Modern, funky, affordable – and properly dog-friendly. Bike & Boot in the Peak District is a breath of fresh air for walkers, cyclists and their four-legged sidekicks, offering a relaxed, design-led base for exploring the glorious Peak District countryside.
Style and setting: less country cottage, more cool mountain lodge
First impressions? Well, the location on a main road between the Peak District villages of Castleton and Hathersage, and the contemporary exterior, don’t exactly scream chocolate-box country retreat. But step inside and it’s a different story.
The compact reception area sets the fun and friendly tone with floor-to-ceiling maps of the surrounding walking country, while a wonderfully wacky ceiling installation featuring walking boots and cycling helmets hints at the playful design touches to come.
This is countryside hospitality with a funky, urban twist. Walking poles become art installations, wellies feature as décor, graphic artwork brightens the walls and bold splashes of orange inject a sunny, optimistic feel into communal spaces. It’s quirky without being kitsch, and a welcome change from the usual twee country-house aesthetic.
Check-in is self-service via a screen, so there’s no hanging about – just grab your key and head upstairs to unpack before hitting those hills.
Rooms: contemporary cool with a view
Our room was bright, spacious and refreshingly unfussy, with a king-size bed dressed in crisp white linen, grey tongue-and-groove panelling on the walls and cheerful pops of orange and blue. Colourful marble-effect lampshades and a blind featuring a classic railway poster of Derbyshire added personality without cluttering up the space.
Although rooms overlook either the main road or hotel car park, the surrounding hills provide a lovely reminder of why you’re here. Think fresh-air adventures by day and a comfortable, contemporary bolthole to return to afterwards.
The pet set: four-legged guests come first
Here’s where Bike & Boot really earns its pawsome credentials. This is a hotel that genuinely gets travelling with dogs – and, crucially, doesn’t make you feel as though your furry companion is merely being tolerated.
Four-legged guests are welcome throughout the hotel, so there’s no awkward shuffling off to a designated corner while the rest of the party enjoys the good bits. Anyone who’s stayed somewhere that welcomes dogs in theory, but restricts them to a handful of designated areas, will appreciate the difference. Here, your pooch is part of the holiday, not an inconvenient add-on.
Bedrooms come equipped with a dog mat to sleep on, while thoughtful treats and toys add a little extra pampering (and the toys make a lovely holiday souvenir for your four-legged friend).
On top of all that, there’s a handy Wadobi – walk, dog, bike; geddit? – wash area outside for tackling muddy paws, mucky boots and grubby bikes after a day exploring the trails. Because a Peak District adventure without a bit of mud is hardly an adventure at all.
Savour and sip: cake o’clock is calling
It’s not just the dogs who get the VIP treatment. Us two-legged companions are looked after, too, with complimentary hot drinks and cake served in the lounge at 4pm daily. There’s also a mini cinema for films and a cosy wind-down after a day outdoors.
The hotel’s Bareca – part bar, part restaurant, part café (spot the clever name?) – serves food, snacks and drinks throughout the day and night. Tasty stonebaked pizzas, pastas, burgers and more. The informal dining space continues the hotel’s colourful, playful aesthetic, with bright interiors and a generous outdoor terrace that’s particularly appealing when the sun makes an appearance.
Breakfast is a well-stocked buffet affair, with hot favourites including bacon, eggs, mushrooms, hash browns and pancakes, alongside fruit, granola, yoghurt, compote and pastries. Just the fuel you need before lacing up your boots and heading for the hills. And of course, dogs get to dine with you too.
Paws on the path: our pick of Peak District walks
One of Bike & Boot’s biggest selling points is its location. With some of the Peak District’s most spectacular walking country within easy reach, there’s plenty to keep both energetic hounds and their humans happy. You can pick up leaflets with walk ideas from Bike and Boot’s reception for inspo.
Our two top walks:
Castleton, Mam Tor and the Great Ridge walk
This classic Peak District walk is a must for anyone who loves a big view – and, as we discovered, a spot of canine socialising. We tackled the route on a warm, sunny September day, making the ascent to Mam Tor all the more enjoyable.
At the summit, it was practically a doggy party, with scores of happy hounds panting contentedly after their uphill efforts. From here, the route continues along the Great Ridge towards Back Tor and Lose Hill Pike, with sweeping views across Edale and Hope Valley to reward our climbing legs. The main circuit is around 6.5 miles, with scope to extend it if you fancy an even longer stomp.
Ladybower Reservoir and Derwent Dam walk
For something a little gentler, this 5 mile circular walk around part of Ladybower Reservoir is a winner. Well-maintained paths and relatively easy terrain make this a lovely option for a relaxed ramble, with glorious water and hillside views along the way. We were treated to an unexpected bonus on our walk, too: two Chinook helicopters soaring dramatically along the reservoir, adding a spectacular air show to the scenery.
The route also takes in the Derwent Dam, famous for the practice flights of the Dambusters ahead of their daring Second World War mission. A scenic walk with a fascinating slice of history thrown in – and plenty of opportunities for sniffing stops.
Find out more
Bike & Boot is a refreshing alternative to the traditional Peak District country inn. It swaps chintz and country-house formality for bold design, relaxed hospitality and a genuinely welcoming attitude to dogs.
It’s particularly well suited to outdoorsy types who might like their adventures muddy but also like to keep their creature comforts intact and want somewhere comfortable and characterful, with relaxed dining, to return to after a day of muddy paws, windswept ridges and reservoir-side rambles. Add in the complimentary cake, playful interiors and dog-friendly touches, and you’ve got a hotel you’ll be recommending to all your pup-friendly pals.
Address: Bike & Boot, Hope Road, Hope Valley, Peak District, S33 0AL.
Photos copyright of Alistair Heap