The Lantern Pike, Little Hayfield, sits in a hollow alongside the Hayfield to Glossop road; almost within the shadow of Kinder Scout. The picturesque stone pub is popular in summer with walkers and other visitors to the High Peak area and the pleasant elevated rear patio area commands superb views along the Sett Valley to the west and also of nearby Lantern Pike hill from which the pub takes its name. Inside, however, the pub is equally enjoyable in winter with the small cosy lounge being warmed by the open fire. This part of the Peak District has a number of strong connections with early episodes of Coronation Street with actors Arthur Lowe and Pat Phoenix being previous residents of the area, as was producer Bill Podmore. Nowhere, arguably, has stronger links however than the Lantern Pike with a number of the earliest episodes being penned by series originator, and one time local resident, Tony Warren while sitting in the lounge bar close to the fire. Many years later Tony wrote to a previous licensee about his fond memories of the pub and this letter along with photos of the original cast hangs in a frame on the wall close to the spot where Tony once sat. The pub’s notable history did not, however, start in the 1960’s with Coronation Street as it hit the headlines in 1927 when the landlady at the time was brutally murdered upstairs in the pub. The perpetrator was a local man who had fallen on hard times during the depression and his motive was to steal the pub’s takings. He was caught and hanged soon afterwards and some say the pub remains haunted by the murdered landlady.
Today the Lantern Pike is a comfortable country inn with separate dining areas in addition to the cosy lounge bar; five en-suite bedrooms also provide accommodation for visitors wishing to stay in the area. The licensees, Tom & Stella Cunliffe, offer an extensive menu from bar snacks to ‘a la carte’ and of course the ever popular Sunday lunches. The regular hand-pulled beers on offer are Black Sheep Best Bitter, Taylor’s Landlord, plus Wren’s Nest from local Glossop brewery Howard Town. The additional trade brought by the summer visitors allows Tom to add a further cask beer to these regulars. The superb surrounding hills and valleys make this area a giant playground for all those interested in almost any form of outdoor pursuit. Whether you are such a person, or merely wish to take in the views while partaking of the fare on offer you will certainly enjoy your visit to the Lantern Pike. Some limited dedicated parking space is available to the front and side of the pub, which can also be reached on bus service 61 connecting Glossop with New Mills and Buxton. Little Hayfield is also within walking distance of Hayfield itself which features a number of other good pubs and is accessible by other bus services in addition to the Sett Valley Trail for walkers, cyclists and horse riders.
