News
We are delighted to announce the launch of The Courtyard Kitchen, an exciting new open-fire dining experience coming to Chapel House Estate in February 2026.
Located beside our much-loved Glass Courtyard and number nine restaurant, The Courtyard Kitchen will introduce a bold, immersive way to experience food, bringing guests together around live-fire cooking, seasonal produce, and shared tables, all set within our relaxed Kent countryside estate.
Designed for weddings, private dining, corporate events and social gatherings, this new space marks the next chapter in our food and events offering.
Set on the outdoor terrace next to the Glass Courtyard, The Courtyard Kitchen has been thoughtfully designed as a warm, welcoming space where guests can gather, connect and enjoy food being cooked live over fire.
At the heart of the space is an open kitchen, framed by exposed timber beams and softly lit hanging lights. Here, our chefs will cook on a bespoke barbecue grill with a firebrick base, alongside a traditional spit roast, where slow-turning meats and vegetables are cooked over open flames, filling the courtyard with rich, smoky aromas.
This theatrical style of cooking creates an engaging focal point for events, whether guests are arriving for drinks, networking with colleagues or settling in for a long, relaxed meal.
The Courtyard Kitchen has been designed to celebrate live fire and wood-fired cooking, with equipment that allows our chefs to cook simply, seasonally and with depth of flavour.
Alongside the open grill and spit roast, the kitchen will feature a Big Green Egg, used for hot smoking fish, vegetables and speciality cuts, delivering deep, wood-fired flavours. The space is completed by a wood-fired pizza oven, producing rustic, beautifully charred pizzas straight from the flames.
This flexible setup allows menus to be tailored for everything from relaxed sharing feasts and private dining experiences to larger celebrations and corporate entertaining.
The courtyard itself has been designed to feel relaxed, atmospheric and adaptable. Brick walls, climbing greenery and herb, vegetable and fruit planters create a garden-inspired feel that reflects the estate’s connection to nature and seasonality.
Long banqueting tables encourage shared dining and conversation, while more intimate seating areas allow the space to be styled for different event formats. A retractable awning ensures the courtyard can be enjoyed in both sunshine and light showers, making it suitable year-round.
By day, the space is light, vibrant and social. By evening, it transforms into a cosy, candlelit setting, ideal for private dinners, celebrations and memorable gatherings under the lights.
For couples planning their wedding at Chapel House Estate, the introduction of The Courtyard Kitchen does not change the way the outdoor courtyard is typically used or styled.
The space will retain the relaxed flow, elevated setting and atmosphere that couples fall in love with when choosing the estate. Layouts can remain exactly as envisioned, with the flexibility to incorporate the courtyard into drinks receptions, evening celebrations or relaxed dining experiences, should couples wish to.
The launch of The Courtyard Kitchen reflects our continued commitment to exceptional food, thoughtful design and meaningful experiences across weddings, dining and events.
As an independently owned, family-run estate in Kent, we are passionate about creating spaces that feel welcoming, considered and memorable, places where people come together to eat well, celebrate and enjoy time together.
We look forward to sharing more as we approach the launch in February 2026.
