The smell of woodsmoke and hoppy ale drifts from the stone-built inn as you step into the cobbled courtyard, the dark outline of Kinder Scout filling the horizon beyond.
This is one for couples seeking a proper Peak District base without the tent pegs — think camping pods for those who want the outdoors close but a solid roof overhead, plus traditional guest house rooms if you're after full creature comforts. The Hope Valley delivers straight from the doorstep: walkers tackling the Pennine Way, climbers heading for Stanage, anyone who wants high moorland and deep valleys without the drive. Dogs are welcome by arrangement, so worth asking ahead if you've got a four-legged hiking companion.
It's a working inn at heart, so expect a convivial atmosphere rather than wilderness solitude. Campfires are a possibility but check when you arrive — rules vary depending on conditions and where you're pitched. Open year-round, which means cosy winter escapes are on the cards when the hills wear snow and the fire's roaring inside.