Right in the centre, you’ll find The Old Nag’s Head. It’s one of those places that looks like it’s been there since the Romans popped by for a cheeky mead. The rooms upstairs are cosy—which is pub-speak for "the floor creaks charmingly"—but the beds are soft, and the water pressure in the shower is enough to blast the peat out of your ears. (Side note: check the beams for your forehead; I have a bruise that took a week to fade.)
The pub itself does a cracking Sunday roast. Imagine this: you, slumped in a leather chair, gravy dribbling down your chin, while walkers outside are getting lashed by hail. That’s the feeling. Guilt-free schadenfreude.
The Rambler Inn: For the Slightly Less Rambling
Now, The Rambler Inn is a different beast. It’s perched a bit out of town, near the Mam Tor road. The irony? It’s perfect for non-ramblers who just want a good night’s sleep. The rooms are modern—almost suspiciously so for a pub. You get that new-carpet smell and a TV that actually works. But the bar downstairs is all stone floors and log fires, so it’s not soulless. Order the sticky toffee pudding; it’s dense enough to anchor a small boat.
Pro-tip: If you snore, they’ll still give you a room near the bar. I speak from experience. My partner was not thrilled. But the breakfast bacon was excellent, so all was forgiven by 9 AM.
The Bulls Head Castleton - Country pub with accommodation
