A Sunday spent walking along the Huddersfield Narrow Canal on the picturesque stretch from Slaithwaite to Marsden, West Yorkshire, with a friend. We were almost at Marsden, when we passed an intriguing sign placed amongst the natural beauty of the towpath with an arrow pointing away from the towpath.
‘Wild Café’ the sign read and the colourful set of wooden signs below the arrow listed everything we love – cocktails, live music, fresh food, cakes!
Unable to resist we followed the arrow off the canal and across a footbridge in search of this hidden café. Turning off the bridge into an overgrown, slightly bedraggled area, we wondered if we had gone wrong with the directions but in the distance, across this tangled wild space we could see twinkly lights attached to a wooden building nestled amongst the trees.
The 5 minute walk across this untamed countryside from the canal did not prepare us for the hidden delight we came across.
Walking past the car park at the entrance of the café grounds, there is a wonderful sign ‘Magic Begins Here’ and it really does!
The café and grounds have an air of peaceful tranquillity and even before you step into the delightful ‘Wild Garden’ (outdoor area of the café) and beyond into the café, the grounds are a sensory delight, gloriously wild natural beauty juxtaposed with lots of quirkiness everywhere you look.
A beautiful pond surrounded with lush plants takes centre stage surrounded by outbuildings and overlooked by the lovely softly blue painted Wild Café.
The Café is based within the grounds of the family business of The Old Coach House Healing and Wellbeing Centre in Marsden, established in 2005, and a peaceful holistic haven that welcomes people far and wide looking for some much needed relaxation and healing.
Just walking into the magical grounds, I felt the tension lift from my shoulders and a calm descend.
It was a lovely warm day, so we choose to sit outside in the garden area of the café, a beautiful, relaxed easy going area with an eclectic mix of seating, colourful cushions outdoor rugs and plants.
Feeling chilled and relaxed we browsed through the menu, a lovely, colourful, chatty style menu, in keeping with the whole laid back vibe of the place.
The menu is based on healthy, wholesome, eco friendly food and drink including nourish bowls, smoothies, platters, cakes, cocktails and more, using mostly plant based ingredients, food that is good for the soul and all freshly made to order.
At this point I need to mention the staff… wearing fabulous ‘Wild Café’ tropical shirts and big smiles the team at the café are welcoming, friendly and have a lovely relaxed attitude, all the while keeping efficient and professional. Chatting to a member of the team I was given the opportunity to have a look round before ordering.
The inside of the Café is cosy and rustic and in keeping with the outside space has a quirky mix of seating, leafy plants and décor, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The inside is also home to the Wild Living gift shop, an area selling an array of lovely wellbeing products, essential oils, candles, arty greeting cards and more.
The magic doesn’t stop there, I was then shown to the upstairs area of the Café and was totally wowed! The café has its own Treehouse Cabin and Tee Pee rooms that can be booked out. Fabulous secluded and cosy areas that are truly magical spaces full of soft furnishings, drapes, twinkly lights with a feeling of intimacy, perfect for dining and drinking with a group of friends.
Both areas seat up to 6 people and are booked out exclusively for single bookings. I held back on photographs of this area as I think it needs to be experienced in person, not to spoil the wow factor.
Wild Café is constantly expanding and developing with fabulous events taking place such as their ‘Gig in the Wild Garden’ an event celebrating summer evenings with live music, good food and cocktails and what a magical place to host these!
Back down to the outdoor table where my friend had been perusing the menu we decided on the Sharing Platter and we were not disappointed.
At £19.95 it came with toasted bread of the week with olive + balsamic dipping oil, Kalamata olives, sundried tomatoes, hummus, tzatziki, grilled halloumi all served with toasted flat bread, delicious! Big hummus lovers we ordered an extra portion of hummus and flatbread and celebrated finding this gorgeous place with a lovely chilled bottle of prosecco.
A perfect sharing lunch sat in perfect surroundings, we could have happily stayed there all day!
Wild Café is a haven of tranquillity, set amongst the rugged landscape of the West Yorkshire countryside on the outskirts of the village of Marsden and the wild Marsden Moors.
It showcases all that is magical about this area of West Yorkshire – its wild natural beauty, diverse landscape and unique quirky character.
I took a walk on the wild side and will definitely be back!
