The Village Green Café Eyam nestles at the centre of a village steeped in history and genuine charm. Eyam Village has a long and fascinating history that draws visitors from across the UK and beyond. We talked to Sara at The Village Green Café about the café, how she came to own it and the way it forms part of the Eyam Village community.
Entering The Village Green Café Eyam you find yourself in a light and airy environment that provides seating for 14 people. If you prefer to sit outside and watch the world go by on the Eyam Village Green you’ll find 16 seats out there too. The décor is what I think you could term farmhouse meets New England in its character, clean and homely.
The story of how Sara came to run the café takes in a career in the financial sector, working for the National Trust in Scotland and working in other eating houses. Her decision to take on a café first emerged as a joint venture with a friend, though it was eventually realised by Sara’s efforts alone when she took over the café on Eyam Village Green.
To ensure the café was a success Sara has built a small, trusted team around her to ensure friendly service and quality food. Initially helped by her daughter and one other member of staff she now has a team that she herself regards as a kind of extended family. The people in the café obviously enjoy working together and this helps to create a good atmosphere.
As you’d imagine the food is excellent and reasonably priced, especially when you consider the café is in the centre of one of the Peak District’s best known villages. Service for us was quick and courteous, and it was for those customers who arrived after we were seated. The customers at the café ranged from walkers, to cyclists, locals and even school trips – indeed after we left a swarm of school kids on an educational visit descended on the place.
I chose a tasty goat’s cheese and red onion marmalade tartlet with salad of leaves, toasted pumpkin seeds and cranberries. Served with lovely wholemeal bread from Roses Bakery and coleslaw it was an enjoyable meal, fresh and wholesome. Carol had a slice of leek quiche which was served with the same accompaniments. She described the quiche as cooked perfectly. No soggy bottoms here. Both of these dishes were from the specials menu.
While we did try and refuse we were sent on our way with two slices of deliciously tasty and moist carrot cake topped with cream cheese frosting that we enjoyed later that day with a cuppa at home. We can therefore heartily recommend the cakes that Sara tells us she so enjoys baking.
While you’re eating or enjoying your coffee you’ll notice a lot of craft products for sale. So if you’re in the market for a keepsake of the Peak District, fancy buying some locally produced wool or need a brace of knitted pheasants you can pick them up here. All of these things are nicely displayed and don’t make the place feel cluttered.
You can enjoy food from the Café Village Green for private functions too, either by renting the café or hiring Sarah and her team to cater an event for you. She’ll liaise with you to provide a menu to suit your tastes.
And here’s a heads-up, you may soon be able to swing by the café for a pizza too. Don’t tell anyone I told you.
In common with many local traders Sarah’s business ethos is all about involvement with the local community and where possible sourcing locally too. Relationships with other businesses mean that she can obtain the best ingredients from producers often only a few minutes away. Additionally this local knowledge means that café customers can always glean a few pointers about where to go and what to see next in the Peak District.
Furthermore Sara has been awarded the Environmental Quality Mark, you can read about it here.
As well as involvement in the immediate local community The Village Green Café also support charities in other countries providing fresh water and sanitation.
The Village Green Café, Eyam “The little café with a big heart”
The village Green Café captures what it means to part of the community in a small village. You can feel this from the attitude of the friendly staff to the items for sale inside, be they locally sourced ingredients or unique gifts. Close relationships with small suppliers and strong links with Eyam and the surrounding Peak District community make The Village Green Café a cosy, welcoming place to recharge while visiting the area.
You can find out more about The Village Green Café here.
Disclosure – We received the food and drink described in this review free of charge. We have returned since because we enjoyed it so much and neither sought or received any further discount or payment in kind. Click here for more information about reviews
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