Happy World Cup Semi-Final Eve! Here's Where To Watch England In The Peak District
- Jen Bell I Editor I Good Life List Peak District
- Jul 14
- 5 min read
England are just one match away from another World Cup final, pubs across the Peak District are dusting off the big screens and half the county has suddenly rediscovered its love of football. Funny how that happens. Whether you've followed every minute of the tournament or couldn't have told us who England were playing until this morning, you're very welcome.
Rather than throwing together a list of 37 pubs with televisions, we've picked out places we know and love - whether the football's on or not. Brilliant food, decent pints (and wine lists), buzzing atmospheres and the type of pubs where celebrating an England goal with your arms around a complete stranger, the landlord or both feels totally acceptable.
Have we missed your favourite? Drop us a line at hello@thegoodlifelist.co.uk and we'll add it to the list.
The Monsal, Monsal Head
Watching England with one of the Peak District's most famous views isn't exactly a bad way to spend a Wednesday evening. The Monsal will be showing the match on the big screen, pairing cold drinks and hearty food with what is almost certainly one of the best backdrops of any football venue in the country. This lovely hotel, restaurant and bar was recently taken on by the same owners behind nearby favourite The Packhorse Inn in Little Longstone, so we wholly recommend ordering some of their delicious food before you settle in for the match.
The Charleston, Bakewell
If the weather forecasters have got it right (currently sunny all day, 26 degrees - get in!), this could be one of the standout places to watch the semi-final anywhere in Derbyshire. The Charleston is bringing the match outdoors with a projector in its stunning courtyard garden, creating the sort of atmosphere that feels made for a big summer sporting occasion.
There's no booking system, so it's very much a case of arriving early, grabbing a drink and claiming your spot before kick-off. The evening and bar menus will be available throughout the match, while groups can tuck into sharing plates (three for £15.50 or four for £19.95), which feels like the perfect way to settle in for what could be a very memorable evening.
The Ashford Arms, Ashford-in-the-Water
The Ashford Arms is showing the match live in its Pergola, with extra outdoor seating available if you'd rather soak up a summer evening than sit inside. From 7pm you can also order any burger with a selected drink for £20, making this an excellent option if football is kind of just an excuse to enjoy a good meal with friends. Like any big England match, it's first come, first served, so aim to arrive well before the national anthem.
The George, Hathersage
If you're the organised one in the group who likes knowing exactly where you're sitting, The George might be your best bet. The semi-final will be shown in the Dragons' Den, where you can book ahead before getting comfy with any pizza and a selected drink for £17 from 7pm. The George already has a great atmosphere even without a group of men kicking a ball around. Throw in a World Cup semi-final and we suspect it won't take much to get the whole room singing!
The White Lion, Great Longstone
Sometimes you don't need giant screens or gimmicks. You just need a lovely traditional village pub, a good pint and plenty of people cheering in the same direction. The White Lion has all of that covered. Popular with locals, walkers and visitors alike, it's the ideal option if you'd rather escape the bigger crowds while still enjoying a wonderful atmosphere.
The Grapes, Bamford
If you like your football with proper pub food rather than a sad basket of chips, The Grapes is a cracking shout. Sitting in the heart of Bamford, this welcoming village pub has built a loyal following for its relaxed atmosphere, friendly service and a menu starring dishes like slow-cooked beef featherblade with creamy mash and red wine jus, steak and ale pie, beer-battered cod and chips and smoked haddock fish pie. Add a pint, settle in to watch the match with a room full of locals and visitors, and you've got all the ingredients for a very good Wednesday night - especially if England give us something to celebrate.
The Scotsman's Pack, Hathersage
Sitting beside a trout stream in the heart of Hathersage, The Scotsman's Pack is an absolute beauty - easily one of the Peak District's most characterful country pubs. The kitchen serves home-cooked food using local produce, so you're not choosing between football or a decent dinner. You can get everything from steak and ale pie and burgers to seasonal specials, with homemade cakes on the bar if you still have room afterwards. If you're making a day of it, squeeze in a walk around Stanage Edge or Padley Gorge first, then settle in for ninety minutes of shouting at the referee.
The Anglers Rest, Bamford
Just a few minutes away, The Anglers Rest offers another fantastic Hope Valley option. Sitting right in the heart of Bamford, it's a pub that's equally popular with walkers returning from Bamford Edge and Ladybower as it is with village regulars, creating exactly the kind of warm, welcoming atmosphere you want on a big match night. Good food, excellent beer and true Peak District hospitality make this one an easy recommendation.
The Peak Hotel, Castleton
If you're planning to start Wednesday with Mam Tor or Winnats Pass before ending with the football, The Peak Hotel is going to be a hard one to beat. It's long been loved by both walkers and locals, and the combo of traditional pub food, comfortable surroundings and a World Cup semi-final should make for a brilliant atmosphere.
Buxton Brewery
Big screen? Yep. Excellent beer? Obviously. One of the best beer gardens in the Peak District? Also yes. Buxton Brewery always draws a crowd for major sporting events and, given what's at stake tomorrow evening, we'd strongly recommend booking ahead if you can.
The Calver Arms, Calver
The Calver Arms is another excellent shout if you're after pub food, a lively atmosphere and somewhere that takes football seriously enough without taking itself too seriously. If England make it through, don't expect anyone to rush home after the final whistle.
Whether you're watching from a packed courtyard in Bakewell, a cosy Hope Valley pub or a beer garden somewhere with a burger in one hand and a pint in the other, here's hoping tomorrow gives us one of those sporting nights we'll all still be talking about years from now.
Come on England!
Image: The Good Life List (AI-generated. We don't use AI images as a rule, but Harry Kane was surprisingly difficult to persuade to pop over to the Peak District for a pint and a photoshoot.)
