There is something wonderfully indulgent about setting off on a Derbyshire food & drink road trip. The promise of local produce, fresh flavours, and rolling countryside feels like the perfect recipe for a day out. One fine day we decided to do just that. Gathering delicious treats from some of our favourite producers, and ending with a picnic at one of the peak District’s most iconic viewpoints, we had a delicious Derbyshire food adventure. 

This is not only about exploring food & drink, picnic spots and beautiful scenery. It’s about discovering warm welcomes, local passion, and the producers that create truly delicious Derbyshire delights. 

The Loaf, Crich

Our first stop, The Loaf in Crich, a bakery that has become something of a legend in these parts. We came away with a beautiful small brown batch loaf, a croissant, and a couple of irresistible pastry swirls. Fresh from the oven, they filled the car with the comforting aroma of warm bread. Driving away, the church tower of Crich stood above the village rooftops, and the soft folds of the Amber Valley stretched out ahead, a gentle start to our Derbyshire food & drink road trip.

Croots Farm Shop

Next, we wound our way through country lanes to Croots Farm Shop, where the shelves are piled high with the best of Derbyshire produce. We chose a Welsh Dragon Scotch egg, a hearty pork pie with Stilton and caramelised onion sausage rolls. The surrounding fields glowed in late summer light, and the views towards Duffield reminded us why this is such a perfect place for food adventures.

Yeldersley Farms

Our journey continued past hedgerows and winding roads, until we arrived at Yeldersley Farms. Here the fun really began at their MilkBot vending machine, available 24 hours a day. We mixed up our own chocolate milkshake, shaking the bottle like children and laughing as they filled to the top. It was a playful, hands-on stop that made our Derbyshire food & drink road trip even more memorable, with wide blue skies above and the gentle hum of the countryside all around.

The Hartington Cheese Shop

The road towards the Peak District soon opened up to limestone hills, dry stone walls and sheep grazing on sunlit pastures. At the heart of this beautiful landscape lies The Hartington Cheese Shop. We picked up a wedge of Hartington Blue and a block of smoked tomato and garlic cheese, both rich and tangy, perfect for our later feast. Tucking them into our basket felt like adding a little piece of the Peak District itself to our day’s adventure.

The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop

From Hartington the drive to Bakewell was a pleasure in itself, winding through green before dropping down towards the River Wye. Of course no foodie journey through Derbyshire is complete without calling in at The Old Original Bakewell Pudding Shop. The pudding’s almond flavour is as memorable as ever, wrapped in perfect pastry. It is the kind of taste that lingers long after the crumbs are gone, an absolute sweet highlight of any Derbyshire food & drink road trip.

Chatsworth Farm Shop

Just a short drive through wooded hillsides and estate parkland brought us to the Chatsworth Farm Shop. Alongside its shelves of tempting produce we found a jar of caramelised red onion relish, sweet and sticky, destined to be the perfect partner for our cheeses and pies. With the grand sweep of Chatsworth House just beyond the trees, it felt like another basketful of true Derbyshire delights added to the day.

Ashover Cider

Our route then took us through quiet villages, past stone cottages draped with late roses, and out to the perfect place for a well earned Ashover Cider. Crisp, refreshing and full of character, their cider captures the very spirit of the countryside. And if you would rather sip in style, the Stables Bar at Monsal Head Hotel makes the perfect place to enjoy a glass with the view. So we did that too in front of a warm fire, but only after our picnic. 

A picnic at Monsal Head

With baskets now brimming we found a beautiful perch at Monsal Head. We spread out our feast; the crusty yet moist brown loaf from Crich, perfect Croots’ Scotch egg and sausage rolls, heavenly Hartington cheeses, beautiful Bakewell pudding, gorgeous Chatsworth onion relish, and yummy Yeldersley chocolate milkshake. Utterly delicious these classics perfected over years made entirely of Derbyshire food and drink delights, made an epic outdoor eating experience.  

As the sun dipped behind the hills and the viaduct glowed in the evening light, we tucked in with the Monsal Trail below with the viaduct in the distance. It felt like the perfect finale to our Derbyshire food & drink road trip, flavours of the county shared against one of its most iconic backdrops.