New restaurant and shop set to open at world-renowned site near Horsham

The Knepp Estate at Dial Post is currently seeking a license from Horsham District Council to sell alcohol at the new premises – known as the Knepp Wilding Kitchen and Shop – in a converted 18th century Sussex barn next to a new courtyard garden.

It is planned to open the new premises, designed with the help of specialists to reduce the carbon footprint of the development, later this month.

Estate organisers say that the original Sussex barn has been restored by heritage building experts and incorporates reclaimed materials from across Knepp.

It is powered by renewable energy and heated with ground source heat pumps. The whole site, including a carpark and courtyard, has been designed to collect run-off rainwater in a pond which will be pumped back into the site with the aim of being water neutral.

A spokesperson said: “The ‘wilded’ courtyard outside, designed by Knepp’s head gardener extraordinaire, Charlie Harpur, will welcome guests to sit at the end of one of our walks, or to enjoy breakfast or lunch in sunshine. Inside, the cafe and restaurant will offer intriguing spaces to dine, talk, relax, read, and unwind.

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“We’ve designed the site for nature, with swallow and bat boxes in the eaves, stork nest platforms on our gate posts, and mud pools for house martins in the courtyard. We’ve even adjusted the angle of the rooves to create ideal nesting spots for birds.

The Knepp Estate – owned by Sir Charles Burrell and his wife Isabella Tree – is renowned for its pioneering rewilding project.