Pensthorpe Nature Reserve – Courtyard Café and Kitchen
Set within a beautiful nature reserve, the revitalised café now offers a warm, elevated experience that connects customers to both thoughtful design and the surrounding landscape.
Project Overview
The Pensthorpe Nature Reserve Courtyard Café and Kitchen project involved the transformation of a much-loved visitor space into a contemporary café experience reimagined with modern flair. The refurbishment delivers a bright, welcoming environment through expansive floor-to-ceiling glazing, a fully modernised, state-of-the-art kitchen, and upgraded function facilities.
Enchanting space to enjoy
When we were approached to renovate the Pensthorpe Courtyard café and kitchen by Hudson Architects, we were delighted to become part of a project set in such a stunning location. The nature reserve offers over 700 acres of beautiful grounds for visitors to explore. Our client requested a refreshed café space that felt inviting and attractive for customers, as well as a modernised kitchen capable of meeting growing demand, and an updated function room.
A modern café, kitchen and function room transformation
We revitalised the café with a contemporary edge while retaining its natural charm. Floor-to-ceiling windows now flood the space with light, creating a refreshing, almost alfresco experience for guests. The exposed beams were preserved to maintain a warm, comforting atmosphere and introduced underfloor heating throughout for added comfort.
The adjoining function room also received a complete makeover, including re-plastering, painting, and re-tiling, with underfloor heating installed to enhance comfort and usability throughout the year.
The kitchen has also been completely upgraded, now featuring state-of-the-art range extraction and a streamlined layout designed to keep pace with high visitor numbers.
Ultra-modern Kingspan Kooltherm insulation was used to maximise energy efficiency and improve overall thermal performance throughout the building.
Meeting project demands
The project wasn’t without its challenges. One of the key considerations was ensuring the public still had access to a safe and usable café area throughout the build. Another was meeting a tight project deadline. We tackled both challenges head-on, maintaining regular communication with our client and adapting our approach to keep the project moving smoothly.
The end result is a transformed space that looks incredible and serves visitors better than ever.
“It felt like a real partnership working with Grocott and Murfit. They understood our operational needs, respected our brand vision and delivered a café and kitchen space that achieves both. The quality of the finish and the care shown on site speak for themselves. We’re delighted with the result and look forward to future opportunities to work together.” Ben Marshall, Managing Director, Pensthorpe Nature Reserve
“Working on the Pensthorpe Courtyard Café and Kitchen was a real pleasure. It was a collaborative project that balanced modern design with the character of the site, and we’re delighted with the finished space and how it now serves visitors.” Daniel Grocott, Director
