Eating and shopping at Hardcastle Crags

Family enjoying cakes outside Gibson Mill | © Annapurna Mellor

During your visit to Hardcastle Crags, choose from a range of delicious treats at the Weaving Shed Café – you'll have the added satisfaction of knowing that every penny you spend will go back into the upkeep of this special place. Afterwards, head to the second-hand bookshop, where you can browse a selection of pre-loved page turners.

The Weaving Shed Café

The Weaving Shed Café serves a range of drinks and snacks to eat in or take away and enjoy in the beautiful countryside surrounding Gibson Mill.

There are picnic tables located close to,the mill and also on the Lady Royd field, which is up the hill, opposite the footpath that leads to the Crags. Surrounded by woodland, it's a lovely, peaceful spot to enjoy a cup of tea and a bite to eat.

Something for everyone

Fancy something savoury? Choose from a range of sandwiches, pastries, soup and crisps.

Those with a sweet tooth can pick from a selection of cakes, traybakes and traditional scones.

Of course, we serve all your favourite hot and cold drinks, too, ensuring that you'll never go thirsty during your visit.

Dog-friendly dining

Your four-legged friends are welcome to join you at the café and around Gibson Mill, though we request that you keep them on a lead. If they're feeling thirsty after a walk in the woodland, they can make use of the water bowls in the yard at Gibson Mill.

Lord Holme's Ice Cream Parlour

Enjoy delicious scoops of ice cream this summer, with a fantastic selection of ice creams. We usually offer sea salted caramel, raspberry ripple, vanilla and mint chocolate chip but these are subject to change. Make sure you keep an eye out for our bespoke rhubarb and vanilla bean custard coming soon this summer!

The ice cream parlour is open Saturday and Sunday, 12pm-4pm. From 20 July, the parlour will be open 7 days a week.

Do you have an allergy? You can call our café team directly on 01422846236 and they can advise you on what we have available.

Allergen information

Most of the food and drink served is prepared on site in our kitchen, using a wide range of ingredients. As a result, we can’t guarantee that any of our food and drink products are completely allergen free.

If you have an allergy or intolerance and would like ingredient information about the food and drink served, please ask the staff, who will be happy to help.

Always check when you visit

Visited before? We sometimes change our recipes to improve quality and flavour, including the ingredients. When you visit, please speak to one of our team to check the current allergen information for your favourite dish.

Thank you

Every cuppa or tasty treat you buy helps us to continue looking after places for everyone to enjoy.

A woman takes a book from a shelf at Chartwell in Kent — Pick up a page turner from the second-hand bookshop | © National Trust Images/Sam Milling

The second-hand bookshop

Inside the historic Gibson Mill, you’ll find the second-hand bookshop, which is run by our dedicated volunteers. Browse the range of quality books – you might just discover an exciting read to take home.

Whether you're a fan of sci-fi, looking for a book on nature or searching for an exciting children's adventure, you'll find the shop packed with a great selection.

The funds raised from the second-hand bookshop go directly to Hardcastle Crags. So, by picking up a new page-turner, you'll be helping to look after this special place for future generations.