Chesterfield Champions hit gold at Peak District Tourism Awards
Three of our Chesterfield Champions are celebrating major success after taking home top honours at the Peak District, Derbyshire and Derby Tourism Awards 2026.
Held on Wednesday 18 March at Derby County Football Club, the awards recognised excellence across the region’s visitor economy – with both Peak Edge Hotel and The Tickled Trout and Chatsworth house securing Gold in their respective categories.
Chatsworth house won Festival or Event of the Year for their event – Celebrating Jane Austen – which attracted large crowds and marked the enduring legacy of Jane Austen, one of England’s most beloved authors.
Peak Edge Hotel was awarded Gold for Hotel of the Year, alongside Silver for Taste of the Peak District – Restaurant of the Year for its 2 AA Rosette Red Lion Restaurant, and Bronze in the Accessible & Inclusive Tourism Award category.
Peak Edge has built a strong reputation for its blend of laid-back luxury, heartfelt hospitality and farm-to-fork dining, with much of its produce sourced directly from Walton Lodge Farm, the owner’s nearby 360-acre estate.
Steve Perez, Owner of Peak Edge Hotel, said:
“We’re absolutely delighted to have won Gold for Hotel of the Year. This means a huge amount to us as a family-owned business. Everything we do at Peak Edge is about creating a genuine, welcoming experience for our guests, so to be recognised in this way, alongside awards for our restaurant and accessibility, is incredibly special.”
“It’s a real credit to our team, who care deeply about what they do every single day.”
The Red Lion Restaurant part of Peak Edge Hotel, secured Silver in the Taste of the Peak District category. The restaurant continues to grow its reputation for ingredient-led, seasonal dining. With 2 AA Rosettes and a strong focus on provenance, the restaurant showcases produce from Walton Lodge Farm, offering guests a true taste of Derbyshire.
The Bronze award for Accessible and Inclusive Tourism reflects ongoing improvements across the hotel, including step-free access, accessible facilities and a continued commitment to inclusive hospitality.
Mark Thurman, Managing Director at Peak Edge Hotel, added:
“These awards are a reflection of the direction we’ve been working towards over the past few years – focusing on quality, consistency and experience.”
Meanwhile, The Tickled Trout in Barlow was crowned Pub of the Year, with judges praising its high-quality seasonal dishes, locally sourced ingredients and exceptional service.
The team triumphed over strong competition, impressing mystery guests to secure the top honour, with the award highlighting its consistent delivery of high-quality, locally sourced seasonal dishes alongside exceptional, personable service.
Independently owned by chef patron Chris Mapp, the gastropub has built a strong reputation for its ingredient-led menus and welcoming atmosphere.
Chris Mapp, Tickled Trout, said:
“After 12 years of independently owning The Tickled Trout, I couldn’t be prouder of what our team has achieved. This award really belongs to them. From the kitchen to front of house, every single person plays a part in delivering the quality and service the judges recognised.
The glowing comments from the judges are a testament to the team’s unwavering commitment to delivering high-quality food and exceptional service. Following last year’s refurbishment, it’s fantastic to see the whole team’s efforts recognised, it truly is the icing on the cake after a brilliant year. As we move on to the next round with Visit England, the team is full of energy and enthusiasm, and we’ll continue doing what we do best: creating high-quality dishes using local, seasonal ingredients and making every guest feel welcome.”
Chris trained in London in Michelin restaurants owned by some of the world’s greatest chefs such as Marcus Waring and Gordon Ramsay before returning to Derbyshire, where he transformed his former local into an award-winning dining destination. He was awarded ‘best pub restaurant chef’ in the UK at the Craft Guild of Chefs Awards in 2024.
Both Peak Edge Hotel and The Tickled Trout will now go on to represent the region at the national VisitEngland Awards for Excellence, showcasing Chesterfield’s thriving hospitality sector on a national stage.
The Tickled Trout and Peak Edge Hotel are a few of over 230 Chesterfield organisations that are proud to support the local economy, working closely with Destination Chesterfield to showcase Chesterfield and North Derbyshire as a destination to live, work, visit and invest.
Find out more about our Champions network.
