Restaurants in Derbyshire

Dominated by the rugged tourist hot-spots of the Peak District, Derbyshire is also a county of lush Midlands pastures ideally suited to sheep - although pork is the meat of choice among local butchers.

Buxton and other spa towns have exploited the therapeutic qualities of the region's springs for years, and were in forefront of the great bottled water revolution.

The county has produced a number of famous local specialities, notably Bakewell tart and Ashbourne gingerbread - both of which turn up in pubs and hotels.

Restaurant Zest - Derby Since opening its doors in 1998, Zest has rapidly become one of the main players on the Derby restaurant scene. The kitchen works to a regularly changing seasonal repertoire

Darley's Restaurant - Darley Abbey Housed in a renovated building that was a cotton mill in its previous incarnation, the combination of its riverside location and stylish interior design makes for a relaxing yet elegant ambience

Peacock at Rowsley Originally the dower house for nearby Haddon Hall, the Peacock was recently acquired by Haddon's owner Lord Edward Manners and has been inventively refurbished as a small luxury hotel.

Olde Gate Inn - Brassington 'Well-off-the-beaten-track' (to put it mildly!), 'The Gate' is reached via lonely roads with nothing but the hills of the Peak District on either side. Part of the allure is the pub's untarnished atmosphere....