Local Activities in the Peak District – Cook, Quaff and Create!
As we know, the incredible landscapes here in the Peak District make it the perfect destination for walking, hiking, biking and generally exploring the great outdoors. But what if you’re not really into rambling up hill and down dale? What if culinary exploration floats your boat more than tramping or trekking?
Well fear not because the Peaks is also home to a whole host of artisan makers and producers, many of whom offer tours and tasting experiences to boot. Here we look at our top 5 activities in the Peak District all of which involve a gastronomic twist of one kind or another. And best of all? They’re all within 7 miles, or just a 12 minute drive of Hall Cottage.
Wild garlic – perfect for adding to dishes or for making wild garlic pesto
1. Wild Food Foraging: For lovers of both the great outdoors and great food we’re going to start with a foraging course from Wild Food UK. As you’d expect from somewhere so vibrant and diverse, the Peak District is absolutely stuffed full of plants and mushrooms, many of which are in fact edible. If you’ve ever fancied finding your own food, then why not sign up for one of their excellent courses? After a brief introduction at the Miner’s Arms in Eyam, you’ll head off for 2.5 hours of exploration. At the end of the day you’ll get to taste the fruits of your labour with a Wild Food meal of tasty treats foraged by your own fair hand.
2. Peak Ales Microbrewery: After a hard day foraging, why not wash it all down with a pint of traditional craft ale from local microbrewery Peak Ales? The Evans have won numerous awards for their beer since starting out in 2005. From Best Bitter to Noggin Filler, they’re sure to have an ale to tickle your tastebuds. They also distil gin, so there’s no excuse for the non-beer drinker in your life not to visit too. And if you’ve always dreamed of starting your own microbrewery, then why not book a Brewer Experience Day and learn the art of the brew? It includes a case of 12 beers to take away as well as beer-tasting on the day. As activities in the Peak District go, we think that’s hard to beat!
3. Bakewell Pudding Making Experience: If wild food isn’t your bag, and you’re feeling a bit more traditional, then why not try your hand at baking a Bakewell? That’s a pudding, not a tart, mind. The Bakewell pudding originated in nearby Bakewell back in the 1800s and legend has it that the original recipe was created through a kitchen mishap. A pudding consists of buttery puff pastry filled with jam and topped with a soft set custard. The Bakewell tart, on the other hand, originated in the 20th Century and is an entirely different beast (officially both delicious).
The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop runs pudding making workshops where you can try your hand at creating your own pudding to take home. And enjoy a cup of tea and a sandwich whilst you wait for it to bake. Yum. The experience is for a minimum of 15 people though, so do contact them to enquire about supplements for smaller groups.
4. Cook with Stella: For something a little (make that a lot) further away than Bakewell, how about learning to cook the flavours of Cameroon? You may have seen Stella Kisob on the Hairy Bikers – she lives on a farm in nearby Eyam, where you can drop in for lunch, coffee or an evening buffet. She also runs cooking courses, where you can learn how to cook traditional Cameroon dishes, before sitting down to enjoy them in the form of a 3 course meal with drinks. Not a Bakewell pudding, or tart, in sight!
5. The David Mellor Cutlery Factory: What is a fabulous meal without fabulous cutlery? David Mellor was one of the most famous British designers of the 20th century and was internationally known as The Cutlery King. His designs are still manufactured on site today, in the Round Building at the David Mellor Design Museum, Cutlery Factory, Country Shop and Café just outside nearby Hathersage. This really is a great day out for anyone interested in design – Mellor was, after all, a Royal Designer for Industry.
The best way to use cutlery, if you ask us!
The factory itself is an award-winning building, not to mention the outside Street Scene which displays some of his street furniture designs. There’s an unrivalled selection of tableware, kitchenware, pottery, glass, kitchen equipment and of course cutlery in the Country Shop, and a free museum on site dedicated to his work and that of his son, Corin Mellor. And after a fascinating day exploring all there is to know about cutlery and its design, why not put it to good use in their onsite restaurant – the Riverside Kitchen.
So there you have it, our top 5 activities in the Peak District that don’t involve too much strenuous activity, just a little bit of indulgence. If you do fancy walking off some of those puddings and pies, however, we have some local walks, right from the doorstep to get you back to your best in no time.