Losehill House at Hope is a well kept secret. It has an indoor pool and spa, together with an outdoor hot tub. It lies in breathtaking scenery, yet is accessible by rail from Manchester and Sheffield. Bedrooms are cheerful and modern; public rooms have wooden floors; the Orangery Restaurant has fine views and serves award winning food.

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The Wind in the Willows at Glossop is right on the edge of the Peak District via Snake Pass. It is near Kinder Scout and the Pennine Way passes close to the hotel. Its bedrooms are named after characters from the Kenneth Grahame novel. Golf can be arranged at the neighbouring 9-hole Glossop Golf Course.

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The George Hotel, Hathersage, has been there for 500 years. Today’s building, dating from 1770, has great character. Some of the 22 bedrooms are on split levels, others have four-posters. The George is well placed for visiting Chatsworth and the Ladybower reservoir, yet is only 12 miles from Sheffield.

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The Cavendish at Baslow is next door to Chatsworth and a good walk down the avenue will bring you to the great house. It is an 18th-century building with spacious bedrooms, award winning restaurant and comfortable public rooms, furnished with antiques and paintings.It is the sister hotel to the George at Hathersage.

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Also at Rowsley, on the Haddon Estate, is The Peacock Hotel. This hotel returned to private hands some five years ago and it has been refurbished to offer sensational accommodation and AA 3-rosette cuisine. Ten miles of trout fishing are available to guests and the hotel has prepared walking maps for those wishing to explore the local area.

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East Lodge Country House Hotel is at Rowsley, where the rivers Derwent and Wye part. It was formerly a shooting lodge on the Chatsworth estate. Today it is popular for weddings and small meetings. The restaurant also has a good reputation. Recently refurbished bedrooms include one which is reputed to be haunted!

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Biggin Hall, near Hartington, is also in good walking country. Accommodation is either in the main building, the Bothy, the Courtyard or The Lodge. Packed lunches can be arranged for walkers and you can even bring your own pony! This year a (modern) Sculpture Walk has been opened in the grounds.

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Riverside House Hotel in Ashford-in-the-Water is a 14-bedroom hotel owned by the Thornton family, of chocolate fame. There is fishing from the hotel, the restaurant has two AA rosettes and bedrooms are very comfortable, particularly the two recently merged ones. The family also own the Monsal Head Hotel nearby, popular with walkers.

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The Izaak Walton Hotel is set high in Dovedale with four rods available on the river Dove below. The bar is filled with fishing memorabilia. The best bedrooms are on the front of the hotel. Comfortable sitting areas and AA rosetted restaurant. Excellent walks and climbs up Thorpe Cloud are available from the hotel.

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Dannah Farm Country House sits high in the hills above Shottle. Two if its eight bedooms have secluded hot tubs; there is also a general spa tub for other rooms to use. Supper can be ordered but a good breakfast will set you up for a walk in the hills or a trip to Carsington Water.

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