A Dog Friendly Stay In The Peak District At Bike & Boot
The eagle-eyed amongst you might have noticed that this is my second stay at the Bike & Boot and this one is the best dog friendly place to stay in the Peak District. The Bike & Boot team have now established two hotels – one in the Peak District, and another in the North York Moors. This is one of my favourite hotel groups, so when I got the opportunity to stay at their Peak District hotel, I jumped at the chance.
These stays were all part of my 10-week-long ‘A Walk in the Parks’ adventure, and the Peak District leg of my journey was the final week (the 10th week of hiking across the country!).
I only had a few days to go before I would be snoozing in my own bed, having completed 1000 miles across every national park in England. So, with high spirits and on home turf, I was delighted to be staying in this fun and friendly hotel.
Visiting The Peak District
I stayed at the Bike & Boot for two nights, while I was hiking across the Peak District and was gifted two night’s stay from the team at Bike & Boot. Thanks team!
Although I may be biased, I think the Peak District offers some of the best hiking trails in the entire country.
With its lush green, rolling hills, the scenery of the Peak District is pretty unbeatable. Then dotted across the endless sea of green, you’ll keep finding patches of dramatic moorland and woodland, as well as charming little rural villages (you’ll have plenty to entertain yourself with, even on the longest hikes!).
You can centre your hike around one of the region’s world-renowned historic sites (Chatsworth House, Peveril Castle and the Nine Ladies Stone Circle being among the favourites), its iconic gritstone edges, or a landmark viewpoint.
With that in mind, the most popular hiking trails in the Peak District include:
- Stanage Edge
- Mam Tor
- Kinder Scout
- Derwent Edge
- Chrome Hill
- The Roaches
- Bamford Edge
- Ladybower Reservoir
- Lose Hill and Win Hill
If you’re planning a Peak District hiking holiday, be sure to tick a few of these off your list!
On the first day that I arrived at the hotel, I hiked up Kinder Scout (I’ve included some hiking tips for this route below). Then, for the next day, it was an easy walk from the hotel to Bamford station, where I got the train to Edale, ready to start the next day’s hike.
Best Dog Friendly Hotel In The Peak District
The Rooms At Bike & Boot Peak District
The Bike & Boot Peak District is the latest addition to the Bike & Boot group, and (just like its older sibling) this hotel is incredibly dog friendly, and one of my absolute favourite spots to stay with Cookie.
The Bike & Boot’s Peak District location is in Hope Valley, with easy access to nearby Bamford. From there, it’s a short drive to many of the Park’s most popular hotspots, including Bamford Edge and Ladybower Reservoir. Plus, given the area and time of year that I visited, the rooms are very reasonably priced.
But for me, what really sets Bike & Boot apart is how brilliantly dog friendly it is.
As with all of Bike & Boot’s hotels, the entire hotel is super dog friendly. The room itself included a dog bed and toy. Then, there were even dedicated dog washing areas in the hotel, meaning I could give Cookie a good wash (which she definitely needed, as it was very wet and muddy!). So both nights during our stay, she had a shower and blow dry in their dog station.
Throughout the hotel, the design and ambience are full of fun. This is a brand new building, with all the modern features that you could hope for, with the same vibe that has made Bike & Boot’s other hotel so popular. The characteristic playful style transcends all the rooms, and I particularly loved the maps of the Peak District on the wall, and the local Peak District art and posters on display.
In fact – you don’t have to just take my word for it – Bike & Boot Peak District recently won the title of the ‘Cheap and Chic Hotel of the Year’ in the 2024 The Times Best Places to Stay awards.
Planning a trip to the North York Moors? Check out my review of Bike & Boot’s other location, during my Dog Friendly Stay In Scarborough.
Bike & Boot Pub And Restaurant
Bike & Boot prides itself on its hospitality and – as you’d expect from any good hikers’ hotel – they had no intention of letting guests go hungry!
In fact, in the hotel’s lounge, guests can even help themselves to free cake, which is served there throughout the afternoon. For me, it’s little, generous touches like these that make this such a great place to stay.
The hotel restaurant is the perfect spot for hearty, comforting food – just the thing to revive you after a long day’s walk! The menu is full of delicious staples, including a range of pizzas, pastas and burgers. Olly joined Cookie and I for dinner, another sign I was super close to home. He opted to go home though as he had an early start for work the next day.
This hearty theme continues into breakfast, with the hotel’s ‘Bareca Buffet Breakfast’ (complete with pancakes!).
Tips for Hiking Kinder Scout
On my first day of hiking, I trekked up the famous Kinder Scout trail.
Kinder Scout is the highest point in the Peak District (at 2,087ft above sea level) and, when you eventually make it to the top, the views are spectacular.
From the peak, you can gaze out over panoramic fields and moorland, in a completely uninterrupted view of the region’s landscape.
If you are visiting the Peak District, hiking up Kinder Scout is an absolute must!
To help make your trek as effortless and enjoyable as possible, here are some of my top tips for hiking up Kinder Scout.
- Decide which route you’re taking – there are a number of different routes up Kinder Scout, including starting points in Edale, Hayfield and Barber Booth. So, choose a route that matches your intended difficulty level, considering the distance and terrain type.
- Make sure you’re prepared for bogs! – Kinder Scout is well-known for its peat bogs, which have caught out a fair few hikers over the years! So, I recommend opting for quality boots and gaiters (especially if the forecast is for wet weather).
- Don’t worry if you’re travelling by train – if you follow the Edale route, you can even take the train over to your starting point. Edale train station has relatively frequent trains to Sheffield and Manchester. So, this is ideal if you don’t want to drive, or if you fancy a pint at The Kinder Lodge afterwards!
- Prepare for challenging terrain – although you absolutely don’t need to be an experienced hiker, Kinder Scout is a relatively challenging route. It can be a more difficult expedition, with its rocky terrain and areas of reduced navigation in mad weather. So, be sure to bring a map and compass, plus practical clothes.
- Keep an eye out for mermaids! – during your walk, make sure you go past Mermaid’s Pall. Located below Kinder Downfall, rumour has it that, if you see the mermaid that lives there on Easter Saturday, she will award you immortality.
I had a fantastic stay at Bike & Boot, and I could think of no better way to round off not only my hike through the Peak District, but my entire Walk in the Parks adventure. Next time I’m on a hike around the Park (after a few months off, mind!), I’d definitely visit again. So, if you’re looking for a dog friendly stay in the Peak District, then I would wholeheartedly recommend Bike & Boot.
