The Devonshire Arms at Beeley

Another fine member of the Devonshire Hotels & Restaurants stable, Beeley's Devonshire Arms is one of the Duke and Duchess's oldest pubs – and very handsome it is too, its handsome stone facade squarely in the pretty hamlet of Beeley, beside a gurgling stream and just a mile or so from the stately pile of Chatsworth itself. The pub has been here as long as pretty much anyone can remember. And yet, it manages to feel contemporary while remaining reassuringly familiar too. Quite a feat, but one that the Devonshire Estate is rather good at pulling off!

Above all, this hotel is a perfect place to stay close to Chatsworth House, with 18 lovely guest rooms. Categories run from Standard and Classic to Deluxe and Luxury Suites: eight rooms are divided between the pub itself and Brookside House, a short walk away through the garden, while the adjacent Dove Cottage has six rooms, and – the newest addition, One Devonshire Square – boasts four guest rooms, including a pair of luxury suites. The differences are mainly in size, and they all have big comfy beds, thick luxury towels and robes, tea- and coffee-making facilities and en-suite bathrooms. One room – Ashop – is accessible, and the ground floor rooms in Brookside House are dog-friendly.

Once you've settled in, you can relax in the stone-flagged bar with a pint of locally-brewed Chatsworth Gold and a ploughman's. Or why not sit down with a full menu in the AA-rosette Brasserie or outside on the garden terrace. The chef here plunders the lush Derbyshire countryside for top-notch ingredients. The menu changes regularly, but starters might include local trout or rabbit, while mains naturally often incorporate Chatsworth lamb or beef. They also offer hearty pub classics like Chatsworth Gold battered haddock and chips, burgers and ham, egg and chips.

All in all it's a lovely place to come and get cosy in winter, but equally it's a beautiful place to stay  in the height of summer, when you really can explore the delights of Derbyshire and the Peak District.