Tea rooms are a charming pit stop during a rural day out. One such establishment in the Peak District offers some of the most breathtaking views in the UK.

The self-proclaimed 'highest tea room in England' is the Peak View Tea Rooms, situated on the A537 Cat and Fiddle on the western edge of the national park. And it's just a 45-minute drive from Stoke-on-Trent.

On a clear day, visitors can reportedly see as far as Snowdon, which is roughly 100 miles away in North Wales. Perched an impressive 1,670 feet above sea level, the tea room offers stunning vistas. The original establishment was set up in 1956 and named The Moorland Cafe.

It later became known as Dish and Spoon and in the 1980s it was bought by new proprietors and rebranded as the Shining Tor restaurant.

Now operating as The Peak View Tea Rooms, it has always been a place for people to enjoy food amidst picturesque surroundings. Gail and Philip Heath took over the business in 2007, maintaining many of its original features, reports DerbyshireLive.

These include the original beams and firestone, as well as the original Traser tiles from the 1950s.

When CheshireLive paid a visit to the Peak View Tea Rooms back in 2022, it was only a brief trip but the journey alone would have made the visit worthwhile. Travelling through the hills up the Cat and Fiddle, the views are simply awe-inspiring.

If the idea of traversing through the hills doesn't appeal to you, a visit to Peak View Tea Rooms will assure you that it was worth the trip. As soon as you park outside the tea room, you're met with an awe-inspiring view across the Cheshire plain.

Gail, a staff member, pointed out that on a clear day, Mount Snowdon can be seen over the horizon. But it's not just the sweeping views that make this spot a great pit stop. The tea room retains a traditional cafe atmosphere, decorated with vintage antiques and various photos from its history.

Upon reaching the Peak View Tea Rooms, all the staff were friendly and served with a smile. Despite my visit being on a weekday Thursday afternoon, the place was teeming with customers.

Nearly every table was taken, and a few were reserved, including one for a birthday celebration for a regular patron, as Gail told me. Luckily, there was a small table free for me to sit down and enjoy some grub.

A quick look at the menu showed all the usual fare of a classic tea room, including sandwiches, paninis, and a tempting cake display.

Customers were enjoying scones and tea while having their lunch against the stunning view backdrop. My lunch was delicious - I chose a tomato, pesto and mozzarella panini served with chips.

The Peak View Tea Rooms' traditional, open-hatch kitchen is a standout feature, filling the establishment with that quintessential cafe aroma and offering customers a peek into an impeccably clean kitchen.

In addition to its standard menu and daily specials board, the tea room also offers a selection of beers and wines, ensuring all tastes are catered for. It's also an ideal spot for special occasions like Mother's and Father's Days or birthday celebrations.

After a delightful visit, I'm eagerly looking forward to returning in warmer weather to fully enjoy the outdoor seating area and the stunning views it provides.

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