Lunch at the George Inn of Hathersage

The George (Inn of Hathersage)Hathersage is about ten 9miles from Sheffield in England. Situated strategically in the Peak District National Park, this small, picturesque village offers much more than initially expected—something we only realised when our son Arjun took us to The George for lunch. This majestic 500-year-old hotel sits right on the T-junction of the road descending from the medieval town of Bakewell. It also boasts a literary history. When Charlotte Brontë, the eldest and most prolific of the three surviving Brontë sisters of the nineteenth century, visited Hathersage in 1845, she stayed at The George. The hotel is believed to have inspired Charlotte Brontë’s renowned novel, ‘Jane Eyre’. The fictional ‘George Inn’ appears in her story. Descriptions of the inn’s interiors, such as ‘mantelpiece ornaments, furnishings, prints of George III and the Prince of Wales’, are based on her observations during her stay. The building dates back to the early fifteenth century. Though it has undergone several restorations over the centuries, its façade and layout preserve the appearance of a medieval alehouse and coaching inn used by travellers through Hope Valley. The stone walls and timber beams are well preserved. It presents a fine mix of Elizabethan architecture, Georgian elements, and modern touches. The earliest recorded owner was William George Spencer Cavendish, the 6th Duke of Devonshire (the nineteenth-century ‘Bachelor Duke’). He was known for his innovations in architecture and horticulture at Chatsworth Hall, about 15 km from The George. Our favourite part of the visit was lunch at The George restaurant. Since it was a Sunday, we enjoyed a special Georgian Roast. Arjun chose a roast lamb chop, while I opted for roast pork loin. All roasts came with braised red cabbage, maple-glazed root vegetables, duck-fat herb-roasted potatoes, cauliflower cheese, Yorkshire pudding, and proper gravy. My wife, a fish fan, decided to try a beer battered cod dish. Unfortunately, they served her grilled fish by mistake. When we pointed out the error, they apologised repeatedly before replacing her dish with the correct order. Not only did they replace it promptly, but they also did not charge us for it. I have never seen such a noble gesture before. After lunch, we drove along the main road of Hathersage to Chatsworth Meadows in the Peak District, about 15 km from The George. Chatsworth House and its gardens were built by the first Duke of Devonshire in the sixteenth century. When we arrived, it was windy and drizzling. The grand building stood alone on a vast stretch of land. Both the icy wind and the drizzle felt different from those in India. It was like a fine sprinkle of talcum powder blown in uncontrolled directions. It was disturbing and irritating, even with an umbrella. We missed the gardens, but we managed to see the stables and the clock tower before heading back to our car.        

Photo credit: Arundhati Sengupta (Ruby)

Facade of the George Hotel at Hassersage, Hope Valley, Peak District

At the entrance to the George Inn

Menu card 

The interior of the George restaurant

Sunday special menu at the George restaurant

Outer view from the restaurant

Roast pork loin platter

The George facade

Legend has it that Little John, Robin Hood's companion, is buried in the churchyard of St.Michael Church in Hathersage. The hotel opposite the George is named as Little John Hotel

The George in Hathersage

Chatsworth House

Chatsworth stables