Devonshire Arms, Bakewell

A rambling, rather austere looking stone built pub in a village on the Chatsworth Estate in the Peak District of Derbyshire. A couple of hundred yards from the well stocked and distinctly upmarket Chatsworth Farm Shop, this pub perhaps understandably concentrates on dining. Our visit, on a Tuesday in early December at lunchtime, found a pub humming with contented diners ( a generally Saga-esque demographic).Service was friendly and efficient, if slightly remote.Much play is made of the fact that local produce is used , certainly my gammon and eggs were in prime condition, and not overly expensive for the area. More important and memorable than the gammon, however, is the fact that I finally caught up with Thornbridge Jaipur IPA, after at least six years of searching:spot on, a fine cacophony of hops. Also on the bar, but untouched by this writer, were Whim’s Hartington Bitter, and a couple from Peak Ales, brewed on the Estate. We enjoyed our brief visit, but found the Devonshire Arms a touch too much of a restaurant with beer, rather than a pub with food (and rooms.)

This is more of a boutique pub than a traditional pub. I found prices very reasonable, food was excellent and I enjoyed the lamb kebab with rice and salad. The beer was fab Peak Ales Chatsworth Gold, micro brewery just round the corner also enjoyed their Thornbridge beer from Bakewell, will call again.

Devonshire Arms page at the Devonshire Hotels site - www.devonshirehotels.co.uk

Official site of the Devonshire Arms, contains menus, wine list and real ale details - www.devonshirepilsley.co.uk

Official site of the Devonshire Arms, contains menus, wine list and real ale details - www.devonshirepilsley.co.uk

Devonshire Arms page at the Devonshire Hotels site - www.devonshirehotels.co.uk