5th November 2025
Written by Holly Richardson
We’re so lucky to have great pubs in lovely locations in the North West and North Wales. With busy suburban neighbourhoods and historic market towns, you can often spot a Robinsons pub on your travels. We’ve put together a collection of some of our most rural pubs, which you may not have spotted before.
The Sycamore, Parwich - Derbyshire
The Sycamore Inn at Parwich sits in the quiet, unspoilt village in the Derbyshire Dales. Surrounded by green hills, stone walls and buildings, and walking trails, the pub is in a landscape that feels beautifully untouched. With its traditional cottages and peaceful lanes, Parwich has that real feeling of rural England. The Sycamore has a welcoming atmosphere and serves great food too making it a natural gathering place for locals and new visitors.
The easiest way of reaching Parwich is by car, with public transport being limited. If you’re planning a visit by train your closest main station will be 12 miles away in Buxton and at the moment bus services aren’t too regular so a little planning may be required to get to this quaint village. As far as off the beaten track goes, The Sycamore ticks quite a few boxes.
Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn, Longnor - Derbyshire
The Cheshire Cheese Inn in Longnor is located just a few winding roads away from the nearest town of Buxton. With a small local farming community, the village of Longnor lies in a quiet corner of the Peak District. If you’re into hiking, you might stumble close to the village when visiting ‘The Dragon’s Back’, a rather famous set of sharp peaks in the neighbouring area, Earl Sterndale. Public transport to Longnor is limited but possible, with the 441 and 442 buses passing through Longnor between Ashbourne and Buxton at various times between Monday and Saturday, with the latest bus leaving at 6pm.
Longnor itself is small and peaceful, with country lanes, traditional stone cottages, and sweeping views of the surrounding peaks and hills. Being a haven for walkers and nature lovers, the accommodation at the Cheshire Cheese is the perfect place to stop for a few nights and enjoy the greenery on offer here. As well as being popular with locals popping in for a drink or two, the food on offer isn’t to be missed. Expect true home cooked pub food at great prices.
Fox Inn, Brookbottom - Derbyshire
The Fox Inn at Brookbottom is wonderfully remote, tucked away in the quiet hills of the High Peak. Reached by a single-track winding country lane and surrounded by woods and walking trails, it feels a world apart from the closest town of Stockport a good few miles away. The Fox truly is a hidden gem, one where the locals know the times to visit and hikers will stumble upon it with delight. But aside for that, you’ve really got to know it’s there! The pub has been run by the same family for years and is an established part of the not quite on the doorstep community. With more grazing farm animals than people in the close proximity, the air is fresh, and mobile signal is patchy. A visit feels like a step back to simpler, slower times.
Boot Inn, Eskdale - Cumbria
The Boot Inn at Eskdale is one of our most remote pubs, located deep in the western Lake District. Surrounded by some of the UK’s tallest peaks and natural waters, it sits at the heart of some of England’s wildest scenery. With the closest motorway being the M6 at 35 miles away and only a handful of nearby cottages and farms, it feels truly off the beaten track.
Travelling to The Boot Inn by public transport is possible – but you can expect it to be quite the scenic route, with a minimum of two changes if travelling from Manchester Piccadilly or Lancaster. From Lancaster you can expect a train journey time of around 3 hours, to travel what would be approximately 48 miles by road. That said, one train journey isn’t to be grumbled at, taking the route via Barrow in Furness will offer you incredible views of the North West’s coastal villages and towns, including the Areas Of Outstanding Natural Beauty of Silverdale and Arnside. You’ll then travel on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway, known locally as the ‘La’al Ratty’. By car, you’ll take in some of the Lake District’s most beautiful views as you weave around country roads before attempting to single track road over the notoriously steep Hard Knott pass. But, don’t let us put you off – our talented Dray Drivers drive these roads weekly in their wagon to drop off the pub’s beer, so it's very manageable!
Queens Head, Hawkshead - Cumbria
Hawkshead remains fairly undiscovered as far as major Lake District villages go. Sitting in the small centre of the village sits The Queens Head, one of our newly refurbished pubs. Hawkshead itself is an idyllic and rather sleepy village with narrow cobbled streets and historic cottages and the nearest major road being several miles away. The village really does provide the feeling of disconnection and escaping busy everyday life. The pub is a welcoming haven for walkers and explorers, with countless trails leading to the busier attractions of Lake Windermere or Grizedale Forest. You’ll also be in proximity of Hill Top, perfect for Beatrix Potter fans. Travelling to the Queens Head by public transport is an adventure in itself – expect a scenic journey with multiple changes, such as a train to Windermere followed by a bus through the winding country lanes. By car, the drive offers stunning views of the Lake District’s varied landscapes, with the narrow, winding roads adding to the experience of escaping the crowds and immersing yourself in rural tranquillity. If travelling by car is your preferred option – remember that the roads are small and can lead to slow moving traffic and longer journey times in the summer months, so set off early and make the most of your day.
