A WEEKEND AWAY AT: The Duncombe Arms

A RUSTIC PUB WITH A MOUTH-WATERING MENU IN THE PEAK DISTRICT

-  JACKY PARKER

Natural prints and a soothing palette in this room with a view

This once derelict pub in the pretty village of Ellastone, near Ashbourne on the Staffordshire and Derbyshire border, was rescued and renovated a few years ago by local couple Johnny and Laura Greenall. With decades of experience in brewing, cooking and hospitality between them, and an ancestral line on Laura’s side that stretches back to the original Duncombe family owners, the couple has turned the former 19th-century inn into an award-winning dining destination, with attractive annexed accommodation (charmingly named Walnut House). The latest addition is The Old Barn, a self-catering cottage with three bedrooms that makes a great getaway for families or groups of friends.

A perfect spot for exploring the scenic surroundings