The Peacock at Rowsley

In well-kept gardens reaching to the River Derwent, where wild trout dart through the water, this stylish 17th-century manor house is run with ‘high standards’. Owners Lord and Lady Edward Manners live at nearby Haddon Hall; the staff are ‘friendly’, ‘efficient’, ‘helpful’. Choose among individually styled bedrooms, each with a modern marble bathroom and an antique piece or two. (Rooms facing the busy road have double-glazed windows.) ‘Overlooking the garden, our lovely, quiet, superior room had a good-sized bathroom with plenty of storage space (though the shower could have had better water pressure).’ Eat in: chef Dan Smith’s ‘generously portioned’ modern dishes are ‘first class’. ‘We enjoyed a tender venison cobbler; lamb rump came with a brilliant dish of peas, lettuce and baby onions braised with cured lamb belly – the tastiest vegetable dish I’ve ever had.’ ‘Excellent’, sophisticated pub classics (burgers and wild garlic gnocchi among them) may be taken in the bar with a local ale or custom cocktail. Don’t forget Fido: dogs are welcomed with treats and a bowl, even a biscuit at turn-down. (PA, and others)