The Land of Oak & Iron

What is the The Land of Oak & Iron?

Located in Derwenthaugh Park, The Land of Oak & Iron is a heritage centre that serves delicious locally-sourced food at the on-site “Cafe Shrub” and hosts awesome cultural events for all ages.

The centre, now surrounded by abundant woodland and wildlife, was once the epicentre of the iron and steel industry.

What can I do at The Land of Oak & Iron?

If you’re heading for a woodland walk down at Derwenthaugh Park, you can grab some delightful grub at “Cafe Shrub”. Whether you’re fuelling up for your wander or returning to refuel, Cafe Shrub’s selection of fresh sandwiches, sweet treats and soups have got you covered. They also serve a range of hot food and hearty home-bakes; including pie’s, quiche’s and vegan sausage rolls, as well as a selection of hot and cold drinks. And if you have a troupe of hungry toddlers with you, fear not, “The Shrublings” menu is at hand! Click here to see the full menu.

Indoor and Outdoor seating.

Inside of Cafe Shrub, you can find a host of fantastic locally-made gifts on offer. Why not find out more about the Derwent Valley’s fascinating past from the array local history books or spruce up your living space with with some local art? You can also stock up on your scented soaps and candles, sweet Childrens books & toys, local history books, locally sourced jam & honey, candles, soaps, jewellery and art work. Locally sourced smellies – including soaps and candles.

The Land of Oak & Iron also host a variety of wonderful events and activities: from their regular Kid’s Craft Club to their Family Bird Walk. They even host a Wood Fired Pizza & Live Music Evening. To find out more about their upcoming events, head over to their website.

If you’re looking for an event space, rooms in The Heritage Centre and other outdoor spaces are available to hire. So whether you’re looking to host a live music event, a small conference or a social, have a look at the Land of Oak & Iron’s hire page to see which space suits your needs.

Accessibility

• The Land of Oak & Iron has free, on-site parking with disabled parking bays available at the front of the Heritage Centre.
• Disabled toilet and baby changing facilities are available in The Heritage Centre. Toilets can be accessed via the front entrance or through the cafe.
• The Heritage Centre and outdoor seating have Level Access and accessible for both push chairs and wheelchairs. There’s also level access from the Heritage Centre to accessible walking routes in Derwenthaugh Park.
• Cafe Shrub is dog friendly and accommodates guide dogs. Water bowls are available outside, as well as delicious doggy treats inside the cafe.
• Veggie, vegan and gluten free options are always available at Cafe Shrub.
• The Land of Oak & Iron can be busy on weekends, during summer months and in school holidays, so it can become quite noisy. There’s also regular coffee machine noise and noise from the hand dryers when seated closer to the toilets. For those with specific sensory needs, it may be beneficial to ask for a seat at the back of the cafe further away from the toilets or sit outside during summer months.
• Food from the Shrub Cafe is also available for takeaway. There are nearby grass areas in Derwenthaugh Park that are perfect for picnics. For those overwhelmed by noise or the smell of certain foods, ordering for takeaway and taking a short walk to these grassy areas is an excellent alternative on a sunny day.

Thank you to Roy Buri for the image!