The days are getting shorter and there’s a chill in the air. Hot chocolate season is here, and that warm cup of cocoa has replaced the homemade ice-cream bribe on our Peak District family walks. Added marshmallows and whipped cream are a must, of course, for that perfect hug in a mug to warm up on a cold and rainy day in the Peak District.
So where to go for a hot chocolate in the Peak District? Well the team here at Peak District Kids have their regular haunts to share, but we’ve also included places that have been included by members of the Peak District Kids Facebook group.
Check the map below for locations of the best hot chocolate in the Peak District:
1. Hassop Station Cafe
hassopstation.co.uk
Hassop, Bakewell, DE45 1NW
Situated right on the Monsal Trail, the hot chocolates here topped with marshmallow and whipped cream are a perfect treat after a cycle. There’s also an outdoor play area, and a covered outdoor seating area. Free parking directly outside the café.
2. Colemans Deli
colemansdeli.com
The Square, Main road, Hathersage, S32 1BB
Built in a rustic old building in the heart of Hathersage, Colemans Hathersage Deli has most fun staff in the village, and they also do vegan hot chocolate. It’s a perfect pit stop after your Hathersage Stepping Stone walk, Stanage Edge walk, or a dip at Hathersage Swimming Pool. There’s free parking right outside as well as a small outdoor patio. Good WiFi too.
3. Grindleford Station Café
@grindlefordcafe
Upper Padley, Grindleford S32 2JA
A back to basics café at this station on the Hope Valley line between Manchester and Sheffield. Open 7 days a week, it’s an excellent stop for a hot chocolate treat after our Padley Gorge walk. Just remember to bring cash, as they don’t take cards.
4. Bull i Thorn
bullithorn.co.uk
Ashbourne Road, Hurdlow SK17 9QQ
An old 15th century pub turned café and campsite, close to the High Peak Trail. The fresh and airy decor is refreshing, and the hot chocolates piled high with whipped cream are sublime.
5. Charlotte’s Chocolates
charlotteschocolates.com
Unit 1 Cavendish Arcade,
The Crescent, Buxton, SK17 6BQ
“If heaven was a Chocolate Shop, it would look a bit like Charlotte’s.” With flavours created on the premises, and guaranteed to set your taste-buds tingling, Charlotte’s is the best chocolatier around. The hot chocolates are heavenly.
6. The Bird Cafe
thebirdcafe.com
The Bird Cafe, Hathersage, Hope Valley S32 1EG
Wonder why this hot chocolate stop just outside Hathersage is called The Bird Café? Well it’s because the large window overlooking the River Derwent is a perfect place to spot birds; they come right up to the window and you may even spot a squirrel! Not a bad view at all whilst you sip your hot chocolate. The food here is also fantastic, the staff lovely, and there’s a little garden centre attached. It’s also very close to the Hathersage Stepping Stones walk.
7. Brick Corner
@brickcornercafe
2 South Ave, Buxton SK17 6JZ
How about some Lego with your hot chocolate? Brick Corner café in Buxton serves three different types of hot chocolate (dark, milk, and white) alongside delicious cakes, and there are boxes galore of Lego for you to play with! They also run Lego robotics and coding sessions for kids (check this website for booking details). This is one of our top things to do in Buxton with kids.
8. The Grasshopper
grasshoppercafe.co.uk
18 Castleton Road, Hope S33 6RD
Home of speciality coffee, delicious food, craft beers, and more importantly, good hot chocolate! They do a smaller kids’ hot chocolate with cream and marshmallows, and three jazzed up ones for those older (kids); salted caramel, spiced pumpkin and frosted mint. Super friendly service in a contemporary setting.
9. Blaze Farm
blazefarm.com
Wildboarclough, Macclesfield SK11 0BL
Blaze Farm is one of our favourite places to visit with our boys who love visiting the farm animals and following the nature trail. Whilst the homemade Peak District ice-cream is the main reason people visit, they also serve a pretty awesome hot chocolate too!
10. Hartington Farm Shop and Café
@hartingtonfarmshopandcafe
Unit 1 Mill Ln, Hartington SK17 0AN
Oozing with character and charm, the hot chocolates here get a big thumbs up from kids and sure to put a smile on their face after a long walk. In fact, this café is the start and end point of our Hartington walk.
11. Farm Made Tearooms
@farmmadetearooms
Paddockside, Oakenbank Ln, Rainow, Macclesfield SK10 5RP
A cute little cafe right on the National Park boundary in Cheshire. There is also a range of homemade cakes, sandwiches and soups.
12. The Penny Pot Cafe
@pennypotcafe
Station Approach, Edale, S33 7ZA
Right next to Edale Station, so very hand if you’re getting the train in from Manchester or Sheffield, the hot chocolates are divine. Indoors there is a wood-burning stove, but there’s also outside seating under trees, and a separate covered area for shelter on a rainy day in the Peak District. Plus this cute café also has a book swap library where you can choose a book and either leave one you’ve already read or make a small donation towards buying more books from a charity shop.
13. Yonderman Café
yondermanncafe.com
A623, Wardlow Mires, Wardlow, Buxton SK17 8RW
There has been a café here for over 60 years. Open 7 days per week, the hot chocolate here is delicious. But it’s also worth stopping here longer for a bite to eat as the menu is very good value and most of their ingredients are locally sourced.
You may also like to read:
Best cafes and pubs in the Peak District with a playground
Best playgrounds in the Peak District
Things to do in the Peak District on a rainy day