The Boot Inn

The Boot Inn

Set in the picturesque heart of Repton, Derbyshire, The Boot Inn – The Boot is a thoughtfully restored 17th-century coaching inn that blends characterful historic charm with modern comforts. Just eight miles southwest of Derby and bordering the National Forest, the inn offers a refined yet relaxed base for couples or friends seeking a countryside gourmet break. Both the inn and its restaurant are known for their locally rooted ethos and a notable culinary reputation, making it equally appealing for food-focused weekends and gentle rural exploring.

At a glance

• Accommodation: 9 rooms
• Primary restaurant: The Boot Inn — 2 AA Rosettes
• Google guest rating: 4.6/5 from 402 reviews

Why we like it

The Boot Inn works especially well for a Gourmet Getaway because the AA-Rosette-level dining gives dinner real weight, while the small-scale inn character keeps the stay relaxed and joined-up.

Eat

The Boot Inn

The Boot is a 2 AA Rosette gastropub where the pub and restaurant are the centre of the stay. The food is modern British and produce-led, mixing carefully cooked pub classics with more ambitious seasonal specials.

The tone is lively and informal rather than fine-dining formal. Recent guest feedback repeatedly praises roasts, fish, meat dishes and breakfast, which fits the restaurant's reputation for generous, well-executed pub food.

The restaurant is on site. Because the bar and dining room are integral to the inn, this is the sort of place where dinner, drinks and bed naturally form one experience rather than three separate bookings.

Sleep

After dinner, settle into one of The Boot Inn’s elegant yet cosy bedrooms. Each room is distinct, with period features, rich textiles, and contemporary touches providing restful comfort. Superior beds, sleek en-suites, and thoughtful extras make it a rewarding stay for those who appreciate a sense of style with their rural bolthole. The blend of rustic beams and modern palettes appeals to both weekend escapists and business travellers looking for more than a cookie-cutter hotel.

Retreat

Step outside into Repton’s atmospheric streets, just a short stroll from the River Trent’s leafy banks. A two-night break could include gentle walks along local trails, historic visits to Repton’s ancient priory, or forays into the National Forest, less than 15 minutes by car. The nearby market towns of Burton-upon-Trent and Ashby-de-la-Zouch offer independent shops and antiques browsing. For those without a car, Repton is around 20 minutes by taxi from Derby’s mainline station, connecting easily to London and the Midlands. After exploring, the inn’s dog-friendly bar and peaceful beer garden are ideal spots to unwind with a house-brewed pint.

The Gourmet Getaway

Indicative build-your-own Gourmet Getaway: the live price panel combines our current accommodation-and-breakfast benchmark with the selected restaurant's dining cost for two. It is designed for comparison and is not an official hotel package price. Because room and menu prices can change, use the price panel as the current indicative figure.

If you prefer an official hotel package, check the hotel's direct offers for the dates you are considering; availability and inclusions can change.

Best for

Food-led short breaks · Countryside weekends · Inn and restaurant-with-rooms stays · Dog-friendly stays · Families · AA Rosette dining

What guests say

Google reviews currently average 4.6/5 from 402 reviews. Recent reviewers repeatedly praise the food, generous portions, welcoming staff and the atmosphere of both the bar and restaurant. Breakfast is another recurring positive, and several guests describe returning or recommending the inn after both meals and overnight stays.

A small minority of reviews raise concerns about value, discretionary service charges or isolated service issues. Even allowing for those, the dominant impression is of a lively gastropub where food and hospitality are the main reasons people come back — exactly the qualities that matter for a short Gourmet Getaway.

Gourmet Getaways view

The Boot Inn is a good example of why restaurant-with-rooms and gastropub stays belong on Gourmet Getaways. It is informal rather than grand, but the two-AA-Rosette dining gives the evening real credibility and the historic Repton setting adds enough character to make the overnight stay feel worthwhile.