If you’re looking for somewhere big enough to sleep 30 people, then this is an absolute steal! At The Poachers Arms, there are nine bedrooms and several sofa beds so you can all sleep your hangovers off in comfort. Plus, there’s an actual hot tub that you can use! You won’t fit all 30 people in it but there are plenty of equally exciting things to do elsewhere in the pub.
Outside there is an enclosed play-park. Yes, it’s for children but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a few goes on the slide. For any nature-lovers in your group, the area surrounding the pub is incredibly beautiful. There is so much to do in and around Hope, with direct trains from Hope station to Manchester. Hope train station is just a 20-minute walk from The Poachers Arms, so you don’t even have to drive – very handy if you’ve been drinking.
For anyone more interested in the indoors, there is a games room with a football table, a smart TV and a PlayStation 3. When you’re feeling hungry, there is a huge kitchen to cook in, or you could use the charcoal barbecue outside. However, don’t worry if you can’t be bothered to cook because a five minute walk away is Curry Cabin, which serves some really tasty Indian food. Or you could go on a long walk to Castleton for some traditional pub food at Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese Inn.
The way the alcohol situation works is that you tell the owners in advance what you would like and then pay them the cost price for it. They can buy you kegs of beers and ciders of your choice, then install them so that you don’t have the faff of figuring it all out. If you want to feel like Peggy from Eastenders, you can pull your own pints. However, if you’re not in the mood, the bar staff will do it for you for an additional charge.
When you’re not drinking, playing games or sitting in the hot tub, there are plenty of things to do in the Peak District. If you, unlike me, have 29 friends, seven-night stays start from £4,000 in October, costing guests just £19 per person, per night. You can’t really go wrong!
Book your stay via The Poachers Arms website here.
The Poachers Arms, 95 Castleton Rd, Hope, Hope Valley, S33 6SB