Monsal Head Hotel

With its glorious location overlooking Monsal Dale in the heart of the Peak District National Park, the Monsal Head Hotel is already off to a flying start. Add in a genuinely friendly atmosphere and hearty platefuls of food to fuel ravenous hikers' appetites, and you're onto a winning combination. In the flagstoned Stable Bar you will find a fine array of real ales to quench any thirst, and rustic, down-to-earth dishes, or you could move into the Longstone Restaurant for more ambitious cooking. A double-baked butternut squash soufflé comes with a green bean and Roquefort salad, and sage and ginger dressing, while a simple main course of roasted whole sea bass with king prawns and garlic butter relies on the quality of the ingredients for its effect. Desserts such as sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and vanilla ice cream aim for satisfaction.