The Peacock at Rowsley

Foodies and fishing folk, hikers and bikers flock to this 17th-century manor house in the Peak District national park. Owned by Lord and Lady Edward Manners of Haddon Hall, the hotel is full of tradition, with a beamed bar, four-posters in some of the bedrooms and paintings of aristocrats hanging on the walls. Readers returning after four years declare it ‘better than ever’. While some come to fish for wild trout in the Derbyshire Wye, others are more interested in the seafood on their plate – ‘the best fish and chips in a long time’. Dan Smith’s dishes get a huge thumbs up, whether you go for gourmet or cheaper options in the bar, where a reader enjoyed ‘extremely tender shoulder of lamb, sublime lemon tart’. ‘The big bonus was dinner – an interesting selection, well cooked and presented,’ another reader writes. There are minor niggles about the ‘comfortable, country style’ bedrooms (‘a bit old style … very small bathroom’), but they’re classy, clean and, in a heatwave, thank goodness for air conditioning! ‘Staff are warm and efficient.’ There are lovely walks from the door. (Peter Anderson, Peter and Anne Davies, F and IW)