Rural gastro pub England’s Peak District with classic British design and a hint of luxury
The Duncombe Arms / Ellastone / Staffordshire / United Kingdom
When flipping through old posts I realize how often I start them with me expressing how much I love something specific related to hotels. It can be a location, some unique architecture, a certain kind of vibe, a design feature or similar. Something I often come back to is my love of when old, preferably deserted buildings are brought back to life by some local entrepreneur.
This is fully the case with the Duncombe Arms, an old building with a rich history. It was just standing there, all boarded up and sad. Along came local couple, Laura and Johnny Greenall who decided they were going to be the ones to rescue this old inn dating back to 1850 and give it a second chance at life. And in 2012 the rescue mission was complete and they could open the doors once again to the Duncombe Arms.
The Duncombe Arms is located in the village of Ellastone, right at the edge of the Peak District, offering great views of the lush Dove Valley. The 10 spacious rooms are located in a separate building, the Walnut House, hidden behind the pub. We stayed in a room called Flying Ducks. The reason? It had printed wallpaper with flying ducks. Sometimes things are just that logical. The design in the Walnut House and in our room was so classically British (I don’t know if this is any official definition or just my own view of this) with rich, deep colors, prints, different colored textiles and that very British, subtle hint of luxury. A style that is right up my alley.
When staying at the Duncombe you kind of have to try the food. This is a gastro pub that lives up to its reputation. And for me who is a bonafide anglophile I have such a huge love of English country pubs where you can sit outside, have something cold to drink and just revel in the Englishness of it all. And on top of offering a great atmosphere, the food is super delicious where the aim is to serve hearty British food with fine dining quality but in a relaxed way. This is why locals fill up the garden in Summer mixing with us out-of-towners where we all share the same goal, maximum enjoyment.
Welcome to the Duncombe Arms!
The hotel rooms are situated in the Walnut House, hidden behind the main building.
I am a huge fan of bold color choices. Maybe it is a reaction to my minimalist Swedish upbringing. There is something with colors like this deep blue that makes me so happy.
Our room was called “Flying Ducks” and…
….when seeing the pattern of the wallpaper it all made sense.
The design aesthetic feels so classically British to me with printed wallpaper, mismatching textiles and a discreet luxurious touch.
The bathroom products from British brand Bamford with its summery scent was a good choice for this very British hotel.
Our room was in an extension of Walnut House and had its own little terrace.
Have I said how much I love English country pubs in Summer?
This is totally my scene.
Since this is a proper gastro pub you can expect really excellent food (and wine) at Duncombe Arms.
…before breakfast. It is served á la carte style and is hearty and rich, just the way it should be at a place like this.
If you are up for an excursion I can recommend the nearby market town of Ashbourne.
This photo is almost too British.
We are both coffee lovers and are always on the hunt for some excellent coffee. We found a great place, Preston’s Specialty Coffee Bar, on the outskirts of Ashbourne.
RG inside info
This place is perfect if you…
…are a pub lover and want to combine classic English pub experience with staying at a British design hotel in the countryside.
My favorite thing about this place…
…is the outdoor terrace. I love country pubs where you can sit outside under an umbrella with a pitcher of Pimm’s and eavsdropping on other people’s conversations.
What not to miss when staying here…
…is to visit the cute market town of Ashbourne, which is located a short drive from the hotel. A great place to stop for lunch and coffee. The best coffee in town we found at Preston’s Specialty Coffee Bar, located in the outskirts of town
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