A Much-Loved Peak District Hotel Is For Sale After 46 Years

Image Credit: Biggin Hall / Website

Tucked away in one of the less touristy corners of the Peak District, Biggin Hall is the kind of place people tend to come back to and feel very strongly about. You only have to look at the very good reviews on Google to see that.

Not because it’s flashy or particularly showy, but because it does something increasingly rare - it gets the basics right. A friendly welcome, good food, and historically beautiful, relaxed surroundings that allow you to properly switch off for a couple of days.

It’s also one of those places that doesn’t always shout about itself. In a world where everything feels documented, reviewed and endlessly shared, we're always slightly surprised that there are still people in the Peak District who have never heard of it. And yet, for those who have, it often becomes a go-to.

Now, after more than four decades under the same ownership, it’s about to change hands.

A place that’s been built slowly

Biggin Hall dates back to the 17th century and probably looks very similar to when it was built. It has some lovely period features, such as the lead windows, original stonework, low beams, rooms that don’t all look the same.

James Moffett and his former wife bought Biggin Hall in the 1970s, opening it to guests in 1980 after a significant renovation to bring it back to its former glory. Over the years, it has grown into a well-regarded hotel and restaurant, but without losing the character that made it appealing in the first place.

That kind of long-term approach is increasingly unusual.

In a region where hospitality businesses are often refreshed, repositioned or expanded, there’s something reassuring about a place that has developed more gradually, shaped by consistency rather than constant change.

The end of a long chapter

At 87, James has made the decision to step back.

After 46 years, the sale of Biggin Hall feels like more than just a business decision. It marks the end of a period of steady, hands-on ownership that has shaped the experience for thousands of guests over the years.

And it’s clear from the reviews that this hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Biggin Hall currently holds a 4.7 rating on Google - a strong score for a hotel of its kind - with feedback that points to the same things: the atmosphere, the food and the service.

One guest described their stay simply as:

“Fantastic… the food was delicious… the perfect full English… we are definitely returning.”

Another highlighted what keeps people coming back:

“The staff are friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is welcoming and cosy… one of our favourite places to go.”

And for some, it becomes part of much bigger moments:

“We had our wedding at Biggin Hall… it honestly exceeded all expectations… a truly special place.”

It’s those kinds of experiences that tend to define places like this - not one-off visits, but repeated stays, recommendations and word of mouth.

A particular kind of Peak District stay

Set in open countryside near Buxton, Biggin Hall sits in a part of the Peak District that feels a little less busy than some of the better-known spots.

From the door, you’re straight into walking country - limestone dales, open fields and quiet lanes - with Buxton, Bakewell and Ashbourne all within easy reach.

The hotel itself offers 19 individually furnished rooms, along with a bar and restaurant that has built a loyal following over the years.

But more than the details, it’s the overall feel that stands out.

This isn’t somewhere built around trends or big statements. It’s somewhere you come when you want things to be straightforward, comfortable and well done.

That kind of offering doesn’t always get the same attention as newer, more design-led venues - but it’s exactly what a lot of people are looking for.

What happens next

The property is now on the market, with an asking price of £1.75 million, and will likely attract interest from experienced operators looking to take on an established business.

What’s harder to predict is what the next chapter will look like.

Will it stay much as it is, keeping the same feel and pace?

Or will it be updated and repositioned to reflect a different style of Peak District hospitality?

We're hoping for the first but either way, it will be a change worth watching.

Why it matters

Biggin Hall isn’t the most talked-about place in the Peak District. But that’s kind of the point.

It’s a place that people find, return to, and recommend over coffee to friends - which, in many ways, is a stronger endorsement than anything else.

Its sale is a reminder of how much the region’s hospitality scene continues to change. New openings, new ideas and new ownerships are part of that - but so too is recognising the value of places that have been built carefully over time.

If you’ve never been, it’s the sort of place that’s worth discovering.

And if you have, you’ll probably already understand why its sale is such a big deal.

Let us know if you've been and whether you have any thoughts/concerns about its sale (you can drop us a line at hello@thegoodlifelist.co.uk). It'd be great to hear from you.