and well-kept ales are always available.

Start with a cocktail, say a bourbon cookie, cosmopolitan or a parson green apple before tackling some food that will vary from pub to pub. There are bar meals, try lime and coriander chicken in Didsbury, or a more formal approach in restaurant style, what about 21 day hung, 10 oz British sirloin steak in Mayfair, with homemade chocolate brownie, vanilla ice cream and chocolate sauce in Birmingham. In general the menus are very similar, with plenty of choices all round.

There are now over twenty five branches of Pitcher and Piano where you can be assured of the same decent levels of food and drinks, service and quality. Surely that's better than the lucky dip approach?