The popularity of Cattows Farm, Heather, has been gaining momentum over many years with “Pick your own”, a farm shop and tea rooms bringing in visitors throughout the year. With the number of visitors ever increasing and the growing pastime of partaking in light bites and afternoon tea, 2018 saw the vision to transform the venue.

Larger, lighter and fully accessible was the brief, which would allow everyone to be accommodated for refreshments and comfort breaks even at busy times. The buildings were extended and reconfigured to provide a solution to meet the needs of the growing clientele.

The tea rooms provide an array of lunchtime meals, afternoon teas, Sunday lunches and cater for special events, with all food and cakes prepared fresh to order on site. The new larger kitchen facilitates an increase in the volume of food provision and provides superior preparation areas to meet their catering needs. The existing rooms have been repurposed to provide greater facilities for the various educational groups that visit the farm to learn all about farming and its ancillary functions.

With social distancing measures imposed due to Covid, the transformation could not have been completed at a more opportune time. Cattows Farm is set in the rolling Leicestershire countryside within National Forest designation and benefits from stunning views all-round. Why not visit them and take afternoon tea amongst this picturesque location?

By HSSP Architects