My stay at The Peacock at Rowsley – Soraya in the Peaks
Some places stay with you. For Soraya, writer of the Soraya in the Peaks blog, and creator of @soraya_in_the_peaks on Instagram and TikTok, The Peacock at Rowsley has been part of her story for as long as she can remember.
“I used to come here with my parents when I was little,” she says. “There’s one story my mum always tells. I was so young I fell asleep under the tablecloth in the restaurant, and all the staff thought it was adorable.”
From those early visits as a child to the night before her wedding, The Peacock at Rowsley has been a backdrop to some of her most cherished moments. It was where she stayed the night before marrying her husband Stuart at Chatsworth House, and where she got ready with her bridesmaids on the morning of her wedding. After celebrating their nuptials into the evening, the newlyweds returned to the suite. So taken with their time, they chose to stay an extra night, moving into Room 6, where they opened their wedding gifts and soaked in the moment together. “We will treasure that stay forever,” Soraya says. “It holds such a special place in our hearts.”
A passionate advocate for the Peak District
A passionate advocate for the Peak District and a well-travelled food and lifestyle writer, Soraya only recommends places she genuinely loves. She and Stuart have stayed in some of the best hotels and dined in Michelin-starred restaurants across the country, but The Peacock at Rowsley remains one of their favourites.
“The Peacock at Rowsley is iconic. We are so lucky to have such a special place on our doorstep. It’s full of heritage, but not stuck in the past,” she says. “The new updates are really sympathetic to the history of the place. I feel like it’s kept the charm, but added more warmth. The interiors are just beautiful now. It’s clearly been updated with such care. It’s lighter, fresher, but still totally in keeping with the character of the building.”
A much needed night away
Last year, Soraya and Stuart welcomed their first child and have been navigating life with a toddler. Their invitation to stay at The Peacock at Rowsley was a welcome night away from parental duties and a chance to reconnect over great food, wine, cocktails and to take advantage of the opportunity to get a good night’s sleep.
“I loved our room. We stayed in Room 6, a superior double room, which was where my parents stayed the night before my wedding and where Stuart and I stayed an extra night.” Said Soraya.
“It used to be a deep purple, but now it’s a beautiful soft shade – very Farrow and Ball Mouse’s Back fawn colour. I thought it added a fresh brightness to the space. The air con was a lovely surprise too, especially in the heat wave when we stayed. The bed was unbelievably comfortable, and the blackout blinds meant we slept like logs!” She laughed.
The beautiful bathroom was a highlight for Soraya who said, “After our dinner, I ran a bath with the salts provided, made a decaf tea, and just relaxed. I was thrilled to see the Penhaligons products there as a luxury upgrade from last time. It’s little touches like that which make it feel so luxurious.”
The new menu concept
Dinner was a real highlight. The new menu concept offers a seasonal, four-course experience, blending classical techniques with bold, modern flavours. Soraya and Stuart began with the truffled celeriac nosotto with coddled egg and the Derbyshire pork belly with passionfruit and Savoy cabbage. “I wouldn’t usually choose pork but this was absolutely delicious. Both starters were incredible.”
The canapés were particularly memorable including a croissant-like bite filled with mushrooms, and a delicate tomato creation served as a palate cleanser. “We had the mushroom one first and it was unreal. If they made a giant version of that and put it on the breakfast menu, I’d be so happy,” she laughed (we’ve put in a request to the head chef!).
For mains, Stuart chose the local lamb while Soraya had the Sladesdown Farm guinea fowl. “I could eat that guinea fowl every day. It was so flavourful and perfectly cooked. Both mains were stunning.”
They shared the 85% chocolate soufflé for dessert, served with coffee and sea-salted vanilla ice cream. “I loved the theatre of dropping the ice cream into the hot soufflé. It adds so much to the experience and was a perfect way to finish the meal.”
Although tempted to head to the bar for a cocktail, they chose instead to retreat to the room for a quiet drink and a peaceful end to the evening. “Being child-free for the night meant we really wanted to savour the calm.”
Breakfast in the sunshine
The next morning brought even more joy. The couple dined in the garden on what Soraya described as a glorious summer morning, making a special request for the team to make a breakfast cocktail to accompany their food. “I had a mimosa in the garden and it honestly felt like we were somewhere abroad. That whole experience was seamless and indulgent. It’s the best breakfast I’ve had in a long time.”
Soraya ordered the Eggs Benedict, while Stuart went for the Full English. “His hash browns were out of this world so I had to steal some of his. The presentation was beautiful, and it all just felt so relaxed.”
She also had a lovely conversation over breakfast with a guest from London, who remarked on how stunning the Peak District was compared to the Cotswolds. “She said the Peak District had more drama, more heritage. I completely agree. We have Chatsworth, Bakewell, all this history, and places like The Peacock at Rowsley – people don’t realise what we have here in Derbyshire.”
The most beautiful bar in the Peak District
The bar remains one of Soraya’s favourite spots. “It’s honestly the most beautiful bar in the Peak District. The carved wood, the atmosphere, the candles, the cocktails… it’s so special. Whether you’re warming up by the fire in winter or enjoying a glass of wine in summer, it’s just magical. And the little carafes and snacks – those details really matter.”
She was also keen to mention the team. Valentine was “an absolute delight” and although Lee wasn’t on duty this time, she made a point of praising his excellent service on previous visits. “You’ve got a lovely team. They’re friendly, welcoming, knowledgeable and just the right balance of professionalism and warmth.”
Incredible Experience, Incredible Value
As someone who dines out often and has stayed in many luxury hotels, Soraya was also quick to note the value. “If this was in the Cotswolds, you’d be paying double. Dinner, bed, and breakfast here came to £350 and for the level of luxury, location, food, and service, that’s brilliant.”
Before leaving, Soraya took a moment to reflect on how The Peacock at Rowsley had evolved. “It’s more relaxed now and feels so much more accessible without losing any of its elegance. Gone are the suits and ties and the way people were dressed felt so much more relaxed than when I’ve visited in the past. But we liked that and we felt it did not detract from how classy, sophisticated and special The Peacock at Rowsley is. I felt the night we dined had a great mix of people there. We ate alongside couples, groups of friends and families with grown-up children. It was also really busy in the bar with people popping in for a drink. I loved that! That’s a really difficult thing to get right, but they’ve done it.”
Soraya and Stuart had such a good time that they’re already planning to return for breakfast soon and says everyone should consider popping in, whether for a drink at the bar, a weekend away, or an exceptional Sunday lunch. “We’re lucky to have this on our doorstep. I want more people to know about it. The Peacock at Rowsley really is something special.”
Follow Soraya Malcolm on Instagram and Tik Tok @soraya_in_the_peaks or visit www.sorayainthepeaks.com to explore more recommendations of incredible places to experience across the Peak District.
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