Dining

We wish to continue successfully using the kitchen and dining space on the first floor as a place in which to share hospitality friendship and good food.

A historic dining room with a round wooden table set with dishes, glasses, and a bottle of wine, surrounded by four wooden chairs, with floral curtains and a blue window in the background, and an ornate fireplace on the left side.

Again we limit to 12 people in total for the care of the building. Please also remember that being over 475 years old merchant house has uneven floors, low door heads and winding stairs!

Subject to availability sleeping accommodation for up to six people could be made available on the second floor.

We wish to use the kitchen and dining space on the first floor as a place in which to share hospitality friendship and good food.

Our aim is for you to meet new people and join up with friends sharing food and hospitality in a way that breaks down barriers and opens new conversation. No subject is off bounds, but as always respect is paramount. Enjoyment of good food is paramount.

“I have rarely had such a delicate, perfectly balanced supper served so cleverly in such fascinating surroundings.”

Table set for a meal with bread, cheese, vegetables, and appetizers, with various glasses, cutlery, and place cards.

Dining Club

With a trestle table laid out to accommodate around 12 people, an evening at Merchant House will consist generally of a four course dinner  prepared by an established professional chef using produce grown and sourced locally. The style of dining will mostly be sharing: refined yet relaxed and convivial. A real gastronomic experience in a unique environment.

The evening will start at 7.00pm with a welcome drink and chance to enjoy the first of four courses, whilst absorbing the atmosphere of Merchant House. You will have a rare chance to view the interior, and I will be on hand to answer any questions. The main meal will be in the 16th Century plastered dining room.

A meal at Merchant House will consist of produce grown and reared locally, using organic and regenerative farming practices. The meal will have a nod to the 18th & 19th Centuries.

The style of dining will be mostly sharing; refined, yet relaxed and convivial.  We want these evenings to inspire the meeting and making of friends old and new, a time to relax, discuss, and enjoy one another's company in this rare survival of my 16th Century Town House.

Unfortunately, we are limited in our ability to cater for allergies or dietary requirements please do get in touch if you would like to come and we will try to accommodate your needs. Access is via a spiral staircase and parking is in the town car parks.

Dates for 2026

  • Thursday 15th January

  • Thursday 12th February

  • Friday 27th March

For these dates your meal will be prepared and served to you by Rose Maxwell, (previously Head Chef of Coombeshead Farm), the cost will be £80 per head.

SAMPLE MENU
People gathered for a dining club at a long table decorated with candles and a table runner in a historic, illuminated room with a fireplace and a portrait on the wall.

Sharing Plate

Up to  12 can be accommodated on one table. The style of catering will be more homely but will still concentrate on quality locally sourced produce. Again good conversation, kindling of friendships and enjoyment of the special environment of Merchant House is the aim. 

Private Dining

Should you wish to rent the space for private dining for up to 12 people and provide your own caterer the space would be available subject to negotiation. 

A long dining table set for a meal with white tablecloths, floral centerpieces, place settings with white napkins, glassware, and silverware. There are some plates of food. The background shows curtains with a floral pattern and wooden chairs around the table.
ENQUIRE
A kitchen with a green wall, a yellow wooden fireplace mantel with bottles on top, a white sink with a wooden countertop, a small closed yellow cabinet above the sink, a window with mullions, a white cabinet with a basket in front, and patterned floor tiles.