Stoney Middleton, a Peak District village nestled beneath limestone cliffs, has become a magnet for celebrities including Tom Cruise and Liam Gallagher, and lies just over an hour's drive from Liverpool. The village offers unique dining experiences and the UK's only Grade II listed fish and chip shop, drawing visitors to its dramatic landscape featured in Hollywood blockbusters.
Hollywood in the Peak District: Tom Cruise and Dalton Quarry
Tom Cruise piloted a helicopter over Dalton Quarry in Stoney Middleton while orchestrating a stunt for Mission Impossible 7, where a train carriage was driven off a cliff edge. The quarry, once a site for limestone extraction, became a film set in April 2021, with a mock railway constructed for the high-octane scene. Cruise also visited local eateries, ordering curries from Curry Cottage and takeaways from Toll Bar Fish and Chips, according to restaurant manager Nadeem Khan.
The Legend of Lovers Leap
The village's Lovers Leap cliffs are named after a 1762 incident where Hannah Baddeley survived a leap from the cliffs after her woolen petticoats acted as a parachute. She died two years later, but the story inspired the name of the cliffs and a former pub, now Curry Cottage restaurant, where diners can eat inside a cave.
Unique Dining at Curry Cottage
Curry Cottage, a seven-year-old Indian restaurant, features a private dining room carved into a cave. Manager Nadeem Khan noted that water still drips from the cave wall during rain, adding to the atmosphere. The restaurant is open daily from 5pm to 11pm, and the cave room is highly sought after by guests.
Celebrity Hotspot: From Tom Cruise’s Curry to Liam Gallagher’s Chippy
Toll Bar Fish and Chips, the UK's only Grade II listed fish and chip shop, has operated since 1926 in the village's former Toll House. Its octagonal shape complements the local church. Liam Gallagher visited the chippy, posing with staff and customers, and Jarvis Cocker of Pulp has also stopped by. The menu includes fish, chips, sausages, Yorkshire fishcakes, and daily specials like halloumi fries and haggis. It is open Wednesday to Saturday, 11:30am to 8pm.
Social Media Viral Fame
TikTok user Daniel, posting as :danielsjourney82, recommended The Cupola, an 18th-century lead smelting mill in Stoney Middleton, noting its history and the Mission Impossible filming location. He described the village as ticking every box with welcoming vibes.
