The Cheshire Cheese Inn's history
The Inn owes its name to being an overnight stopping point on the old salt carrying route from Cheshire across the Pennines to Yorkshire.
Payment for lodging at the Inn was actually made in Cheese. The original cheese hooks can still be seen in the lower room. Today it retains a relaxed unspoiled, old world atmosphere with open fires, traditionally brewed hand pulled beer and a reputation for good wholesome food.
Indeed, one of the original doorways is still visible next to the present entrance. While the adjacent cottage now part of the inn originally had a doorway at the head of a set of stone steps leading to the upper storey.
The ways through, and across the valley, held their importance for salt traffic in medieval times, and also with the sheep drovers. The building we know as the Cheshire Cheese Inn was originally a small farmstead, set back from the old pack horse route. Much of the old salt route has now disappeared beneath the fields across the valley towards Edale, and has been replaced by the present road.
The Cheshire Cheese was not an uncommon sign. The original intention was to denote that good entertainment, bread and cheese as well as beer was to be had within and this tradition continues today.
Full history including photographs are on display in the pub.
The Team
The Cheshire Cheese Inn is a traditional country pub run by Owner Laura Offless and Deputy Manager/Head Chef Becky Hill along with the help of a small but dedicated team of staff.
Laura has considerable experience in the hospitality industry and has a BA (Honours) degree in Leisure Management from Solent University. After working within the pub and restaurant trade whilst studying, Laura pursued a career within the expedition and adventurous activity industry and after almost 10 years became Head of UK Operations for a leading expedition provider. A large part of her job was to run a 90 bed training and leadership centre based in Buxton, Derbyshire. She then completed her PGCE and became a Lecturer for the University of Derby where she taught on Sport, Outdoor Education, Event Management and Public Services Courses.
Becky joined us as our sous chef in April 2012 and was promoted to Head chef in November 2013. Becky has been Deputy Manager and Head Chef since September 2015. During her time as sous chef, Becky was also gaining qualifications at the University of Derby, she gained her professional cookery level 2 NVQ and also has both her basic and intermediate food hygiene, along with 12 years experience working in the catering trade. Since her promotion to head chef many positive changes have taken place notably a brand new lunchtime menu, homemade chips and a fabulous homemade crumble!
Laura has been the landlady of The Cheshire Cheese Inn since December 2010. She has the support of her husband Craig Offless. Craig enjoys being the weekly quiz master and also looking after our range of beer and the cellar.
We are brilliantly supported by a hard-working team of staff who all live locally to the pub.
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