The Merchant's Yard

Hotel review

Although The Merchant’s Yard in Tideswell calls itself a restaurant with rooms, the experience is more like a boutique hotel. It blends strong food, generous rooms, and upbeat service in a way that feels well-suited to modern, discerning travellers passing through or wanting to explore the Peak District for a couple of nights. The welcome is excellent; a reserved parking space with your name on it, fresh flowers and a friendly reception team.

The eight rooms are all on the ground floor, decorated in soft greys and a muted colour palette. They are large, well planned, and filled with thoughtful touches: huge zip-and-link beds with herringbone headboards (camp beds for children too), crisp linens, wooden side tables, high-tech lighting, and blinds. A desk with a light-up mirror, Harrogate water, milk in the fridge and a small treat show the level of detail. Some of the bathrooms include both a shower and a freestanding bath - room 6 is the one to book if you can. 

The restaurant and bar is lively with a strong cocktail list, including a two-for-£12 offer on Thursdays. Lovely Matt, Jonny and Laura run the bar and serve with real warmth, and they also make you a great coffee or tea during the day. There is space throughout the building to unwind on a sofa with a book or sip a drink before dinner. Chef Mark’s homemade rolls and familiar favourites such as chicken liver parfait and sticky toffee pudding make the restaurant a dependable choice for a relaxed evening. If you have time, enjoy their Afternoon Tea or hang back on a Sunday and enjoy one of their famous roasts! 

The Merchant's Yard is a friendly, well-run restaurant with rooms that suit anyone looking for comfort, good food and the sort of service that makes you feel looked after and relaxed.

Lulu Townsend