Tearooms and Cafés in the Peak District

When on my walks I regularly pop in to tearooms or cafés for a bit of something to eat, a sit down for a few minutes, or just to shelter from the rain: most villages in the Peak District have somewhere suitable.

Here are my brief reviews and observations about the places I've visited:

Grindleford Station Café: Located in the old station building, this famous, or infamous if you prefer, café, is well-known and generally well-loved by hikers and cyclists for its quirky hand-written signs stuck up everywhere and its somewhat abrupt, verging on rude service...it's all part of the experience though.

Massive portions of simple English food served up at reasonable prices, certainly nothing fancy here though; a log fire in the corner and no variations to the set menu tolerated...so don't ask.

Outside Café, Calver [now under new management/ownership - I don't know its new name though]: I visited last month for the first time since the change of owner; things were pretty much the same as I remembered from previous visits though - basically the same menu, maybe the prices a little bit higher. I usually have a cooked breakfast here, whatever the time of day; and a large mug of tea. Very popular with cyclists due to its location at a busy crossroads.

Village Green Café, Eyam: I had a cream tea here and enjoyed the best marmalade I've ever had. It was home-made by the proprietress; I complimented her on the food...she was rather embarrassed though.

Eyam Tea Rooms: Located in an old pub, so plenty of room for quite large parties. The food was okay, but nothing special; my choice of marmalade with my scone surprised the waitress.

Café on the Green, Baslow:  A lovely location and very handy for the buses. I had what was definitely the best shortbread I've ever eaten here.

Cintra's Tea Rooms, Hathersage: Possibly my favourite tearooms in the Peak District. Wonderful gardens at the back and basically an art gallery upstairs with the work of local artists on display, and available to buy.

Old Hall Tea Rooms, Hope: Located in an annexe to the pub; very welcoming to walkers and cyclists.

[Also in Hope I visited some other tearooms, just around the corner on the Edale road. I can't remember the name of this establishment though; I checked on Google Street View, but couldn't see because the canopy was down]. I only stopped for a pot of tea here the once.

Hassop Station Café: Situated on the busy Monsal Trail footpath and cycleway. More work by local artists on display, and for sale, here. Able to cope with large groups I should think. There's always a large selection of cakes.

The Old Smithy Tearooms, Monyash: Located in a small building and rather cramped. A bit expensive, I think I remember.

Postcard Café, Low Bradfield: Appropriately named, this is the smallest café

I've visited, consisting of just two, or maybe three tables squeezed into one end of the post office and general store.

The Vines Restaurant, Calton Lees: Located inside Chatsworth Garden Centre. The last but one time I visited I was extremely annoyed at how early they had put up the Christmas decorations and displays.

Forge Dam  Café, Sheffield: [Fulwood, I think]: Inside an old scout hut, moved to its current location. Cheap and cheerful. A lovely spot and very easy to reach on public transport.

Café at Arkwright's Mill, Cromford: Nothing special, but nice pot plants on every table outside.

Massarella's Café, Rowsley: Situated inside the Peak Shopping Village. Probably a bit expensive; on my last visit I only had a pot of tea and a toasted teacake but the home-baked pie and the roast chicken smelled delicious.

Hobb's Café, Monsal Head: The only establish I've visited where I felt unwelcome. I was told I was eating outside...and that was it.

The Hollow Tearooms, Little Longstone: Certainly the poshest establishment I've visited; located in the dining room of a large old country house which is currently a bed and breakfast with lovely wooded gardens at the back; I needed to ring a large brass bell to summon service...certainly something a bit different.

Cooper's Café, Edale: Nothing special...and quite a limited menu too.

Scarlett Rose Coffee Shop, Bamford: Situated inside High Peak Garden Centre; I had a pot of tea; I can't stand coffee.

Rose Cottage Tea Rooms, Castleton: Located in an old cottage in the centre of the village. Rather expensive I suppose, but there's a lovely garden at the back with several fruit trees [I think.]