The Cavendish at Baslow, Derbyshire

In short… A quaint fishing lodge/carriage inn turned totally chic and charming hotel on the grounds of the Chatsworth Estate. 

The surroundings… The Cavendish is located in the small village of Baslow, in the center of Devonshire’s Peak District. From the garden patio, a sweet wooden sign points you in the direction of the Chatsworth Estate—the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire since the 16th century—and eventually, Chatsworth House. The walk is flat and easy, and within 30-odd minutes it brings you to the entrance of the impressively grand Chatsworth House. The Cavendish is also flanked by the village of Baslow—a very charming town consisting of one or two shops, a beautiful old bridge, and a handful of quintessentially British pubs. 

The backstory… The hotel has been operating since the 1830s on the Chatsworth Estate, which is thought to have inspired Pemberley in Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice. Originally named The Peacock Inn and rebuilt as The Cavendish in the 1970s, it was recently refurbished by London-based interior designer Nicola Harding, who breathed new life into the beautiful building. 

The vibe… The Cavendish is a perfect mix between old and modern English countryside charm. The brick exterior contrasts perfectly with the rolling hills and green landscape, and the colorful interior feels fresh, chic and cozy. The walls are covered in art, all of which was sourced from the private collection of the Devonshire family, who have occupied Chatsworth for 17 generations (more than 500 years)—a thoughtful mix of antique and contemporary prints and paintings. 

The rooms… are absolutely adorable. Each of the 28 guest rooms is named for someone connected with the Estate’s history—from family members to guests. We stayed in the Link room, and were lucky enough to have a four-poster bed, which was original to Chatsworth House and the tallest bed I have ever slept in—it even had an antique step-stool at the foot to help you get in! There are lots of tasteful pastels and striped wallpapers, as well as antique furniture that reminds you of where you are, while not feeling dated or dusty. The bathrooms are comfortable and modern, and the excellent toiletries are all made on the Estate—I even bought some shampoo and conditioner to bring home, which I’ve never done at a hotel.

The food & drink… There are two restaurants at the hotel: The Gallery and The Garden Room. Our first dinner was at The Gallery, the fancier option with a set menu. As I mentioned in my Postcard from Chatsworth, fine dining is usually not my first choice, but their approach was totally unfussy while still feeling elevated, with produce sourced from the farms on the estate itself, as well as from the wider Derbyshire area. The steak was delicious, and the locally-sourced fish melted in my mouth. On our second night, we had dinner in The Garden Room—a lovely bright conservatory with charming rattan touches and a more casual menu. Stuart, the outgoing and chatty sommelier, referred to it multiple times as “Bahamas in Baslow,” which might be a stretch, but conveys the easy and relaxed vibe of the room. It overlooks a beautiful patio, which was raised four feet during the refurbishment so that guests could see the North entrance of Chatsworth House from their table.

Extra tip goes to… Stuart Bond, the hotel’s incredible sommelier, restaurant manager, and know-it-all (in the best way). We met him when dining at The Gallery on our first night, and he shared not only his knowledge and witty one-liners about the wine list and menu, but also the history of the estate, Chatsworth House, and the property. He’s been working at The Cavendish since he was in his 20s, and 20-odd years later, he’s still here. He was passionate and excited, and had some amazing local advice for the area. He said that the Chatsworth Farm Shop is a must-visit if you have a car, and that a hike up to Eagle’s Rock is amazing. On our second night dining in The Garden Room, he came over and said hello and recommended a wine pairing for our meal. Make sure to find Stuart if you visit the property—he even told us he had spent 1,000 hours learning the ins and outs of the wine list!

Be sure to… visit Chatsworth House, and take a stroll around Baslow! The “main drag” consists of a loop that wraps around the village, with some lovely shops. We stopped into the endearing Baslow Pottery Studio, and my new favorite shop, Simply Pale. While it goes without saying that the Estate itself is the area’s most well-known attraction, it 100% lives up to expectation. It’s beautifully preserved, with an incredible art collection that ranges from neoclassical to modern, an enchanting sculpture court, and immense gardens, which are immaculate and reflect the incredible gardening history of the estate. If you have a car (which we did not), you can also explore nearby towns like Bakewell, and visit the Chatsworth Estate Farm Shop, highly recommended by Stuart. There are plenty of walks to various “edges”—intel from the owner of Baslow Pottery’s wife, who said that these incredible cliff faces are a beautiful way to observe the landscape and topography of the area. Alas, we did not travel by car, but there is plenty to do in Baslow: charming pubs, a lovely village shop and post office and (as mentioned above) great shopping. 

Parting words… Only a 2-hour train from London, The Cavendish made the perfect base for a jaunt up to the Peak District. 

Date of stay… July 29th-31st, 2025