Following its £1m worth of renovations this summer, business has been booming at the Courtyard Café at Pensthorpe Natural Park near Fakenham.
It has been so popular that additional staff are being hired to help cope with the “overwhelming” demand.
Ben Marshall, left, managing director, with Ed Chapman, catering and hospitality manager, in the new café at Pensthorpe (Image: Denise Bradley)
Ed Chapman, catering and hospitality manager, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed with the response.
“Not only have we seen a significant increase in café revenue, but crucially, the feedback from our customers has been incredible.
“Customers are really enjoying the variety of the new menu, and we’ve had a lot of positive comments around the transformation of the space and how modern, light and cosy it feels.
“We’re delighted with the start we’ve made, and we look forward to a bigger and better 2026.”
The site aims to bring the outside in for the customers (Image: Pensthorpe Natural Park)
The team had been planning the works for around three years and spent more than seven figures to improve the catering facilities.
It reopened in November after the site was extended to make space for a new purpose-built kitchen, also adding around 30pc more seating for customers.
Plans were first shared for the site in January, after the café was deemed to be no longer fit for purpose as its popularity had grown.
The counter has been extended (Image: Pensthorpe Natural Park)
While it was initially hoped the eatery would open in the summer, it was far from a simple build, as the main walls of the café are the remains of a 16th-century church.
The full refit includes a serving counter that is three times bigger, an additional till to shorten queue times and a new serving hatch to enjoy food and drink on the lawn.
Bespoke tables and chairs are currently being built in Italy and underflooring heating has been installed.