A BEAUTIFUL STAY AT THE MERCHANT’S YARD, TIDESWELL
Last Updated on 12th February 2023 by Bejal
Nestled amidst the beautiful Peak District village of Tideswell, you’ll find a beautiful country restaurant complete with a small number of boutique rooms perfect for a cosy rural getaway, The Merchant’s Yard is the perfect base to explore the surrounding area with the guarantee of returning to a beautiful relaxed environment with welcoming staff, delicious food and drinks.
The Merchants Yard is simply the perfect place to relax,
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A Little History…
The Merchants Yard as the name suggests is a former Merchant’s Yard supplying hardware and building materials, you may even be quite familiar with the name, Markovitz. The family first bought the business Courtyard building where the restaurant is located in 1935 and although the Markovitz Group has now moved to a larger premises, the Merchant’s Yard is still owned by the descendants of the original owners, bearing many reminders of its past inside, from photographs to the interior styling. A very apt nod to the almost 100 year trading of the original business.
The restaurant opened in 2015 with the most recent addition being the beautifully appointed bedrooms, designed to completely flow effortlessly through their design from the restaurant space.
The Merchant’s Yard Restaurant
As you enter the restaurant through the courtyard and into the bar area you’ll notice the Merchant’s Yard is beautifully styled in brown and neutral hues with industrial style lighting, squishy leather Chesterfield sofas, exposed brick work and a elegant bar area with upholstered swivel stools. It’s understated, elegant and not stuffy.
Take a moment to look around and peruse the photographs of the former business owners who bough the premises as well as the award winning two AA rosette accolades proudly displayed near the bar. The restaurant specialises in a range of dishes utilising fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Heading into the restaurant space, the same decor slides effortlessly from the entrance and bar area. With a room to the right with tables in different combinations, exposed brick walls, a glazed black frame room divider and wooden tables with upholstered or leather brown dining chairs. The back wall is decorated with books, artefacts and memorabilia synonymous to the buildings hardware beginnings. There are two brick pillars in the restaurant as well as atmospheric lighting adding a special ambiance to the space. To the other side of the partitioned wall a corridor takes you to a small cove with more sofas and a fireplace. A perfect spot to wait with a drink before being seated in the main restaurants area.
There is also a further two floors to the restaurant offering further seating as well as private function room hire for special occasions.
The Food & Drinks
The Drinks
The restaurant stocks a fine range of menus for drinks including red, white and rose wine as well as Fizz. Not a wine fan, no problems, the cocktail menu is pretty impressive as well as the beer, cider, spirits and soft or non alcoholic beverages. There is a fine supply of soft drinks, mixers and hot drinks plus nightcaps!
When it comes to cocktails Be-lavie can recommend from the classics list the Bramble, containing a fine mix of Gin, lemon and sugar stirred and topped with blackberry liquor, as well as one of the restaurants signature cocktails, the Marmalade Cosmopolitan, which is perfect if you like a tangy less sweet flavour. It contained a great blend of Chade marmalade, vodka, cointreau, Eager cranberry juice, lime with an orange twist.
When in comes to wine, for a smoky deep bodied red, the Torno de Roche Malbec, from Mendoza, Argentina is a winner with its notes of blackberry and ripe berries delivers a fruit charged berries.
The Food
The restaurants fine fare includes a set menu (available Tuesdays, Wednesdays for lunch and dinner as well as Fridays up until 18:00) a la carte options, afternoon as well as the Sunday menu. There is a great range of vegetarian and vegan options too. It is always recommended to ask about any further dietary requirements prior to booking to ensure that accommodations can be made accordingly with the kitchen team.
The head chef and kitchen team have crafted a menu that is suitable for everyone (there is even a kids menu to ensure the little ones have a choice of food), with many classics with a modernistic edge, lighter options like sandwiches and salads perfect for lunches as well as exquisite a la carte offerings and the desserts that room should always be allocated and not to be missed.
On Sundays it would be rude not to partake in the Sunday roast which can b enjoyed either with beef, pork, chicken or nut roast, accompanied with roasted potatoes, homemade Yorkshire puddings, a selection of al dente seasonal veggies, creamy mash and chef’s gravy ( A vegetarian version is also available).
If you are visiting on. Sunday…
Be-lavie recommends, to start with a sharing platter of rustic garlic bread topped with Buffalo mozzarella and for mains the nut roast for vegetarians which is beautifully moist and flavoursome or the loin of pork, both of which were accompanied by all the trimmings.
Just because there is always room for dessert, sample the crumble (apple and cranberry – which may be seasonal) with a white chocolate custard,
The Breakfast
If you are lucky enough to be staying in one of the rooms, the rate includes a delicious breakfast and it’s one not to be missed. There is a huge selection to choose from but additionally all items are made freshly to order so as well as being as fresh as can be there is little to no wastage. A forward thinking nod to sustainability and reducing food waste.
Choices include fresh fruit juices, speciality teas, coffees as well as a full cooked breakfast, eggs Benedict, eggs Florentine, smoked salmon, porridge, omelettes as well as an offering of a selection of cereals, pastries, yoghurt, honey and toast and preserves on your choice of bread.
If you’re visit ties into a special occasion like a birthday, you’ll even be offered complimentary fizz – now that’s service for you.
Be-lavie’s breakfast picks include the full English breakfast or the vegetarian English breakfast with an accompaniment of fresh coffees, orange juice, toast and preserves as well as pain au chocolate, danish pastries and croissants.
The Merchants Yard breakfast is one that will have you set up for the rest of the day.
The food at the restaurant is no doubt exceptionally delicious but the service is incredible. The warmth and friendliness of the staff is second to none. They are well versed in the menu and can make recommendations based on your likes and dislikes. The atmosphere is lively and fun in the evenings yet breakfast service is calm and relaxed but always attentive at all times.
The Merchant’s Yard Rooms
The Merchant’s Yards newest addition is five luxurious boutique style rooms at the back of the property, which can also be accessed by a separate entrance adjacent to car parking.
As you arrive into the car park, you’ll see a electronic sign with your name on it representing the space where you can leave your vehicle for your stay which is a great personalised touch.
The back entrance of the rooms area takes you past a small cosy lounge area which is great for relaxing in with a small reception area to the right. The check-in is speedy after which you will be shown to your room.
The Living Space
The decor is once again in keeping with the property and design scheme. The dark grey bedroom door lead into spacious, perfectly laid out spaces, with high ceilings and timber beans and skylights which give a light and airy feel. The grey and neutral toned fabrics and soft furnishings speak elegance and calm. The desk and wardrobes are medium to dark wood tones with a chevron wood design and the bathroom as partitioned with the black frame glazed divider seen previously in the restaurant.
The white linens are crisp and inviting as are the comfy upholstered chairs separated by a table in the rooms, that elevate the rooms to Junior suite status. All the latest mod cons are available such as flat screen TV as well as an iPad that controls the blinds for the skylight ensuring the ultimate in blackout to get a super nights sleep. In the wardrobe you’ll find the tea making facilities , fridge with a mini bottle of real milk. Yep you heard that right, real milk, which give the place a homely feeling. The large wardrobes also have a safe and ironing facilities as well as two very comfy, very fluffy white bath robes.
The range of speciality teas, coffees, hot chocolates as well as cookies is a great welcome after a long journey as is the small box of welcome treats and message left in the room. It’s these small personal touches that make a stay at The Merchant’s Yard so memorable and special.
The Bathroom
With the owners specialising in the building and hardware trade, you would expect a top nosh bathroom and boy, does it meets a high standard. Neutral floor to ceiling chevron engraved tiling, a spacious bathtub perfect for a post-dinner soak, a separate shower and vanity unit and silver fittings and fixtures throughout gives this a modern yet classic feel.
Fluffy white towels and full-size bath and shower products by Cole & Lewis are the perfect finish and add a touch of understated opulence.
Room Amenities
Rooms at The Merchant’s Yard come equipped with the following:
- 55” SMART TV with built in free satellite
- Mini Fridge
- King Size bed with 300 count Egyptian cotton sheets
- Dedicated car parking space (with electric charging point)
- Tea & coffee facilities PLUS a small bottle of REAL milk
- Iron & ironing board
- Cole & Lewis luxury toiletries
- VELUX roof window
- Luxurious soft towels
- Free Wi-Fi
- Hairdryer
Sustainability at The Merchant’s Yard
The Merchant’s Yard not only is a beautiful place to stay but it also ticks some great eco-friendly boxes with it’s daily practice:
- Full size in-room toiletries to avoid wastage
- Electric car charging points at dedicated parking spots.
- cooked to order breakfast to reduce food wastage
- Locally sourced, fresh produce served in its restaurant
- Option to decline linen and towel change if staying for more than a night.
The Merchant’s Yard Restaurant & Rooms, Round-up
It’s easy to say this beautiful relaxing retreat-like hidden gem close to the town of Buxton is a completely wonderful find. It’s a wonderful place to consider as a base to explore the surrounding towns, villages and countryside.
The restaurant provides the most appetising sustenance, whether it be a beverage in the bar, a light lunch stop, en route to your final destination or a special evening meal on a Weekend away,
The rooms are perfect in every way and a complete joy to return to following a day out in this part of Derbyshire. You’ll be hard pushed to leave or never return – that’s if you can drag yourself away from that luscious bath. Want to experience the beauty and charm of what The Merchant’s Yard has to offer? You know what to do….
A note to Tideswell….
A Be-lavie top tip… take a stroll around the village of Tideswell and discover the quaint cottages, St John The Baptist church and cute shops and cafes that make this area such a draw to visit.
Be-lavie Tip: It’s best to book a table at the restaurant if you plan to eat here and are staying in one of the rooms just to avoid disappointment. The restaurant can get quite busy on weekends.
- The Merchant’s Yard Restaurant & Rooms.St. Johns Road. Tideswell. Buxton. Derbyshire. SK17 8NE.
- Website: The Merchant’s Yard
- Price range: ££
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À bientôt
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