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Charles Cotton (1630 - 1687) English writer, angler and friend of Izaak Walton, was born in Beresford Hall, just one mile from the Hotel. He is best known as the co-author with Izaak Walton of ‘The Compleat Angler’ the

first guide to fly fishing which has never been out of print since it was written.. But he was also a talented writer and poet with his works remaining in print until the 1930’s when his popularity faded. He also wrote the worlds first book on gambling and the first guide to tree care.

The hotel was originally built in the late seventeenth century as a coaching inn and was known as the Bulls Head. By 1905 it had changed its name to The Charles Cotton Hotel and J Firth in “Highways of  Derbyshire” was talking about “an interesting little  collection of old prints and portraits  of Cotton and Walton”. Unfortunately  all of  these mementoes are no longer at the Hotel.

The Hotel was purchased in November 2006 by Ray & Carolyn Cork and has been restored to its previous glory.