New River Cottage Kitchen to open after closure of town centre restaurant

The popular River Cottage Kitchen in Axminster town centre has now closed doors, but there are plans for a new outlet at River Cottage HQ on the outskirts of the town.

The town centre restaurant closed doors earlier this month and has now been emptied.

First opened 13 years ago fronted by celebrity chef Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall, the restaurant was a great draw for visitors to Axminster.

River Cottage has not confirmed a reason for the closure, but says it will be opening a new kitchen and store at its headquarters at Park Farm off Trinity Hill Road.

A statement from River Cottage said: "Our new kitchen and store will be opening in April at River Cottage HQ.

"We are sad to be leaving Axminster after 13 happy years of feeding you in the heart of the town.

"But we are also very excited to be opening our new kitchen and store at River Cottage HQ, where we can bring you even closer to the heart of our world, and the beautiful farm where we grow so much of the produce we love to cook.

"Our new venue will be a casual space to drop by for breakfast, lunch, drinks, tea and snacks, and incredible views, seven days a week, as well as a store where you can buy all our River Cottage products and books.

"Our Axminster town centre venue has now closed, but please come and find us just a few miles away when we open at the new location in April. Take a walk around the farm and garden, and discover the beating heart of River Cottage.

"The exact date for the opening hasn't been confirmed yet, but keep an eye on our website for more details."