Now any visit to the Peak District really should involve a visit to Castleton. Mam Tor (a large hill with an impressive landslide and spectacular views), three caverns (one with a boat ride!) and a castle. The Castle Pub sits.... rather as you'd expect directly at the base of the hill from the actual Castle. Smack in the middle of all the walk routes for the area, a 2 minute walk from the most impressive of the caverns and a 2 minute drive (or a ten minute uphill walk) from Mam Torr.
Now as to the pub, parking is costly as the nearest spaces are the "£4 for as many hours" cavern parking, but if you don't mine the walk theres free parking on the outskirts of town. You'll arrive at a pub with a huge amount of outside seating (the thing that sold me to it initially, over it nearest neighbours. When the temperature dipped a bit (as its want to in april) we headed inside. The pub is remarkably intimate despite its size, lots of side rooms warmed by real wood fires and enclosed in old fashioned dark wood beams. The food, delivered swiftly despite the busy bar was spectacular (though perhaps on the pricey side for the nicest options on the menu). The portions were of a good size and everything was delicious. We felt content to lounge by the fire long after our meal without being hurried along.
I went away very full and very happy with the quality of service. In fact had i been on more than a day trip i could even have stayed, the pub runs an inn with private lounge areas for residents as well !! The only advice i think i owe it to readers to give is don't go eating there if you want to go climbing after, they will fill you with food and good ale and you won't ever want to leave! read more