David Mellor and the Riverside Kitchen

This week Steve and I had a day date at David Mellor and the Riverside Kitchen. It’s been a full-on summer and now it’s a little quieter we’re trying to get out and about more. If anyone has any recommendations, please shout.

David Mellor was a renowned British cutlery designer and manufacturer. His work is known for its simple, elegant, and functional designs. Mellor’s cutlery is used in households and restaurants around the world.

The Riverside Kitchen

The Riverside Kitchen at David Mellor is a hidden gem in the heart of the Peak District. Located in the picturesque village of Hathersage, the Riverside Kitchen offers a unique dining experience that combines the David Mellor Museum and shop together with delicious food and excellent service.

Dream Team

The Riverside Kitchen at David Mellor is owned and operated by husband-and-wife team, Lauren and Ralph. Lauren is a trained chef with over 10 years of experience working in some of the best restaurants in the Peak District. Ralph has a background in business management and is responsible for the day-to-day running of the restaurant.

Lauren and Ralph are passionate about food and service, and they are committed to providing their guests with a truly memorable dining experience. They use only the freshest, seasonal ingredients in their dishes, and they work closely with local suppliers to ensure that their food is of the highest quality.

When we say the food was off the scale, we really mean it. Lunch for two with two flat whites was around £35 and it was totally delicious. I had the house salad with flat bread and I can honestly say I’ve never tasted anything like it. Steve had a sour dough goats cheese and fig toastie and is now desperately hunting the maker of the bread.

Mellor’s Life and Career

David Mellor was born in Sheffield, England in 1930. He studied at the Sheffield College of Art and then went on to work as a designer for several cutlery companies. In 1959, he founded his own company, David Mellor Design.

Mellor’s cutlery quickly gained a reputation for its high quality and innovative designs. He was one of the first designers to create cutlery that was both stylish and functional. His work was also notable for its use of new materials, such as stainless steel and acrylic.

Mellor’s cutlery has been used in some of the world’s most prestigious restaurants, including The Ritz in London and The White House in Washington, D.C. His work has also been exhibited in museums around the world, including the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and the Museum of Modern Art in New York City.

Mellor died in 2009 at the age of 79. He is remembered as one of the most important and influential cutlery designers of the 20th century.

Mellor’s Design Philosophy

David Mellor’s design philosophy was based on the belief that cutlery should be both stylish and functional. He believed that cutlery should be comfortable to hold and use, and that it should also be visually appealing.

Mellor’s cutlery designs are characterized by their simple, elegant lines. He often used geometric shapes in his designs, such as circles, squares, and rectangles. Mellor also used a variety of materials in his work, including stainless steel, acrylic, and wood.

Not Just Cutlery

Mellor’s legacy is not just limited to cutlery design. He was also a passionate advocate for British manufacturing and design. He believed that British designers were capable of producing world-class products, and he worked tirelessly to promote British design on the international stage.

Mellor was one of the first designers to create street furniture that was both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Mellor’s most famous street furniture designs include:

• The M2 bus shelter: This bus shelter was designed in the 1950s and is characterised by its curved roof and use of glass and steel. The M2 bus shelter is still used in many parts of the UK today.
• The M3 street light: This street light was designed in the 1960s and is characterised by its simple, elegant design and use of stainless steel. The M3 street light is also still used in many parts of the UK today.
• The M4 bollard: This bollard was designed in the 1970s and is characterised by its sleek, modern design and use of stainless steel. The M4 bollard is also still used in many parts of the UK today.

There’s no table booking at the Riverside Kitchen. Simply turn up and if it’s busy, share a table like Steve and I did. There’s also loads of outdoor seating if the weather is nice.

Book your cottage at Wheeldon Trees

Wheeldon Trees is one of the Peak District’s leading cottage retreats.

We are ideally placed to enjoy some amazing culinary delights. The Riverside Kitchen is just a 20 minute drive from Wheeldon Trees.

Alongside brilliant places to eat, our cottages are close to a variety of activities. Things to do include  hiking, biking, fishing, and visiting historic landmarks. In addition, we’re perfectly placed for wandering around charming English villages and taking in cafe society if you’re looking for a more grown up break.

We have 10 stunning cottages set in 12 acres of Peak District National Park. Alongside luxury cottages, our rural retreat offers free EV charging and an honesty shop packed to the brim with goodies. In addition, we have a fantastic games room where you can play pool, air hockey or ping pong. We have two new electric bikes for you to borrow to explore the local area. What’s more, we have recently added two new hybrid bikes.

In 2023 five of our cottages were rated 5-Star Gold by VisitEngland. Firstly, the Farmhouse retained its 5-Star Gold rating from 2020. And now Priestley Cottage, Ollerenshaw Cottage, Nadin Cottage and Mycock Cottage join it with top marks. The remaining five cottages – Sheldon, Walker’s Rest, Critchlow, Elliott and Lomas were all rated 4-Star Gold. In addition, TripAdvisor recently named Wheeldon Trees in the top 10% of places to stay in the world. Thanks to our visitors’ amazing reviews, we were delighted to be awarded the TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award 2023. To complete the hat trick, we were also the runner-up in best self-catering accommodation at this year’s Visit Peak District and Derbyshire Tourism Awards.

You can view our availability and pick your perfect cottage by following this link – view our availability.