Pool Cafe, Hathersage in Derbyshire Dales

Came here for a spot of lunch and it was lovely! Lovely young lad serving ( not sure his name) but he was very accomadating and polite! Thank you!

Great shout out to lovely Ollie who not only served us efficiently and cheerfully with good food,but then went on to help us with a medical emegency -providing us with helpful information to get to some support .Thankyou!

Popped into the cafe after its recent excellent refit on a glorious morning after my swim and had a great Turkish breakfast and Cappuccino. Yes a Turkish breakfast in Hathersage.it was absolutely fabulous and can be thoroughly recommend.

A wonderful cafe in a wonderful setting. Amazing food, lovely staff who make you feel very welcome and a smart new look following its refurbishment. Best breakfast around!

A big ‘Thankyou’ to the staff today. We took my elderly Mum , who’s a wheelchair user, to the cafe for a coffee. The staff couldn’t have been more helpful in meeting her needs and in helping us to negotiate the door with her wheelchair.

Amazing food and lovely friendly staff. One of the hidden gems in the Peak District. Great menu with plenty of healthy choices. The chef must be very good. Perfect food after an outdoor swim. Good atmosphere in the cafe with lots of swimmers and cyclists. Highly recommended.

Very popular cafe for the folks who have been swimming, but we called in and managed to find a table. very prompt service especially considering how busy they were. Good choice of sandwiches, pizzas, salad plates and hot drinks. Easy parking opposite.

I walked in and sat down, there were two other customers and two members of staff. I looked at a menu, chose what I wanted, put the menu down and waited…and nothing happened. After 15 minutes two customers walked in and ordered at the counter. If for some inexplicable reason you don’t take customers orders at their table, you should at least say that when customers arrive…it’s a cafe!!! So I ordered at the counter and was eventually served a full English breakfast that was poor quality, the worst sausages I’ve ever had, in a place surrounded by farms. I’m currently sitting in Tilly’s in Castleton, 10 minutes away, I sat down, I was greeted with a smile and my order was taken within 5 minutes AT MY TABLE! Because it’s a cafe!!! The breakfast was excellent, the staff friendly and welcoming.

I sat down and looked at a menu, after 20 minutes neither of the two staff members came to my table. A couple walked in and ordered at the counter, so I realised they didn’t offer table service, weird for a cafe. Firstly, regardless of your policy, if a customer walks in and sits down, they are clearly there to eat, so why not tell them they have to order at the counter? Secondly, there is no solid partition between the gents and the ladies toilet which is not acceptable. Thirdly, the breakfast was adequate at best and that’s the fattiest and worst sausage I’ve ever tasted, in a region surrounded by local farms. Put a clear sign somewhere that tells customers that you can’t be bothered to walk 3 metres to their tables and that they have to order at the counter, block the gaps up between the gents and ladies toilets, and have a word with your meat suppliers. Rubbish, I obviously won’t be returning.

Popped in here before our swim. Nice coffee and cake and very convenient if visiting the pool. Nice indoor and outdoor seating areas

Went to buy an ice cream and pop to the toilet, but the owner sent me away to use some public toilets. I decided not to buy the ice cream!

Had high hopes for this cafe, spotted it mid hike with my 65 year old mum. Weather was awful so thought we’d get some shelter outside for a rest as I’m also pregnant. We saw the sign about only customers can eat on the premises so we ordered 2 coffees and 2 slices of cake. We hadn’t originally planned to stop but with the weather being so bad and myself being pregnant we thought it would be ok to eat our small sandwiches as long as we were paying customers. It was dead, only another couple outside with us, but we were told by the owner we couldn’t eat our sandwich, even though we bought plenty from his business. So we decided to leave as that’s not the service I wish to be a paying customer for. Just a shame that a 65 year old and pregnant lady were treated in such a way on a rainy day. I would have been back as we walk a lot in this area, but unfortunately will not be now.

A great cafe for dinner (mid day meal!) there is a really good selection of food and a new vegan menu, which is excellent. Lovely teas and nice cakes too. Staff really friendly and helpful. Plenty of tables inside and out, the cafe is popular with cyclists, so the food must be good! Order at the counter and the food comes quickly, is hot ( when required) and often comes with a nice salad. Food is always tasty too. Only downsides are the toilets are tiny and they don't do the breakfast menu after 11.30am. Also the broccoli and cheese bake was a popular choice for our group and is no longer available.

Me and my husband stopped off here while on a walk at the weekend, we had 2 coffee's and a slice of cake and they were delish. The service was also really quick which was surprising considering how busy it was.

Excellent cafe food, made to order,. Sat indoors due to weather but large terrace outside for better weather.

Lovely staff and quick service - even after a flood of people from end of swim. Great choice of food on the board, nicely presented and well priced. I had a wander round Hathersage after my swim and came straight back, as this offered the best choice and price.

Stumbled across this place when looking for somewhere for breakfast early on a Tuesday. Both had full English breakfasts but they were kind enough to swap my bacon which was lovely. Very friendly staff in general and great value for money. They have a covered seating area outside as well as seats inside. Cheap and cheerful and does what it says on the tin. They also had a variety of yummy looking cakes in a counter but we didn’t order any.

The best breakfast we've had for a long time. Manager and Manageress were very welcoming and service very quick. Would highly recommend.

Lovely start to the day. I met friends who I had not seen since before the first Lockdown and we enjoyed a very nice breakfast. Good vegan choices too. I will visit again.

Cosy cafe for a quick coffee and bite to eat after swimming. Very good gluten free selection of food and cakes.

I am a regular visitor to this cafe and have been impressed by the way they are managing to operate safely. I was particularly impressed this morning when an outside table that had been reserved for 6 somehow morphed into a table for 7. As soon as this was noticed the owner came out and very pleasantly but very firmly explained that a party of 7 was not acceptable (with the desired result). It's not always easy, particularly in these times, to challenge people and this was done in such a professional way that I felt it deserved a review.

We had booked for the pool but were delighted to find such a great cafe beside. The food and drink were well prepared and had a good variety on the menu. It was good value for money and staff were pleasant.

We really enjoyed our visit yesterday and was more than ready for some lunch after an adventurous walk at Surprise View. We chose the pork sandwich and chips special which was extremely yummy and did not disappoint. We also had a tasty dessert each. There was hand sanitiser for customers to help themselves to when needed. The customer service was wonderful as the lady whom served us was very friendly and approachable. Would love to visit again.

First time I have visited since Covid, it is my usual haunt when in the Peaks. Despite takeaway only, usual friendly efficient service, usual great food. Good to be able to support it in my own small way.

We tried the new offering from the guys at the Pool Cafe...... Pizza!!Its worth noting, these are not wood fires pizza, they are stone banked. Personally I much prefer the stone baked, so all was good!Quite simply the best pizza i have had in a long time. I asked for added garlic, and they didn't hold back....... just as i like it.They asked for feedback due to this being a new service. Feedback is....... don't change a thing!!!!!!

Visit here on a regular basis,staff pleasant and service very efficient and friendly,great selection of cakes and cooked food and reasonably priced. Would reccomend a visit

Friendly welcome and brisk service, arrived at end of a busy period, after a good walk Very good value pork bap with chips

We had been for an early morning walk & called in for breakfast.Staff were very pleasant, we ordered tea , a bacon sandwich & a bacon, sausage & egg sandwich all were very nice.Never been into the cafe before but would definitely call in again.

Great Christmas Lunch at the pool cafe. Three courses all well made including turkey with all the trimmings. Gluten free diet catered for too. Other customers were having regular menu items. A pulled meat sandwich with chips looked particularly good, a massive portion of chips and a mouth stretching sandwich crammed with roast meat. Wholesome and without “cheffy” frills the food is tasty and filling.

What a fantastic find. Great cafe, amazing food at affordable prices and friendly staff. We had the hot pork and stuffing roll - it was to die for and huge. We will definitely be back to try some of the cakes as they looked delicious especially the homemade scones. Dogs are welcome outside in the covered area overlooking the tennis courts and there is even an outdoor heated pool if you fancy a dip. ‍♂️‍♂️

Great food great service great prices we were worried we wouldn't have beakfast but decided to true there we were very impressed

I called in with a group of cyclists on 17 September for a lunch break towards the end of a longish ride. The food was unfussy, in generous portions and swiftly served with efficiency and good humour. The 'Pete's Eats' of the Peak District!!!

Visited here with my daughter after having a swim at the pool.There are plenty of options on the menu, whether you are after a light bite or something more substantial you should find something to suit. My daughter opted for a jacket potato with tuna mayo, I went for a coffee and a rhubarb flapjack.You order and pay at the till, the food and coffee arrived not long after.The flapjack was very good and my daughter polished off the jacket potato. There is plenty of seating inside and also outside of the weather is good. If we are in the area again we would pay another visit.If you are travelling by car, there is a car park just across the road.

I visit this cafe 4-5 times a year. The food is tasty, portion sizes are quite big, the staff are friendly & efficient. It’s clean despite the fact that they are always busy. I would recommend visiting here if you’re in the area. Thumbs up from me!

Starting of I ordered my daughter cheesy nachos with no jalapeños or salsa, 5 minutes later the order came and it had jalapeños and salsa was all over it.... so I took it back and a couple of minutes later the nachos came, and the waiter was unbelievably rude to me about how I should have told him that I wanted no toppings, I told the waitress at the start. So after the rudeness of the waiter none of us had dessert.....

Lovely meal here after a swim. Good menu selection, including vegetarian and vegan. Friendly staff. Child friendly. All in all a good place to visit with the family. The pool itself is good too.

Nice chilled cafe in the Peak District. Caters for outdoor enthusiasts and all alike. Is basic and dated inside however do not let this put you off.

Friendly, helpful staff. Excellent coffee & delicious looking cakes (we didn't try any though). Lovely to be able to walk down the stairs from the pool straight into the cafe. We will be back.

Been taking my Father in law who has alzheimers here for the past few months. Staff are always very welcoming & helpful, know him by name & treat him like a King for the time he is there. Food is very nice cafe food, full english breakfast I found very nice. All of the cakes etc are fresh & tasty, Coffee is very nice. But the main thing about this cafe is the friendly atmosphere, nothing is too much for the staff. I would highly recommend this cafe to anyone without hesitation. This cafe is also used very well by the locals.

We called here after an invigorating walk in The Peak. Nice serving staff with warm smiles & a genuine welcome. Christmas menu looks very appetising & at a very reasonable cost. Warm & comfortable eaterie. Will be back soon. Thank you for the hospitality.

Care had gone into the setting of the table to make us feel all Chrismassy, so after pulling the crackers and groaning at the jokes we enjoyed all 3 courses of our Xmas lunch. It was followed by a substantial mince pie, coffee and an after 8 mint, all for less than £20. Glasses were set out ready as we fetched our own table drinks and a goblet of water with fresh lemon was also waiting for us. We could not have felt more welcomed, we regularly visit here and the food and staff are always amazing, thank you.

We visited for breakfast purely because it was the only place we could find open so early - 8am.

Situated in the pretty and popular Peak District village of Hathersage this is a very popular cyclist stop as its slightly outside of the main tourist trap of the town centre...and it’s a bit cheaper!

I needed somewhere to have breakfast before meeting friends for a day's climbing and it seems this is the place! (None of the other places in Hathersage open before 9.30). I had a nice breakfast and coffee and they were even kind enough to fill my flask with the soup of the day for me to take to the crag as the temperature had dropped considerably. The soup tasted absolutely delicious! Staff were all friendly too and food was served promptly. A great find.

My mum loves the Pool Cafe as she used to visit with my late dad, who had Alzheimers. So when we asked what she wanted to do for her 90th birthday, the answer was “go to the Pool Cafe for fish & chips.” So we booked the cafe out on Saturday evening, invited 30+ family and friends to a surprise party and had an “absolutely fabulous” time! Throughout the months of preparing, I’ve been communicating with Sue and never had to chase things up, communication has been great which has really helped us get things just right on the day itself. We were able to get into the cafe just after closing time on Saturday to decorate the room and set up, and nothing was too much trouble - Sue’s son even helped us (technophobes that we are!) set up our tv for the photo slideshow. We have had loads of lovely messages from people over the last couple of days saying how much they enjoyed the evening, particularly the food and the attentiveness of the staff. The food here is always delicious and as a family we would highly recommend it - if you’re looking for a venue for a family celebration do consider the Pool Cafe - we are so glad we did as it gave us and our mum an evening to remember! Thanks to Sue and the staff for a great party!

The restaurant we had intended to visit was closed, so looked for an alternative in Hathersage and came across the Pool cafe. Not the poshest but very good food and service. We all enjoyed our meal. Staff were very friendly and polite, plenty of choice on the menu, and not too long to wait for our food. All in all a good experience.

We visit regularly as we are season ticket holders for the swimming pool. The food is average to good and fairly priced, but presented promptly with a smile and the atmosphere is always friendly. Recommended for a classic British cafe experience - and a wonderful swimming pool!

The food here was OK for the price however the service was terribly slow. It wasn’t slow because it was busy but because it is badly managed. There are lots of young people work there which doesn’t have to mean bad service if they are well managed but it seemed to lack that and as a result you would order a bottle of coke and a bottle of water and rather then just give them to you at the till out of the fridge it took 20 minutes to bring them over. There is a takeaway counter for the pool and outside of the pool with one member of staff for both not serving in any particular order. Could be good considering location (pool next door is great) Just lacking basic customer service for me.

Don't need to have been swimming to go in here, just walk in. Good range of snacks and light lunches; pleasant atmosphere, good value

Doesn't look like the most inviting place as its under the swimming pool however the cooked breakfasts were exactly what we needed to set us up for a day walking! Lovely friendly ladies serving and taking orders. Food was delicious and at a very reasonable price. Would recommend and will visit again when we are in the area

Food great lovely blt. Service on drinks very poor. Asked twice for drinks but didn't come. 3rd time lucky after an hour

We called in and had a bite to eat and a drink. It doesn’t look the most inviting place to go but the food and drinks were good as was the cost. The staff were friendly and efficient and the place was clean. I have only one complaint and that is the way the tables and seating are set up. The seating space very limited. There are more tables for 6 than there are for 2 and 4 which means that when they’re busy you end up with only 2 people using a table meant for 6. They should set up more tables for 2s and 4s.

Called in after a walk from Grindleford & at 2pm the place was almost at capacity. Well presented meals of a great variety & friendly staff to look after every need. Good eating area outside when weather is much warmer! Reasonable prices & homemade food. Very impressed. Thank you for a warm welcome & tasty food.Hikers can bring in dirty boots & rucksacks.

This time 3 of us were here for a pre-Xmas lunch - and it was absolutely excellent. Two of us had delicious roast turkey dinners, with lots of veg (cooked just right - carrots, peas, sprouts) & crisp and tasty roast potatoes, plus loads of fresh gravy and cranberry sauce; the vegetarian in the party was treated to a brie and cranberry wellington in place of the turkey, which included a chopped mushroom filling, and proper vegetarian gravy on offer without even having to ask for it. Good value, served quickly and by really friendly staff, in the usual busy and enjoyable setting. Just great and another reminder why we love the cafe so much - as, clearly, do many others. Keep up the great work, guys..... :)

I popped in here for a light lunch and wasn't disappointed ! Charming staff who couldn't be more helpful. Had soup with a pile of bread and butter and bought some home made mince pies on way home.

Unpretentious cafe attached to swimming pool; we use it on our walks around Hathersage because it is open early. Good tea and coffee, range of cakes and super-size scones. We have not tried the lunch menu, but it seems reasonably priced.

I have done 2 walks from Hathersage recently and stopped here at the end on both occasions. The drinks/ food / soup are excellent and well priced, cake is also very good. Staff very friendly not only do they welcome dogs (to sit outside) they also bring them little treats..which was a lovely touch. Thank you and see you soon.

I have visited this cafe on many occasions and have always been very happy on every visit. The menu is not massive, but is supplemented by a specials board. I have tried most dishes and been happy with them all. The cafe stays open late (7.30pm) on a Friday night for the fish and chips which are excellent. I would also recommend the liver, which is served inside a large Yorkshire Pudding with mash and vegetables.

took our year 5 class for tea. brillant. all served hot food, good portions, tasty meals in the space of 5 minutes by the friendly staff. adults meals were lovely and the kid's plates were licked clean.

Glad we found this place. Fantastic fish and chips on Friday. Friendly staff. Will definitely visit again.

A really great place to stop off for a bit , prices look quite dear but when the food arrives...

We visited a couple of times while camping in Hathersage. It opens early at 8am and provides a good selection of cooked and continental breakfast.

A lovely place to stop and have a snack if you are in Hathersage, or have been swimming in the outdoor pool.

We went to the Pool Cafe before starting our hike up the Stanage Rocks. We had full English breakfast there and we really enjoyed the food.The eggs were cooked well with a runny yolk. There were good amounts of food on the plate. My husband was very pleased and we left quite full.

Lovely little cafe with good meal choices and snacks. Great for after swimming in the pool or taking part in other activities in the park or after a walk in the surrounding peaks.

Had several visits to this cafe, and we've just returned from our most recent, and they've delivered every time.Over the years we've had a full breakfast, soup and a sandwich, chip butties but best of all is a visit for fishy Friday...better fish and chips than you'll find in many a chippy.The service is always friendly and polite - top of the list for eating in Hathersage.

today we ordered fish and chips plus peas for 2 costing £13.the chips were frozen chips with no taste and the fish was so thin all batter and skin very little fish.we left most of the meal and 10mins after the meal my husband was sick and I am sat here feeling so sick, please save your money and don't bother

We didn't plan on going here but the Outdoor shop cafe didn't open until 9.30 am. Far too late for a breakfast for eager climbers and luckily some people walking past mentioned that they had eaten here before and said that it was good and it is. Extensive menu, great service and good price. You can sit outside as well on a sunny day. I was eyeing up all the very reasonably priced home made cakes and scones. We shall definitely return.

Good breakfasts, not the cheapest but you get a large breakfast. Also do a good variety of main meals.

Visited here on bank holiday Monday for lunch. Lovely sandwiches and jacket potato and a good pot of tea. The menu was varied, with a specials board, reasonable prices and the cakes look good. There is indoor and outdoor seating and a free car park, providing you can find a space.

This is ideal for feeding kids and offers a good menu of standard home cooked favourites. Staff are friendly and helpful. As a cafe it is good value for money although the decor could be freshened up as carpets appear old and dirty.

Really nice massive chip butties and fish finger butties on brown bread cakes ... yum xxAnd very nice friendly staff

Work going on at the pool but café open. Only had soup and a roll but everything looked very inviting including full lunch meals and cakes etc. Very friendly, nice atmosphere, good value.

Canny little cafe tucked away in the village. Nice tasty full English breakfast. Open early unlike the other cafes in the area. Would recommend. Peace ✌

Been here several times after a days walking in the Hathersage area. They have quite a lot of seating outside which is nice. We had lovely fish and chips here on a Friday evening. Lovely service and always friendly. They sell ice creams and yummy homemade cakes.

Good standard English food at modest prices. Open later on Friday evenings for fish and chips as well as usual meat dishes. Vegetarian choices available.

Went for a much needed breakfast after a dip in the pool. Was pleasantly surprised by the warmth inside the cafe and the good portion sizes

Visited Hathersage with friends on the weekend of the 11 November, ate breakfast at the Pool Cafe on Sunday 13.11.16. Vegetarian breakfasts for myself and my wife were fine, perhaps veggie sausages would be better than the veggie patty but it was all well cooked and welcome. Excellent coffee, fair price, no complaints.

We both had the hikers hash in a Yorkshire (in Derbyshire!) which was really good. Followed by a lovely scone. Good menu and other cakes. Service was friendly and despite being quite busy we weren’t kept waiting. Will return.

Great café after a swim in the lido .Good food at a good price. Really friendly staff & owner.Worth a visit even if you don't go swimming. As you don't need to go into the pool area.

We have been here after a long walk on a number of occasions and have never been disappointed. The highlight is the home made cakes. Also do good coffee.When they are busy the service can be a bit slow for large groups.

Always a wonderful atmosphere at hathersage pool and cafe. Fast service with a smile and usually lots of lovely bikes to look at too

This cafe was an added bonus after a nice dip in the open air pool with our 1 year old. Food reasonably priced, and tasty, service good and cheery, and a lovely backdrop behind of the rolling hills. Will come back!

This is a very good cafe serving lovely stuff - both lighter salads and proper pies. Indoor and outdoor seating. Not pretentious, and this is quite an achievement in a "chocolate-box" type of tourist attraction village/town. I think it is used by the locals as well as the visitors. You do not have to swim to use this cafe. Prompt. enjoyable. Well done.

Me and the eldest had a drink and some food here while the kids went swimming. Coffee was reasonable but a bit milky for a flat white. Chip butty was enormous for the price. Service friendly.

A lovely cafe run by lovely people. I just had a cuppa but it came with a little homemade biscuit on the side - much appreciated - and a friend had a jolly good piece of brownie. All the other cakes looked delicious and the savoury dishes sounded yummy.

Make time to pop in to eat or drink whilst out in the Peak District. It's an excellent place for refreshments after a visit to the great outdoor swimming pool.

We love the Pool Cafe at Hathersage, it is by far the best in the village with friendly staff, great outdoor seating and lovely food and drinks. Last Wednesday we had the full veggie breakfasts, perfect for getting us up several rockclimbs at Froggatt Edge. See you again soon, Jim and Diane

First of all the pool. A brilliant outdoor heated lido. Built 1936. 30m. Not too crowded but would get soon a hot day in July or August. Note opening hours on their website before you go. The cafe beloved of cyclists is excellent. Chips and egg done to perfection. Give it a go

We ate here before swimming during a busy half term. Food and service were excellent. The chicken pie was mouthfuls of creamy chunks of chicken breast meat encased in a homemade shortcrust pastry served with chunky chips peas and gravy. Delicious! Also recommend the hot chocolate after the swim.

We visited twice before and after a swim in the pool - very friendly staff, homemade soup and lots of other options. The cafe has lots of leaflets on local attractions and maps and guides you can use while you plan your visit to other attractions. There is seating outside too ..

Just had a cool swim with my seven year old daughter and needed to desperately warm up. Rushed in to get a hot drink for both of us but the menu was really inviting and the prices were very good too. I had fish, chips and peas and daughter had pasta in tomato sauce with garlic bread. Fish was huge and daughter couldn't manage all of hers. Mug of tea and hot chocolate were had and all for under fifteen pounds. For what we had and the quality of the food, it was brilliant. Premises were very clean also and staff friendly.

This is a great cafe with nice cakes and pots of tea. Also, great for a carb loaded fry-up. Don't miss it!

We've come here regularly over the years - most recently with a mother-in-law who's in a care home very nearby, but many times over 20 years. The food is still excellent and home-cooked (try the scones!), the service really quick and efficient and friendly), and the place is hugely popular - especially on sunny days when some of the many local cycling groups call in. A very strong recommendation. Plenty of seating inside, though it can get a bit cramped when crowded, and it's lovely sitting outside in the sun too.

They serve a nice, well prepared selection of food. On the specials board there is a homemade choice of pies, quiches, soups etc. The full english is very good and highly recommended.

Great range of food for all tastes. Lovely apple crumble. Friendly and efficient service. Food of good quality and arrived promptly.

I have pretty much visited this place once a week for the last year. As a regular cyclist in the Peak District the pool cafe is my favourite place. Good quality cakes and coffee at an affordable price. There is lots of indoor seating as well as plenty of space to sit outside too, a nice thing to do in the summer. On Saturdays I often visit with a local cycling club from Sheffield and even though there are sometimes nearly 30 people the staff at the cafe mange to get orders out in record time. I can recommend a better place than this in hathersage to stop and relax :-)

Excellent food and speedy service, in a very festive atmosphere. Staff were very welcoming and would highly recommend to others!

The food was delicious and was served quickly and arrived piping hot. The staff were friendly and had time to talk to you. They gave me many tips on what to do and what were the best walks in the area.

what a fantastic surprise that was...after a brilliant swim went for some brunch...I had sausage bun...partner full scram.....nothing to fault...tasty and brilliant portions.next day went again after our swim...partner again had a full breakfast...I had fried egg bun....gorgeous....huge bun....full of filling...tasty...yum!