The Peacock

Stylish historic hotel perfectly placed in the heart of the Peak District and renowned for its innovative cuisine and fly-fishing

To paraphrase Jane Austen, it is a truth universally acknowledged that those in possession of a fine sensibility should be in want of an excellent place to stay. The Pride and Prejudice cast, who recently lodged here, would concur. A manor house dating from 1652 and the former dower house for Haddon Hall, The Peacock opened as 'probably the oldest hotel in the world' in 1820. Sited in the village of Rowsley at the confluence of the Rivers Derwent and Wye, it's an established base for exploring the Peak District, as well as for some of the best fly-fishing in the UK.

After a lapse of 45 years Lord Edward Manners (owner of Haddon Hall) recently reacquired the hotel and hired Paris-based interior designer India Mahdavi to give it a stylish makeover. The result is a stunning yet comfortable marriage of traditional and contemporary design. Mullion windows, antiques and arts and crafts furniture sit alongside modern lighting and gorgeous furnishings. Meanwhile the managers, Jenni and Ian, have transformed the Peacock into a renowned gastronomic destination, with impeccable hospitality.

Highs

• The cosy bar and restaurant serve inventive, beautifully presented food
• The stylish interiors mix old and new
• The Peak District offers some of Britain's finest walking terrain
• Guests get discounted entrance to 2 of Britain's most impressive stately homes, Chatsworth and Haddon Hall
• The hotel owns a 7-mile stretch along the Rivers Wye and Derwent, famous for their wild rainbow trout

Lows

• The A6 runs through the small village by the front of the hotel, however, it's only a single carriageway and not too noisy
• The bathrooms are a tad small and nothing special
• While the buffet breakfast is lavish, it does seem churlish to charge extra for cooked items