Red Lion Bar & Bistro

With an assured blend of smartness & informality, this tastefully designed venue has garnered strong support & local punters approve of its foodie credentials. The bar exudes a dark, burnished warmth, with cask beers, open fires, low lighting & leather sofas adding to the laid-back feel. Food & service are spot-on, & the kitchen makes the most of thoughtfully sourced ingredients for a raft of unaffected dishes: scallops with crispy homemade black pudding, roast garlic purée & pea shoot salad is simplicity itself, while seasonal game is also a star turn – perhaps Chatsworth pheasant or a brilliant dish of wild duck breast stuffed with cabbage, bacon & silverskin onions, wrapped in puff pastry with wild mushrooms. Specials add daily interest & there’s textbook Bakewell tart to finish – if you have room. Chatsworth & the Peak District are on the doorstep, so it’s worth booking for the weekend.