Highland cows are becoming one of the Peak District’s biggest social media stars, with a Derbyshire hotel revealing that every time the animals feature on its social media channels, views, engagement and customer enquiries significantly increase.

Peak Edge Hotel says posts featuring the estate’s Highland cows consistently outperform other content across Instagram and Facebook, generating strong engagement, new followers and increased interest in both hotel stays and visits to its Red Lion Restaurant.

One recent Instagram reel showing the Highland cows returning for spring and summer alongside their new calves attracted more than 11,300 views, generated 6.5 hours of watch time and reached thousands of new viewers. According to the hotel, 67 per cent of viewers were non-followers.

The rise in popularity comes amid a wider national fascination with Highland cows, which have become a regular fixture across Instagram, TikTok and travel content, particularly in countryside destinations such as the Peak District and Scotland.

placeholder image — The rise in popularity comes amid a wider national fascination with Highland cows, which have become a regular fixture across Instagram, TikTok and travel content, particularly in countryside destinations such as the Peak District and Scotland.

Peak Edge Hotel says the animals have unexpectedly become one of the estate’s biggest talking points, attracting attention from wedding couples, overnight guests, restaurant diners and day visitors alike.

The cows spend the warmer months grazing in fields surrounding Peak Edge Hotel before returning over winter to Walton Lodge Farm Estate, the nearby 360-acre working farm and family home of hotel owner Steve Perez.

Walton Lodge Farm recently achieved Red Tractor certification and is home to native breed Highland and Belted Galloway cattle, Dorset sheep, Berkshire pigs, chickens and honeybees. Seasonal produce from the estate supplies both Peak Edge Hotel’s Red Lion Restaurant and Cocina Restaurant at nearby Casa Hotel.

Mark Thurman, Managing Director of Peak Edge Hotel and Casa Hotel, said: “Every time we share content featuring the Highland cows, we see a huge uplift in views, engagement and enquiries. People absolutely love them.

Peak Edge Hotel, on the edge of the national park, says posts featuring the estate’s Highland cows consistently outperform other content across Instagram and Facebook, generating strong engagement, new followers and increased interest in both hotel stays and visits to its Red Lion Restaurant.

“We’ve noticed that posts featuring the cows consistently outperform almost everything else we share on social media, particularly in spring when the calves arrive back at Peak Edge.

“Our recent reel reached thousands of people who had never interacted with the hotel before and we saw a noticeable spike in interest afterwards, not just online but in enquiries for the hotel, weddings and the Red Lion Restaurant as well.

“The cows have become a much-loved part of the landscape here. Guests love spotting them from the hotel grounds while enjoying lunch, drinks, weddings or weekend stays in the countryside.

“We’re very fortunate that people enjoy them respectfully and responsibly. They are working animals and their welfare always comes first.”

The growing popularity of Highland cows has also sparked wider conversations around countryside etiquette and safety in recent months, with farmers and organisations including the Peak District National Park Authority urging visitors not to approach, feed or attempt to touch cattle in open fields.

Peak Edge Hotel says respectful enjoyment of the countryside remains important as more people seek out nature-led breaks, farm-to-fork dining and rural experiences.