The Pilsley Inn - Chatsworth

Stopped in for a drink at this pub during a walk through the beautiful Peak District, expecting something a little more refined and inclusive, especially as it’s owned by Chatsworth House, which frankly should know better. Unfortunately, what we encountered was an appalling excuse for a menu—particularly if you’re vegetarian. It's 2025, not 1970. How on earth is there still no vegetarian Sunday roast option? How difficult is it to throw together some well-roasted seasonal veg and a Yorkshire pudding? Or how about a nut roast or a vegetable Wellington—options that are now standard in many pubs that actually bother to cater for more than just meat-eaters? Instead, we were offered the lazy, uninspired fallback that so many places cling to when they’ve given zero thought to vegetarians: risotto and oyster mushrooms. Bland, tasteless, and utterly unoriginal. It’s like they Googled “vegetarian dish” and picked the first thing that came up. No effort, no flavour, no excuse. Given the stature of the estate that owns this pub, the menu should reflect not just quality, but a sense of progress and inclusivity. Vegetarianism isn’t a niche lifestyle anymore—it’s mainstream, and to ignore that in 2025 is not just lazy, it’s disgraceful. It’s a total failure to keep up with the times. Vegetarianism isn’t a rarity—it’s a huge and growing demographic. To ignore that, especially at a high-profile, estate-owned venue, is nothing short of embarrassing. Your menu is eye-wateringly expensive, yet somehow manages to offer far less than other pubs in the area. Many nearby establishments provide broader, better-thought-out menus with excellent vegetarian and vegan options—and at a lower price. You might want to take a leaf out of the Cheshire Cheese pub in Hope, where they’ve gone the extra mile with a separate menu dedicated to vegans. That’s the level of care and consideration diners should be able to expect in 2025.

This is one of my favourite places for dining in the Peak District. We have been on a number of occasions for lunch and dinner and the food and service was always outstanding. We love that most of the ingredients are locally sourced and we can definitely tell that the meat is always of great quality. We will continue going back!