The Cow Dalbury

Rooms

Each Kingsize or Super-Kingsize room is a variation on a theme. A master carpenter has crafted the wooden features and the overall result is a calming, comfortable collection of rooms with muted shades and hand-picked mirrors, stools and bucolic pictures.

We stayed in the newer part of the building. Like all ground floor rooms, ours opened out onto a small terrace area, which will be a big attraction during the summer months. Note that all ground-floor rooms are dog-friendly.

We particularly liked the huge bathrooms (8 rooms have a large walk-in shower; 4 rooms have a bath and shower) and the super-kingsize beds were ultra-comfy. The free WiFi, Netflix and Nespresso coffee machines are welcome additions.

We are also impressed with the basalt sinks, de-misting mirrors, the Molton Brown toiletries and aroma reed diffusers (in all rooms) and the handy guides to the local area. Room Ten is a delightful upstairs room in the older part of the pub. Room Six is closest to the bar area and charmingly designed in a neutral pallete with contemporary finishings.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Hairdryer
• Minibar
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

A hearty breakfast spread is laid out on a fabulous butcher’s block table in the bar area. You can help yourself to a variety of cereals, granola pots, pastries and juices. There’s also a fine array of a la carte cooked options, from omelettes to the full English.

The Catch Restaurant is open for Bottomless Brunch on the first Saturday of the month – its bijou set menu features classics such as the full English, smoked salmon with poached egg and French toast – and there's a weekly changing Sunday lunch menu (1200-1900) – expect local beef or pork belly and there's always fresh fish of the day.

Dinner has a fish and seafood focus, which is delivered, on ice, overnight from Cornwall; dishes are therefore based on the previous day’s catch – perhaps soft shell crab, grilled mackerel, line-caught seabass, classic fish pie. Chef Nathan, himself a Cornishman, sources the freshest and finest quality produce from selected Cornish fishing boats. Derbyshire produce also gets pride of place: fillet steak, chicken supreme, cheese platters and caramelised apple cheesecake. Vegetarian, vegan and kids options are also available.

If you are staying 2+ nights and feel like a change, we've heard good things about their sister restaurant The Horseshoes at Long Lane, 3 mins' drive away.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Coffee maker
• Restaurant

Activities

• Chatsworth House, one of England’s most renowned stately homes, is 45 minutes away by car. The mansion is set in expansive woodlands and houses a collection of Old Master paintings
  
• Head to the Peak District for a life-affirming walk among some of England’s most beautiful scenery. (For more accessible hikes, ask the staff for nearby options.)
  
• Staff can help you book reduced green fees at the award-winning Kedleston Golf Club on certain days
  
• Closer to The Cow, the impressive country house Kedleston Hall, a National Trust property, is just 6km by car and well worth a visit. Other houses in the county worth visiting include Calke Abbey, Haddon Hall and Hardwick Hall
  
• Fans of confectionery should head to Bakewell market town to sample their eponymous tarts - it’s just a short drive from the pub

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Cycling
• Golf
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Shopping / markets

Kids

Although The Cow doesn't feel like an obvious choice for a family, children are welcome and extra beds can be supplied for ages 2-16. The pub has a kids menu.

Best for:

All ages

Family friendly accommodation:

Super-kingsize rooms (3,4,5 and 12) can fit an extra bed or be set up as twin rooms. A couple have bathtubs, too.

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

The Cow is set in the small village of Dalbury Lees in rural Derbyshire, in the East Midlands of England.

By Air:
East Midlands (37km) and Birmingham International (69km) airports are closest. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.

From the Airport
Hire a car or take a taxi. There's parking and electric car charging at the hotel.

By Train:
The nearest station is Tutbury & Hatton, which can be reached from Manchester Piccadilly station on the Crewe-Derby line, with 1 change at Stoke-On-Trent. The journey takes around 2 hrs and there are taxis at Tutbury & Hatton to whisk you to The Cow. Both Derby and Burton On Trent train stations also enable easy access to the wider region.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

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