Derbyshire Pub Walks

Nestled in the heart of England, Derbyshire and the Peak District offers some of the most picturesque walks in the UK. Whether you're exploring rolling hills, charming villages or expansive reservoirs, there's nothing better than rounding off your adventure with a visit to a cosy pub. We've also included some dog friendly too for your four-legged friends.

Our blog features some of the best Peak District and Derbyshire walks, including the stunning Carsington Water, with recommendations for nearby pubs to complete your day. These pub walks make for a great day out during your stay at Knockerdown Cottages.

Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles)

Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

Carsington Water, a reservoir just a 5-minute walk away from Knockerdown Cottages, is surrounded by a scenic trail offering views of the water, wildlife and wooded sections. The circular path is well-maintained, suitable for walkers of all levels, and ideal for families and dogs.

The 12km walk takes you all around the reservoir and is a great blend of nature and ease. With several picnic spots and visitor facilities along the way, it's as convenient and it is beautiful. For those looking for a shorter walk at Carsington Water, there is also 1.5km and 5km walking routes.

Dog friendly pubs nearby the route:

• The Knockerdown Inn - Just a short stroll from the Carsington Water route and across the road from us, this charming county pub offers hearty meals, local ales and a warm welcome. Its large beer garden is perfect for sunny days. Dogs are welcome in the pub and beer garden but aren't allowed in the restaurant area.
• The Miners Arms - Located nearby to Brassington, this family-owned traditional pub prides itself on fresh food and supporting local farmers and suppliers to ensure they provide the best quality. Situated on the footpath around Carsington Water, they welcome families, walers and well-behaved dogs.

Distance: 12km (7.5 miles)

Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Moderate/Hard

Starting at the Middleton Top Visitor Centre, this circular walk takes you onto part of the High Peak Trail, a former railway line offering breathtaking views of the Derbyshire countryside. The route winds through fields and alongside the remnants of Derbyshire's industrial past, including the historic Hopton incline, one of the steepest stretches of railway in the UK. It was so steep that trains had to be hauled up using a stationary steam engine, and today the incline provides a glimpse back into the engineering feats of the 19^th century. Start by heading away from the visitor centre; if you start going down the steep incline, you've gone the wrong way.

Combining Derbyshire heritage and stunning scenery, the walk takes you through parts of the High Peak Trail, the village of Hopton, and the market town of Wirksworth, making for a great walking day out with fantastic stops along the way. There is also a longer route available which takes you around Carsington Water, taking about 5-6 hours and covering 24.9km (15.5 miles), making it the longest walk featured in this blog.

Pubs along the route or nearby:

• The Lime Kiln - This grade II listed pub offers a warm and inviting atmosphere with a modern interior and a small pool room. To the rear, they have a unique large area called 'Rock Face' which is a former quarry with steep rock walls and is used for occasional events that can be found on their social media.
• The Miners Arms
• The Knockerdown Inn

Distance: 13.5km (8.4 miles)

Time: 3-4 hours

Difficulty: Easy

The Monsal Trail follows a former railway line through the heart of the Peak District. This flat and well-paved trail leads through tunnels, across viaducts and alongside the River Wye. With dramatic views over Monsal Dale and the ease of a level path, this walk is accessible for all ages. The choice is yours whether you want to start from the Bakewell end or the Blackwell Mill side.

It's also cycle-friendly, so it's a great option for multi-activity enthusiasts. You can also bring along your own bikes during your stay at Knockerdown Cottages with our onsite bike storage and maintenance facilities.

Pubs along the route or nearby:

• ​The Packhorse Inn - Voted into the top 10 cosiest pubs in Britain according to TripAdvisor, this historic dog friendly pub is located just off the Monsal trail in Little Longstone. They im to deliver a taste of the Peak District to visitors, sourcing all food locally, and their menu changes on a monthly basis to deliver the best seasonal produce.
• The Ashford Arms - Located in the picturesque village of Ashford in the Water, this recently renovated premium country pub was named in The Guardian's '20 best foodie breaks for autumn'. Enjoy great food made from local Peak District produce among cosy stone fireplaces and flagstone floors.

Distance: 6km (3.78 miles)

Time: 2-3 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

This iconic Derbyshire route takes you through the limestone valley of Dovedale, over the famous stepping stones, and up to the summit of Thorpe Cloud for panoramic views.

It's one of Derbyshire's most photographed landscapes. The ascent up Thorpe Cloud offers breathtaking views over the River Dove, Bunster Hill, Ilam and beyond. The route also takes you across the famous stepping stones which were reopened in September 2024 after delayed repairs due to storms and high-water levels.

Pubs nearby to this walk:

• ​The Old Dog - Located in Thorpe, this quirky family-owned dog-friendly pub offers quality food, drinks and service with a relaxing seasonal atmosphere
• Dovedale Bar at The Izaak Walton Hotel - This historic hotel in Dovedale has wonderful views and is situated between the villages of Ilam and Thorpe. The Dovedale bar, which is the oldest part of the building, offers a warm and cosy atmosphere particularly in the colder winter months. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the rear of the bar.

Distance: 15km (9.4 miles)

Time: 4-5 hours

Difficulty: Moderate

The scenic and moderately challenging circular route begins near the car park at The Royal Oak with the journey beginning with a descent towards Parsley Hay where you can stop for a bite to eat. Nearby is the intriguing Istrian Kazun, a historic traditional stone building worth taking a look.

The trail continues past Carder-Low before reaching Pilsbury Hill and the impressive remains of Pilsbury Castle, Norman motte-and-bailey fortification. While only the earthworks remain, the elevated site gives a great picture of where the castle originally stood and provides breathtaking views of the Dove Valley.

The route then ascends to High Wheeldon, a distinctive dome-shaped hill with the summit offering unparalleled views of Chrome Hill and Packhouse Hill, often referred to as the "Dragon's back" due to its dramatic, ridged appearance. This route combines history, natural beauty and stunning views making it a favourite for walkers seeking variety and adventure.

Pubs along the route:

• The Royal Oak - Our sister pub located in Hurdlow is an award-winning traditional country pub with welcoming open fires perfect for a well-earned pint for tired walkers. Family and dog friendly, the pub takes pride in offering a traditional style of hospitality with great homemade dishes of hearty pub food.
• The Packhorse Inn - Located in Crowdecote, roughly halfway through the walk, this family run 16^th century traditional pub makes for a great stop especially in colder months with its inviting log burners to warm up. A welcoming atmosphere is also extended to dogs, where they can find free treats waiting for them at the bar. They also have an expansive beer garden with some undercover seating and fantastic views across the valley.

Distance: 6.2km (3.8 miles)

Time: 1-2 hours

Difficulty: Easy

The final walk on our list takes us over to the charming village of Edensor and the Chatsworth House estate. Along the way, you'll enjoy stunning views of Chatsworth House and the River Derwent, as well as another charming village called Calton Lees. Covering just under 4 miles, this circular route is mostly along country lanes, with some field paths that can become a little muddy after rainfall. This walk makes for part of a great day out to Chatsworth House and its beautiful gardens, as well as offering the chance to learn about the history of Edensor, which is actually owned by the Chatsworth Estate and is mostly inhabited by current and retired employees.

Pubs nearby to this walk:

• The Devonshire Arms (Pilsley) - Located in nearby Pilsley, this dog-friendly country inn is situated in the corner of the Chatsworth Estate. With a range of over 20 gins and locall sourced food and ales, The Devonshire Arms makes for a great place to put your feet up after the walk. They also have a relaxed outdoor garden terrace with heaters for the colder months.
• The Wheatsheaf - Located in the heart of nearby market town Bakewell, this award-winning family and dog-friendly pub serves food from breakfast through to dinner including lunches, light bites, hot drinks and cakes from The Bakewell Bakery.

Knockerdown Cottages features 16 charming self catering holiday cottages sleeping from 2-12 people in individual cottages, or up to 93 guests when the site is hired as exclusive use. During your stay with us, you get to enjoy our great onsite facilities, including our indoor heated swimming pool, games room, large private meadow and children's play area, as well as free onsite parking which features 2x electric vehicle charging points.