The Cupola Kitchen & Rooms in the Peak District’s Stoney Middleton is encouraging visitors to make the most of the final weeks of winter with a February escape built around gentle walking, local history and good food, offering its acclaimed self-guided heritage walking trail maps free throughout the month.
Tucked into the dramatic limestone gorge of Middleton Dale, Stoney Middleton is one of the Peak District’s most distinctive villages. Shaped by ancient geology, lead-mining heritage and centuries of human stories, it offers a network of walking routes that reveal hidden viewpoints, folklore and historic landmarks at every turn.
The February initiative builds on The Cupola’s heritage trails, created in collaboration with the Stoney Middleton Heritage Centre Community Group, and designed to make the area’s rich history accessible, engaging and enjoyable for all ages and abilities.
Why Stoney Middleton feels different
The self-guided trails link Stoney Middleton with neighbouring plague village, Eyam, and take in some of the Peak District’s most evocative sites, from ancient packhorse routes and dramatic cliff edges to landmarks tied to national history and local legend.
Highlights include Black Harry Lane, once feared as the haunt of a notorious highwayman; Lover’s Leap, the dramatic cliff linked to one of Derbyshire’s most remarkable survival stories; the octagonal church - the oldest of only two in the country; the ancient Roman Baths, still fed by natural thermal springs; and the Boundary Stone, a powerful reminder of Eyam’s self-sacrifice during the Great Plague.
With 21 points of interest, QR-enabled storytelling and accessible interpretation, the trails offer a layered experience that blends landscape, geology, folklore and human resilience, all set within the striking limestone scenery of Middleton Dale.
A warm, winter-ready base for walkers and dogs
February availability is now open at The Cupola’s award-winning Rock Mill Apartments - luxury, dog-friendly self-catering stays praised for their comfort, character and contemporary finish.
Each apartment provides a relaxed base for winter walking, with features designed to make cold-weather adventures easy and comfortable, including:
• A dedicated drying room for boots, coats and outdoor kit
• A stainless-steel dog wash station with dryer
• Step-free, accessible design across the site
• Direct access to heritage trails, woodland paths and routes to Eyam, Froggatt Edge and Curbar Edge
Throughout February, visitors can collect the heritage trail maps free of charge from The Cupola, encouraging gentle exploration during a quieter, more reflective time of year.
Flame-cooked food to end the day well
Food is central to the Cupola experience, with a menu built around flame-cooked comfort and quality ingredients. Highlights include wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, perfected after Head Chef Jamie Parker trained in Naples, flame-grilled smash burgers, hearty griddled breakfasts and relaxed seasonal specials.
For those visiting mid-month, The Cupola will also be offering a special Valentine’s menu on 14th February, providing a low-key option for couples combining a winter walk with a relaxed evening meal in a particularly atmospheric setting.
A February escape shaped by landscape, history and care
Colin Hall, Owner of The Cupola, said:
“February is a lovely time to experience this part of the Peak District. The days are starting to stretch out, the paths are quieter, and you really notice the detail in the landscape and the stories around you. By offering the heritage trail maps free throughout the month, we’re encouraging people to get outside, slow down and enjoy this special valley, whether they’re here for a walk, a meal or a short winter break.”
Since opening in 2024, The Cupola has quickly established itself as a standout Peak District destination, blending flame-cooked food, accessible hospitality, heritage storytelling and luxury, dog-friendly self-catering accommodation.
The venue has been shortlisted in three categories at the 2026 Visit Peak District & Derbyshire Tourism Awards - Accessible & Inclusive Tourism, Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year, and Unsung Hero for Head Chef Jamie Parker - and has also been named Self-Catering Accommodation of the Year - Derbyshire in the Central England Prestige Awards.
Accommodation, dining and walking experiences are available throughout February.
For more information, visit thecupola.uk.
