Grouse & Claret, Derby by Marston's Inns

The food came out fresh, hot, and lovely, in about 15 minutes even though it was a busy evening. The staff at the bar and waiting tables were friendly and helpful. I was also pleasantly surprised by the outdoor area at the Grouse and Claret, which I hadn’t visited for a while. There are plenty of tables and an outside bar where you can order food and drinks if you’d rather not use the QR code at your table. I’ll definitely go again.

We came for my sister’s birthday lunch, and I didn’t want to make a fuss during the meal. Her food was OK, though not great. I had fish and chips, which didn’t seem to be fresh fish and looked and tasted poor. I left some, so it must have been bad. No one asked about the meals until they were clearing the plates, and when I mentioned it, the server seemed dismissive and uninterested. The location and interior are nice, but the food was very hit and miss.

We had seabass and chicken schnitzel for dinner, and both were tasty with generous portions. It was my first time trying seabass, and it was cooked just right. The only drawback was how hot it got inside, perhaps because of the tealights on the tables. I still enjoyed my meal, but had to step outside with my drink for a bit.

The campsite is in a great spot for walks. From here we took an easy, scenic 5km riverside route to Chatsworth House, then continued to Bakewell for another 6km and back around to Rowsley for another 6km. There’s a bus if you don’t want to do the full loop. We managed the walks with a baby in a carrier. Peak Village shopping village is right next door, too. Our pitches at the Grouse & Claret were spacious, and the facilities stayed fresh and very clean throughout. The pub looked lovely, and although we only popped in for a drink, the staff were warm and friendly. We’d definitely stay again and recommend it as a base for the Peak District.