Emily Bridgewater gets back to the land for an idyllic rustic retreat.

When American author Adelle Davis famously said “eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper”, she clearly had the kind of breakfast served up at Beechenhill Farm in mind.

For this almighty feast, which started with robust porridge, homemade yogurt and fruit compote before progressing to a full English breakfast complete with Staffordshire oatcakes, crispy bacon and limitless toast, could have kept one going for a month.

Yet this breakfast was just one of the highlights of our stay at Beechenhill Farm, an organic dairy farm and guesthouse nestled on the border of the Staffordshire and Derbyshire countryside.

On a dark night it’s no mean feat to find, however, the drive across the winding Peak District proved more than worth it when we were welcomed warmly by owner Sue Prince and her family.

There was further comfort awaiting us after the clamber up the stairs to our cosy farmhouse bedroom, where we found two generous slabs of homemade flapjacks and tea made with freshly-farmed unpasteurised milk. Who knew milk could taste so good?

Primarily a dairy and lamb producer, Beechenhill offers guests a fascinating insight into life on a working farm but with the added bonus of four-star facilities such as spacious en-suite bedrooms and holiday cottages, a Swedish hot tub and heated cave, and of course, that breakfast. Fuelled by that breakfast we were able to explore the surrounding countryside, using two of the walks suggested by Sue in our welcome pack.

Blessed with bright sunshine and crisp, dry conditions, we covered more than 10 miles across mixed terrain on our first day ­– although there were walks to suit all ages and abilities. A couple staying in the guest house at the same time said they preferred to relax in the comfort of their room and only managed a walk to the nearby village of Ilam to visit its gorgeous National Trust property.

On our second day, limbs aching a little from over exertion on day one, we followed their lead, even enjoying a light lunch in the cafe at Ilam Hall. The stately home, which is set in acres of rolling fields is also a youth hostel and even has a small gift shop.