The Woodyard

Tucked beside the River Wye in the heart of Bakewell, this former 1810 marble works has that perfect “Peak District reset stop” energy where muddy boots, tired dogs and long lunches all seem completely acceptable. The building still carries its industrial history through the space, with exposed mill features and even a glass floor revealing the old millstream running beneath the restaurant, which gives the whole place a character that feels far more interesting than a standard pub lunch stop.

The Woodyard works brilliantly as part of a longer dog-friendly day because it manages to feel relaxed without losing that slightly special atmosphere. After a morning wandering Bakewell or exploring nearby Chatsworth, this is the kind of place where everyone naturally slows down a notch. Dogs are welcome in designated indoor areas as well as the riverside beer garden, making it unusually easy to settle in properly rather than hovering awkwardly near the door with the lead wrapped round your ankle.

Food-wise, it leans more restaurant than traditional pub, with fresh homemade dishes, pizzas, lighter lunches, cocktails and hearty mains all sitting comfortably alongside proper comfort-food classics. The riverside beer garden is one of the biggest draws on warmer days too, especially after hours of Peak District walking when a cold drink and a late-afternoon pause suddenly become the main event. ☕🐾

It’s also one of those rare places that fits neatly into the rhythm of a full day out. You can arrive for lunch, drift into coffee, accidentally stay longer than planned, then emerge back into Bakewell feeling like the day has properly unfolded rather than been rushed from one stop to the next.