Longbow Bars & Restaurants to reopen The Ashford Arms
The 17th century country pub and restaurant in Ashford-in-the-Water, near Bakewell, will open on 4 March having been forced to close its doors in 2020 as a result of the pandemic.
The lease was taken on by Rob Hattersley, owner of Longbow Bars & Restaurants, in 2023 and the site is currently undergoing a £1.6m refurbishment, with the pub’s ground floor, nine hotel bedrooms, gardens and kitchen in the final stages of transformation.
The reopened venue will have a 107-cover restaurant that will serve a menu overseen by executive chef Adrian Gagea with Chris Parker as head chef. Dishes will be ‘pub classics with a modern twist’ alongside those inspired by the team’s travels and world flavours.
Menus will change according to the season, and what is being grown nearby, with ingredients supplied by local farms, heritage brewers and artisan producers. The pub will serve breakfast, lunch (including Sunday lunch), and dinner.
“It feels incredible to be so close to reopening this special country pub. We’ve had such positive feedback from locals, who are excited to have it on their doorstep again,” says Hattersley.
“It will also be ideal for those from further afield, wanting to spend time in this stunning corner of the Peak District. It’s in the perfect location to finish off a walk in the countryside with a glass of something, or a bite to eat – and the comfortable rooms make it a wonderful base for those that want to stay and explore the area.
“Everything we have planned for The Ashford Arms is about providing our guests with a premium pub experience. It’s about warmth, joy, cosiness, seasonal dishes that feel special but aren’t at all fussy or overcomplicated.
"It’s about feeling welcomed and at home as soon as you step in the door. It’s everything that we would ever want in a pub ourselves, and we can’t wait to share it.”
Longbow Bars & Restaurants was founded shortly before the pandemic hit, with Hattersley selling his house to fund his first venue, The Maynard in Hope Valley. This was followed by the opening of The George, a bar, restaurant and hotel in Hathersage.
