Axminster: New café and store to open at River Cottage HQ

Following the recent closure of its Axminster town centre restaurant, River Cottage will be opening a new kitchen and store at its Park Farm HQ on Trinity Hill.

River Cottage was founded in Dorset 2004 and later moved to Park Farm in 2006, which has since been headquarters for its pre-booked cookery school courses, dining experiences and other special events.

Doors are now opening to the general public on Friday, April 15, with the new kitchen venue providing a casual space for customers to drop in for breakfast, lunch, drinks, teas, coffees and snacks.

Its menu will change regularly offering the freshest and finest food in season, with much grown in the River Cottage Garden or produced by neighbouring farms.

The sample lunch menu consists of a range of dishes from smoked onions, organic English buffalo mozzarella, kimkraut and River Cottage leaves with Sourdough, to squash and cauliflower patties, citrusy hummus, dukka, chimichurri and River Cottage leaves.

On the relocation of the well-established restaurant, founder of River Cottage, chef Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, said: "What an exciting month we have ahead of us! For the very first time, we will be able to welcome even more of you to HQ, without you having to book in online for a course or dinner as we are opening our brand new River Cottage Kitchen and Shop this Easter, in a beautiful re-purposed building with stunning views over the gorgeous landscape of East Devon.

"Over the years, River Cottage has taken many turns and various manifestations, from the original TV shows and our River Cottage Cook Books and Handbooks, to our fantastic range of River Cottage Organic products.

"It goes without saying that the beating heart at the centre of all these activities and adventures, has always been Park Farm, or River Cottage HQ as we like to call it.

"It is where we welcome you and do our very best to impart our passion through our cookery courses, dining events, and the amazing produce we put on your plates.

"For so long, we've wanted to make it easier for people to come and experience River Cottage first hand and this new space will make that possible.

"Our cafe will be open seven days a week for you to pop in for a bite to eat or a drink, and to have a wander around the farm."

For more information or to make a booking, visit rivercottage.net