Day 1. A winter break in the Derbyshire Peak District

On By Little Miss TravellerIn Chesterfield 2023, Derbyshire, The Midlands, United Kingdom

We planned another winter break to the Peak District National Park, this time basing ourselves just outside Chesterfield.  The area is located high on the moors and surrounded by dramatic rocky scenery.  Although rugged and rural it’s easily accessible being just 12 miles from J29 of the M1.

Stanedge Golf Club
Stanedge Golf Club

Before checking into our accommodation we called into Stanedge Golf Club which is located nearby.  Approached along a narrow lane just off the main Darley Road, the club enjoys an idyllic setting.  We’d actually pre-booked a golf lesson but unfortunately the weather wasn’t on our side and the course was closed that day.  Our disappointment didn’t last long though as we were warmly welcomed into the cosy clubhouse and soon afterwards were tucking into their award winning bacon baps which were extremely tasty.

Tyzack's Bar and Restaurant, Stanedge Golf Club
Tyzack’s Bar and Restaurant,

The clubhouse is home to Tyzack’s Bar and Restaurant where everyone is welcome and you don’t need to be a member to call in.  The dining area is pleasantly styled with checked upholstered seating.  The varied menu is reasonably priced and ranges from breakfasts to hearty lunch options including pie of the day, skewers and burgers.  With barista coffee and a wide selection of drinks from the bar it’s a great place to call in if you’ve been out walking on the moors as it has a large car park.

Tyzack's Bar and Restaurant, Stanedge Golf Club
Tyzack’s Bar and Restaurant

From the clubhouse windows there are stunning views across the parkland course which is beautifully maintained and was looking immaculate even in mid-winter.  Sharing a coffee with Claire, the club manager, she explained that the course suits all levels of ability with coaching opportunities available from individual to small group.  Hopefully we’ll get back in the summer to be able to enjoy our lesson then as when I was in Lapland last summer I visited Levi Golf Club in northern Finland and you can read about my golf lesson here.

Stanedge Golf Club, Derbyshire
Practice greens, Stanedge Golf Club

On leaving, the rain had eased slightly so we were able to take a few photos of the course before getting back into the car and driving the short distance to the Peak Edge Hotel where we had arranged to stay for the next two nights.

Peak Edge Hotel, Stone Edge, Derbyshire
The Peak Edge Hotel

The hotel’s history dates back to 1788 with a small pub on the edge of the Derbyshire Peak District.  It’s where the current owner grew up and after his father restored the pub in the 1960’s it has more recently been extended into a luxurious hotel and rural retreat.

Peak Edge Hotel, Stone Edge, Derbyshire
Our superior room at the Peak Edge Hotel

Just expecting to drop off our bags, we were delighted to discover that our room was ready and Josh on reception soon had us checked in and in no time at all we were settling into our superior room with its sumptuous furnishings.  With a Juliet balcony boasting views across the hotel’s grounds and a spacious room with a refined country house feel, we felt very cosy despite the miserable wintry weather outdoors.  After making ourselves cups of tea and relaxing in the comfortable armchairs awhile we ventured out again into nearby Chesterfield.

Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield
Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield

We’d been invited to an afternoon of tea tasting at Northern Tea Merchants about a 15 minute walk from the town centre.  The tea merchants/cafe has its own large car park so we didn’t need to search for anywhere to leave the car.  The family run business was established in 1926 and through the generations the family have sourced the finest tea, coffee and cocoa worldwide.  Director and owner, James Pogson regularly travels to plantations around the world to purchase what he believes to be the best teas available.  Today the business supplies more than 3,000 establishments with its high quality products.

Afternoon tea at Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield
Afternoon tea at Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield

Before our tea tasting experience we enjoyed afternoon tea in their charming tearooms.  The cafe is traditionally furnished, decorated with tea and coffee pots and has friendly, welcoming staff.  Although it’s located on the edge of town, it’s a popular place for locals and visitors to pop in for lunch or afternoon tea.  I can’t resist a traditional afternoon tea and the one at Northern Tea Merchants was up with the best.

Delicious home baked scones at Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield
Our delicious home baked scones served with jam and clotted cream

With over 90 teas to choose from and the aroma of speciality roasted coffees we were spoilt for choice.  The cafe incorporates a shop with their vast selection of teas and hand selected coffee beans freshly roasted in house lining the walls.  These are all beautifully packaged with an outline of Chesterfield’s famous crooked spire on the front.  As well as a large book detailing each variety, helpful assistants are on hand with recommendations depending on preferred strengths, aromas and flavours.

Tea and coffee pots adorn the walls at Northern Tea Merchants Cafe
Tea and coffee pots adorn the walls at Northern Tea Merchants Cafe

Pots of loose tea arrived first and we were informed that we could have unlimited refills whenever we wished.  After enjoying a refreshing cup of Earl Grey, our three tier cake stand arrived filled to the brim with dainty crust-less finger sandwiches, large fruit scones with individual pots of clotted cream and raspberry jam and if that wasn’t enough the top tier was filled with an assortment of delicious cakes.

The large selection of teas and coffees on sale at Northern Tea Merchants
The large selection of teas and coffees on sale at Northern Tea Merchants

It felt blissful sitting in the window of the cafe slowly working our way through the delicious selection set out in front of us.  We couldn’t manage to eat it all so our lovely waitress popped the leftovers into a box for us to take away and enjoy later.  That was just as it should be with a perfect afternoon tea, plenty of choice but with slightly too much on offer resulting in an extra supper time treat.

Tea tasting at Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield
Tea tasting at Northern Tea Merchants

Filled with tea, cakes and sandwiches we were then introduced to owner/director James Pogson who invited us into the tea tasting room upstairs.  We sampled a range of ten varieties of tea learning how to slurp a spoonful around our mouths before swallowing to extract the flavour.

Tea tasting, Northern Tea Merchants
Tea tasting at Northern Tea Merchants

Our tea tasting began with the mild Kukicha Japanese tea and we gradually worked our way along the line of Gunpowder, mid-season Darjeeling, traditional breakfast tea, an Assam Tippy Orthodox from Northern India through to Rose Congou, Red Berry Mix and finally ending with a smoky Lapsang Souchon.  It was very interesting and we learnt so much.  I will definitely be more adventurous and rather than sticking with my normal range of English Breakfast, Earl Grey and Green tea, I’ll be drinking more of these delicious varieties in the future.  I asked about views on adding milk and whether it detracted from the flavour as I always add milk to my tea except when drinking green or fruit teas.  The response was that it was just a matter of taste and the most important thing is to simply enjoy your favourite cuppa.

Some of the coffees on offer at Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield
Some of the coffees on offer at Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield

We learnt that the company have been producing tea bags for over 50 years and that they pack enough tea each day to fill a staggering 3 million cups each week in addition to roasting around 300 tonnes of speciality coffees every year.  If ever you are in the Chesterfield area, I’d definitely recommend popping in for a bite to eat and to pick up some of their teas and coffees.  They also sell online and more details can be found here.

Bathroom, Peak Edge Hotel
Bathroom, Peak Edge Hotel

Darkness had fallen whilst we were indoors so we decided to postpone our look around the charming market town of Chesterfield to the last day of our visit.  Back at the hotel I luxuriated in the deep slipper bath pampering myself with the fragrant toiletries supplied.

Bar lounge, Peak Edge Hotel, Stone Edge
The cosy bar lounge

After a little rest we took the lift downstairs to enjoy dinner in the hotel’s Red Lion Restaurant.  With roaring log fires to curl up around in the bar whilst sipping glasses of wine, we perused the menu and a little later were taken into the restaurant which oozed rustic charm.  During the evening we were looked after by Chloé and our starters of pan fried scallops and Thai fish cakes were both delicious and flavoursome.

Red Lion Restaurant, Peak Edge Hotel
The attractive Red Lion Restaurant

For mains I couldn’t resist the rack of lamb which was served pink just as I like it and was extremely tender.  Across the table my husband was also enthusing about his venison served on a bed of winter vegetables.

Rack of Lamb, Red Lion Restaurant, Peak Edge Hotel
My succulent rack of lamb in the hotel’s Red Lion Restaurant

As is usually the case, we couldn’t resist a dessert and surprisingly we both opted for apple dishes –  apple and plum crumble served with vanilla ice cream for me and tarte tatin for Mr. C.  These were both mouth-watering and perfect comfort food for wintry weather.

Peak Edge Hotel, Stone Edge
Our room at the Peak Edge Hotel

Back in our room we relaxed with cups of coffee and I read a few pages of my new Isabel Dalhousie novel before bed.

If you have enjoyed reading this post you may also like:

The Peak District – Exploring Bakewell and Buxton

Treak Cliff Cavern & The Monsal Trail, Peak District

 

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58 thoughts on “Day 1. A winter break in the Derbyshire Peak District”

  1. I’m sure I would enjoy the beautiful scenery of the Peak District, but what really caught my eye was the amazing afternoon tea! I also love a traditional tea and the one offered by the Northern Tea merchants looks to be one of the best.

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  15. It’s too bad that your golf lesson was cancelled because of the weather, but at least you were still able to check out the clubhouse. Going for an afternoon tea tasting sounds like the perfect way to spend the rest of the day avoiding the rain. I’m a big tea drinker so naturally my interest piqued at their impressively large tea collection.

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    1. Yes, it was a shame about our golf lesson but there will be other times so it wasn’t too bad. Instead, we seemed to spend the day eating what with our yummy bacon baps in the club house, afternoon tea and tea tasting in Chesterfield then a delicious dinner at the hotel! A hike was definitely needed! Thanks for your comments and enjoy a good weekend.

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    1. The tea tasting and afternoon tea were both lovely and although it was a little disappointing about our golf lessons, hopefully we can book another sometime. Thanks for taking the time to comment and best wishes fir a good weekend, Marion

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  20. Sad that the weather kept you from your golf game. But the tea tasting would be a great time! That shop looks really lovely. I really enjoy tea and I’m always trying to find good tea to enjoy. Tea variety here is limited. If you ask for tea they will serve it cold and serve it sweet and then look at you funny if you ask for something different. 🙂

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  21. I just love your hotel room, Marion! Do you suppose I could order that incredible afternoon tea spread online? Probably not, but how lovely it looked. Someday I’m going to have a traditional English tea – in England! I am looking forward to all of your Peak District posts.

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  25. As a big tea drinker I believe that a warm cup of tea is the best way to start and end a day, and at the right moment it can do wonders for your overall well-being. Even during the summer’s heatwave, I need my hot mug of herbal tea. Therefore, I would be very keen on stopping by the Northern Tea Merchants to see what they have in store. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx

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  27. Golf courses are always located in the most beautiful areas … and it seems Stanedge Golf Club are no exception! Oh nice, tea tasting – I would love that (as well as the delicious scones that go with it)! Here in SA, Rooibos tea is very popular and I have a large selection in our pantry. As always, you have chosen a beautiful place to spend the night … and I would be very happy with such a delicious looking rack of lamb too!

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    1. Stanedge Golf Course is located in an idyllic location and we enjoyed our visit despite being unable to take part in our planned lesson. Afternoon tea in Chesterfield was delicious and also to learn about many interesting teas that we hadn’t sampled previously. Thank you for your interest Corna and I hope you have a good weekend.

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  29. What a beauty in the Derbyshire Peak District, despite the dreary skies– goes to show that there’s a somber beauty to the English countryside! That piece of lamb you had looks absolutely divine, and I hope to head over to the Derbyshire Peak District some day! Thanks for sharing, Marion. 🙂

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