The Bottle Kiln in West Hallam is one of the loveliest places to have a relaxing al fresco lunch or coffee and catch up. Their expansive gift/lifestyle shops will have you lusting after all sorts of lovely things you really want (and probably don’t need). It’s the perfect place for gifts or to treat yourself.
From the second you arrive in the gravelled car park and walk down the lavender lined path The Bottle Kiln in West Hallam feels somewhere special. It’s deeply relaxing and the perfect place to indulge in some self-care, whether that’s a quiet hour with a coffee and a great book or catch up with friends over a Prosecco and afternoon tea or just some delightful retail therapy.
The Bottle Kiln West Hallam is a family run, stylishly converted historic building surrounded by beautifully landscaped gardens. The building itself is really interesting and it’s beautifully decorated.
There’s also lots of outside seating, including in their tranquil garden pictured below. For more ideas of gorgeous places to eat al fresco in Derbyshire, check out my most popular blog post by clicking HERE.
It’s a daytime only venue and the café itself is family friendly. There’s ample parking, some accessible tables on ground floor level and really helpful staff. Just be aware that the baby changing facilities are up a few steps. The tranquil garden is unsuitable for young children due to trip hazards (and, if your children are anything like mine, their innate ability to destroy tranquility!). Also be aware you need to walk through a lovely gift shop to get to the café.
Menu at the Bottle Kiln, West Hallam
All the food at the Bottle Kiln is freshly made on site with locally sourced ingredients. Homemade light lunches include an ever-evolving range of savoury pies, salads and puds. I thoroughly recommend the quiche, served with an impressive array of salads. The coleslaw is some of the best I have ever tasted. As are the scones. In fact, everything is good here. Just be aware that the breakfast menu is fairly limited.
On my last visit I ordered the Jerk chicken salad from their summer menu. Satisfyingly spicy, beautifully tender Jamaican jerk marinated pan-fried chicken breast was served with caramelised pineapple and coconut flakes on a bed of mixed leaves. It was utterly delicious and a really satisfying yet light option. I’d have loved it had the salad aspect had been a bit more substantial – perhaps some carrot and courgette ribbons.
Over the years I have gradually worked my way through the various cakes, traybakes and puddings – everything is lovely but if in doubt go for one of the scones. I truly think they are some of the best in Derbyshire. My favourite is the cherry and almond. Everything is freshly baked on site daily.
It’s currently table service only. Just take a seat and staff will take an order. On my last visit service was a little slow but everyone was working flat out and I think in the current climate that’s somewhat to be expected. Just go expecting a leisurely lunch rather than fast food and you’ll be grand.
Go for:
Delicious homemade food – light lunches and delicious cake. Great artisan coffee served in beautiful surroundings, whether that’s the artfully decorated café inside, the tranquil garden or the secret garden summer bar. It’s also a lovely place to mooch round the lovely gift shops – the perfect place to buy presents (including for yourself!).
Details:
Free on site parking, family friendly. No dogs. DE7 6HP.
