Darwin Forest Country Park, Darley Moor, Two Dales, Matlock, Derbyshire

A Center Parks-style camp on the edge of the Peak District National Park, Darwin Forest Country Park has rows of wooden lodges, an indoor swimming pool, a gym, tennis courts, an amusement arcade, a soft play area, an archery track, a restaurant and other activities on site. You have to pay to use these amenities, but the charges are pretty reasonable. Although the bedrooms can be very compact, the newly-built lodges, some of which have hot tubs on their verandas, are comfortable and well-equipped with spacious living areas. The site itself, which still has lots of tree cover, is adjacent to a patch of woodland with a 2km running track and a "trim trail".  Moreover, the attractive town of Matlock isn't far away. 7/10

The Royal Oak, Hurdlow, Derbyshire

Perched on a hillock in a rather desolate patch of the Peak District, the Royal Oak serves top notch pub grub in its fairly non-descript dining room and more atmospheric bar.  There is an exceptionally long menu featuring most of the pub classics. On a Sunday the selection is smaller, but you can have one of the customary roasts. If you fancy something lighter, the salmon with prawns (£10.50) is cooked with precision and served with delicious chunky, dark chips and a good salad. The fisherman’s platter (£11.95) is also impressive featuring fat, juicy mussels, prawns, a fishcake, smoked salmon and boquerones, accompanied by lots of luke warm potatoes, a bread roll and salad. It's fresh and generous. The good quality children's meals are also substantial: Your offspring might struggle to make it through the three sausages, fine chips and peas. The chicken goujons, which contain decent pieces of meat, might be a healthier option. The Royal Oak's beers include an unusual ale from a local brewery: Hartington bitter. The only real gripe is the pub's frothy cappuccinos can be tepid. But the attentive and friendly staff are happy to make you another one. The Royal Oak is a real find. 8/10

The Stable Bar, Monsal Head Hotel, Monsal Head, Derbyshire

After hiking up to Monsal Head on a winter's morn, the Stable Bar is a warm and welcoming place to stop for lunch. Although the ancient flagstone floor is cold and hard, a wood-burning stove pumps out heat and the bar offers real ales, mulled wine and spicy apple concoctions.  It can be tough to get one of the inside tables, which are enclosed by high wooden screens, making them cosy, but cramped. If you don't want a big meal, the lamb chorizo and rocket in ciabatta, with chips and a bit of salad, hits the mark. It is salty, but meaty and good value for about £8. For kids, the fish and chips with mushy peas is excellent for £5.50. But you may need to be patient - the Stable Bar is often full of hungry walkers and the food can take half an hour to arrive. 8/10

Walk from Ashford in the Water to Monsal Head, Derbyshire

Even if you don't want to go on this five mile hike up to the beauty spot of Monsal Head and back, it would be worth visiting Ashford in the Water. It is a handsome stone village with fine old houses, appealing pubs and a picturesque bridge over the fast flowing River Wye. Signposts in the village point you towards the footpath to Monsal Head, which begins with a steep flight of steps through the houses and trees before crossing wide open fields. As you climb gently up into the hills there are sweeping views over the dry stone walls that follow the contours of the dales. After a couple of miles you crest the top of the hill for a spectacular view over Monsal Dale. At the bottom of a steep drop, far below you, a venerable stone bridge crosses high above the winding river on the valley floor. The footpath narrows and swings eastwards towards Monsal Head, clinging to the hillside. It isn't long before you reach the Monsal Head hotel where you might be tempted to stop for a pint of golden Pearl ale (just 3.3% alcohol) beside a roaring fire in the wood-clad Staples Bar. From here, a footpath leads back to Ashford via the hamlet of Little Longstone or you can take the more direct, but more hazardous, route along the B road. 8/10