The Guardian has named Ruddington’s very own Parkers Yard at the Framework Knitters’ Museum amongst the 50 top museum cafés in the UK.
In the article, published on Saturday 5th April, Parkers Yard appears alongside just six other eateries in the Midlands and East Anglia region – including such prestigious and well-known venues as the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley and the Sainsbury Centre cafés in Norwich. Quite an achievement for a small, relatively new café in Ruddington!
The review for Parkers Yard, written by Phoebe Taplin, praises the café’s “…bustling community feel, with kids playing in the garden and choirs singing in the chapel.” Naturally, the food also gets a mention, with highlighted dishes including soup and sandwiches, Greek salad and the “big triangular scones made with cheese or lemon and blueberry.”
Ms Taplin also explains some of the history behind the site, making mention of the various cottages and workshops, and links to the 19th century Luddite movement and lace industry.
The review ends with the final accolade: “Best for: salad or scones in the sunshine.”
Well done Parkers Yard – it looks like you can expect a busy summer!
You can read the review online at www.theguardian.com/culture/2025/apr/05/50-best-museum-cafes-in-the-uk#midlands-and-east-anglia.