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Pub Tours founder Emily Williamson has established herself as a leading expert on Peak District pubs. So when the county’s favourite monthly magazine, Derbyshire Life wanted to showcase ‘10 of the best Peak District Pubs’, Emily was the obvious choice as a guest writer for the prestigious publication.

Despite (or perhaps due to) Emily’s extensive knowledge on the topic, it was no easy task. “I was delighted to be asked but it really was quite challenging to narrow the selection to just ten, given the huge amount of fabulous pubs here in the Peak District.”

After careful consideration, Emily’s recommendations can now be found in the October issue of Derbyshire Life.

It’s a fascinating read, peppered with nuggets of local history and insider knowledge. For each pub, Emily also included her personal recommendations of what to order, ranging from locally brewed IPAs to Bakewell Pud Gin.

Some of the landlords are already seeing the influence of her suggestions, with Richard at the Flying Childers, who is highlighted in the article as an incredible mixologist, commenting “I wondered why people kept ordering cocktails!”.

Emily has been pleased with the response to the article. “It was a lovely opportunity to showcase the quality and range of pubs we have in the Peak District and I’m looking forward to welcoming Derbyshire Life readers on a Pub Tour soon.”

Pub Tours offer multi-award-winning, hosted and transported tours of the Peak District’s most highly recommended pubs and bars. Enjoy VIP treatment with a choice of drink in each of six pubs included in the experience.

Pub Tours are dog-friendly and make the perfect gift for beer lovers or anyone interested in pubs and their role in British culture. A range of themed Pub Tours are also available to book including a Haunted Peak District Pub Tour and festive edition exploring the 12 Pubs of Christmas.

Booking is required for all tours and places are limited. Please call 01629 636786, email info@pubtours.co.uk or book online.

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This autumn and winter we’re running some very special themed tours. Whether you’ve joined us before or are new to Pub Tours, these exclusive, limited edition events offer unforgettable, unique experiences.

Places on each tour are strictly limited so please do not delay booking.

Peak District Haunted Pub Tour

Sat, 2nd November, 11:30am

This Halloween, satisfy your curiosity and immerse yourself in the rich history and mystery of the Peak District’s reputedly most haunted pubs.

Whilst we can’t promise paranormal activity, rest assured of captivating stories full of intrigue and ghostly goings-on in the most quaint and atmospheric surroundings.

A uniquely eerie experience for family, friends or to enjoy as a couple. Enjoy a transported tour, including a drink in each pub… and the thrill of the unknown!

Frightful fancy dress optional.

Starts at £135

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Peak District 12 Pubs of Christmas

Sat, 21st December, 11:30am

Ring in the season with a guided tour of the Peak District’s most Christmassy pubs.

It’s the most magical time of year, so why not join us for a festive extravaganza through the most charming and cosy pubs in the Peak District, beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Let us transport you through the beautiful winter scenery of the Peak District and introduce you to the rich history and nostalgia of the region’s best inns and taverns.

Our guided tour is an enchanting way to fully embrace the holiday spirit. Sample the finest local ales, spiced ciders or steaming mugs of aromatic mulled wine or decadent, boozy hot chocolates. Or delight in Christmas cocktails with festive flourishes.

Whether you’re gathering your loved ones or joining us as a solo traveller, expect a very warm welcome and a seasonably sociable atmosphere, bursting with good cheer.

£140

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Peak District Spymaster Pub Tour

Sat, 4th October 2025, 11:30am

Fascinated with spies? Or know someone who is? Uncover the Peak District pubs used by Britain’s most decorated Cold War spy… and why!

This very special tour will be led by the author of ‘Spymaster’, Martin Pearce. Martin’s biography of his uncle, Sir Maurice Oldfield offers a fascinating insight into the secret world of espionage. This extraordinary story of the former Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service was published in 2016 to widespread critical acclaim.

Sir Maurice was the former Chief of MI6 and the most highly decorated British spymaster of the Cold War, a veritable, real-life ‘M’ figure.

Join us, ably hosted by Martin, on a compelling journey through the Peak District’s pubs used by Sir Maurice and his contacts. Uncover hidden truths and navigate a web of deceit, covert operations and historical and political intrigue!

As with any Pub Tour, you’ll be transported and guided through six unique pubs with an inclusive drink in each.

Starts at £125

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Booking is required for all tours and places are limited. Please call 01629 636786, email info@pubtours.co.uk or book online at www.pubtours.co.uk/our-tours/

All tours start and end in Bakewell and are dog friendly.

The great British pub is an important part of British culture – both historically and to the current day. A pub (short for ‘public house’) is a drinking establishment, a place licenced to sell alcoholic beverages consumed on the premises.

Pubs are commonly associated with draught beer, including lager, ales, stouts and bitter, served in pints and half-pints, but there’s also usually a selection of wines, spirits, ciders, soft drinks and teas and coffees too. Many British pubs also serve food and bar snacks, such as nuts, crisps and pork scratchings. People go to pubs to drink, socialise and relax.

History of the British pub

The history of pubs dates all the back to taverns in Roman times. The term ‘pub’ or public house is thought to first appear in the late 17th century, to differentiate private dwellings from those open to everyone (the public) as inns or alehouses.

Throughout history, people have used pubs and inns as a place to rest and reinvigorate for whatever the next day holds in store, whether that’s a lengthy journey or a special occasion.

Nowadays, there is no universally agreed definition of exactly what constitutes a pub, but the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) describes a pub as somewhere that is open to the public without membership or residency, that serves draught beer or cider without requiring food be consumed, has at least one indoor area not laid out for meals and allows drinks to be bought at a bar rather than via table service.

A good pub offers a warm welcome

In many places, particularly rural communities, the local pub is a focal point. It is a community hub where people share good conversation, jokes and memories together over their favourite tipple.

As we all know, every community has its own particular quarrels and debates. The dynamics of friendships and work escapades leave a chequered history in each of the pubs, contributing to their unique character.

Popular pub games include skittles, darts and dominoes. Some pubs may have a pool table and some run regular quizzes. Many pubs will show key sporting events, and many people enjoy the convivial atmosphere of watching sport together.

Pubs bring people together, from every demographic. Rich and poor, young and old, male and female and all genders. This sense of solidarity is the thing I love most about pubs.

Many rural pubs are also dog-friendly.

Pubs in the Peak District

In many ways, the pubs and pub culture in the Peak District can be seen as representative of British pubs overall.

Centrally situated in Britain, the area has a wealth of transport links and thus has many coaching inns for travellers, from when horse was the dominant mode of transport through to the growth of the railways and the prominence of railway pubs. The region also has its fair share of miners pubs.

Here at Pub Tours we offer an award-winning, insightful guide into the Peak District’s best pubs. Why not book your tour today?

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Here at Pub Tours, we understand that dogs are family, and if you’re interested in joining us on a Pub Tour, there’s absolutely no need to leave your canine companion at home.

We are completely dog friendly and would love to welcome you and your four legged friends on a tour. We understand that dogs deserve the best experience too. There will be plenty of room for your dog on the coach or mini bus (depending on the size of the tour), and all of the pubs we will visit are not only dog friendly, but often make a real fuss of our furry customers.

Dog friendly experience

There is a small charge of £10 for your dog to join a Pub Tour. This includes a little doggy VIP treatment along the way. We use highly rated, Cheshire-based, The Canine Menu to supply 100% natural dog chews in sustainable packaging, guaranteed to result in wagging tails!

Don’t just take our word for it though. Here’s some feedback from previous Pub Tours customers who brought their dogs:

“Highly recommended. Fantastic day with Pub Tours! Great way to see the Peak District and drink in quality pubs on the way. Being dog friendly too was a big bonus factor for us as we took our two labradors along.” Beccy on TripAdvisor

“Super dog friendly everywhere.” Zoe on Trip Advisor

Please email us on info@pubtours.co.uk to add your dog to the tour.

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Not sure what to gift a beer lover? With Father’s Day fast approaching, we thought we’d lay out exactly why Pub Tours provides the very best gift ideas for beer lovers. Whether your loved one is a craft beer enthusiast, a real ale fanatic, a general lover of pubs or a social history geek, here at Pub Tours we have a range of thoughtful gifts, with something at every price point.

We are a multi-award winning tour operator and regularly receive 5-star reviews both on Google and on TripAdvisor. A Pub Tour is one of the finest beer-related gifts, sure to impress!

What is a good gift for a beer lover?

For any beer lover, what could be better than indulging their love of ale with a day dedicated to visiting the best pubs in the beautiful Peak District? A luxurious gift for any pub lover.

The gift of experience and memory making

A Pub Tour is so much more than just a pub crawl. Instead, enjoy a VIP guided tour of six, unique Peak District pubs, with reserved seating and a drink in each pub. Led by an experienced tour guide with an unrivalled knowledge of Peak District pubs, a Pub Tour is an insightful, unique experience.

It’s a chance for quality bonding time, and to make some precious memories to last a lifetime, together with loved ones.

Pub Tours can be booked in advance for a specific day, or via a gift voucher for maximum convenience. Gift vouchers bought online are instantly emailed to the recipient. To arrange a beautifully presented, physical voucher, please buy over the phone or in person on a tour. Gift vouchers are perfect for presents that need to be posted.

Unique gifts for beer lovers

Each Pub Tour is a unique journey through six different Peak District pubs, so even if your loved one has already taken a tour with us, we firmly believe it’s worth booking again.

Alternatively, why not treat your pub lover to some of our exclusive merch? We have snuggly hoodies with a chunky neck in soft grey marl, perfect for cool summer’s evenings or cosying up in the autumn and winter. These are priced at just £35. Or our on-trend beanie hats are just £15.

Personalised gifts for beer lovers

Pub Tours T-Shirts are available in soft white cotton with stylish, discrete Pub Tours branding. These can also be personalised for the perfect, thoughtful gift.

Beer loving bookworms

Peak District Pubs: A pint-sized social history by Andrew McCloy is a fascinating read and would make an excellent gift for any pub lover and is priced at just £11.99.

Heartfelt gifts for people who like pubs

When you shop with Pub Tours, not only are you supporting our small business, but your purchase supports the wider Peak District pub trade, helping save rural pubs from extinction. We believe in sustainability, and our chauffeured tours reduce the number of cars on the road.

The best gift is one that really resonates with the recipient, something that brings them joy and that is aligned with their interests. A Pub Tour makes a truly memorable present for craft beer enthusiasts, beer snobs and ale aficionados, lovers of pubs, and anyone who is interested in British culture and social history.

A gift from Pub Tours is the perfect way to express your love, gratitude and respect.

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In January 2024, VisitEngland revealed our founding guide, Emily Williamson as one of 10 superstars shortlisted in its annual search to find the unsung hero of England’s tourism industry. Read the official press release here.

The competition seeks out champions who provide unforgettable visitor experiences, as well as showcasing the variety and quality of England’s tourism offer and destinations. VisitEngland Director Andrew Stokes described the competition as “recognising those individuals who go the extra mile to make visitor experiences truly special.”

Tourism Superstar Emily Williams of Pub Tours outside historic Peak District pub

Unforgettable Experiences

Our founder, Emily was shortlisted as a Tourism Superstar finalist for her vast knowledge and experience in hospitality and tourism in the Peak District.

VisitEngland describes how Emily “created the Peak District’s first dedicated pub tour company to help tourists experience six unique pubs within the region. The tours highlight the importance of pub culture to the Peak District. Pub Tours has been driving business to pubs in the region supporting England’s pub culture.”

Pub culture is something we are incredibly passionate about. Our tours give an insight into pubs as community hubs. We are dedicated to the authenticity of each pub we visit and help people understand the important role pubs have played in British culture throughout history.

Local Support

The overall winner of Tourism Superstar is decided by a public vote. Testament to our long lasting relationships with our stakeholders, we were so touched that so many of our pubs supported us in our efforts to urge people to vote. Some pubs gave out leaflets and we were incredibly grateful to Rob Hattersley at Longbow for writing to his mailing list.

We enjoyed significant support from Visit Peak District & Derbyshire who posted about us on their social media channels.

We also had some really positive media coverage. Emily spoke to Twiggy on BBC Radio Derby – he was very keen to join us on a Pub Tour! Derbyshire Times wrote a lovely piece about us, and we are very thankful for the support received from Let’s Go Peak District and Lovely Local Indie.

CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) also supported our efforts and we are very grateful for their support.

Podium Position for Pub Tours in Tourism Superstar Competition

Voting culminated at the end of English Tourism Week, and we were exceptionally pleased to achieve a podium position.

Congratulations to Pete Chambers from the Coventry Music Museum who won the accolade and to Robert Dennis Brown from the Dalby Forest Cycle Hub in the North York Moors who came second.

Being recognised at a national level for the work that we do is incredibly exciting, and we firmly hope this helps our mission to support Peak District pubs.

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Back in November we were excited to receive an email informing us that we had been shortlisted for a 2024 Peak District, Derbyshire & Derby Tourism Award in not one, but two categories! We were up for ‘New Tourism Business of the Year’ and ‘Experience of the Year’.

It felt exhilarating for our hard work and commitment to supporting rural pubs to be recognised in these prestigious awards designed to showcase excellence in the hospitality sector.

At Pub Tours we offer a highly unique, VIP experience for guests to taste, experience and be educated on the authenticity, history and culture of Peak District pubs. Our mission is to keep Peak District pubs alive by driving new business into hidden gems; offering visitors an educational, fun, experience of proper British pubs.

Tourism Awards are designed to showcase excellence and outstanding achievement by recognising the region’s finest visitor economy businesses, and are organised by Visit Peak District & Derbyshire in collaboration with Visit Derby as the region’s official Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP). We are proud supporters of Visit Peak District & Derbyshire and recognise what wonderful work they do in support of the local economy.

The awards are keenly contested. After shortlisting, there is mystery shopping and rigorous judging process by an independent panel of experts.

We pride ourselves on offering exemplary levels of customer service. Our knowledgeable guides offer a fun, informative commentary designed for guests to make treasured memories in the Peak District’s best pubs. People who join us on our tours always tell us what a great time they’ve had, but it was a nail-biting few months in the lead up to the results.

On Thursday 7th March 2024 we got our glad rags on to attend the glittering awards ceremony held in the historic surrounds of the Museum of Making in Derby city centre.

After a drinks reception sponsored by the brilliant White Peak Distillery (whose craft spirits can be enjoyed in many of the pubs we visit on a Pub Tour) we enjoyed a delicious three-course formal dinner. It was wonderful to celebrate our achievements, and those of the sector as a whole.

Finally, it was time for the winners to be announced! We were beyond delighted to achieve a Silver award in New Tourism Business of the Year category and a Bronze Award in the Experience of the Year.

We work extremely hard to help people discover the true nature of Peak District pubs and understand the important role they play in British culture and society. We are passionate about the Peak District, it’s history and heritage and we love showcasing what a real British pub is to the rest of the world.

These two awards recognise our commitment to supporting tourism in the local area and fighting the extinction of the local pub. Thank you to all our hard working staff who made this possible. We would like to extend our warmest wishes and congratulations to all the other finalists.

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