River Cottage HQ: Cookery School, Dining, and Weddings

4.2 ( 1038 reviews )
Park Farm, Trinity Hill Rd, Axminster EX13 8TB, United Kingdom
+44 1297 630300

River Cottage HQ offers an unmatched culinary experience nestled in the beautiful surroundings of Park Farm, Axminster. Guests rave about the Chef's Table experience, where fresh, locally sourced ingredients are transformed into exquisite seven-course meals, highlighting the skill of Masterchef finalist Chiara and her team. Michael Chaplin-Kelly's review underscores the quality and creativity, emphasizing the importance of not overindulging in the divine sourdough bread to fully appreciate each unique dish.

The atmosphere is universally lauded as friendly and inspiring, which Tamsin Poulston captures perfectly, mentioning the delightful coffee and tempting cakes, while Jasmine Gaspi appreciates the fresh and healthy offerings along with picturesque views. The venue also excels in hosting weddings, providing personalized culinary menus tailored to guests' dietary preferences, as noted by Rebecca Rodney, who described her special day as “just perfect.”

Whether you're here for a cookery class, a unique dining experience, or a wedding, River Cottage HQ combines culinary excellence with a warm, welcoming vibe that invites you to return time and again. Don't miss out on their vegan options, noted by Dan Howarth, who enjoyed everything from wild mushrooms to the refreshing chocolate and beetroot tart.

Amenities and More

  • Accessibility
    • Has wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Has wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Service options
    • Has outdoor seating
    • On-site services available
    • Serves dine-in
    • No delivery
    • No takeaway
  • Highlights
    • Serves great coffee
    • Serves great dessert
    • Has great tea selection
    • Has great wine list
  • Popular for
    • Popular for breakfast
    • Popular for lunch
  • Offerings
    • Serves alcohol
    • Serves beer
    • Serves cocktails
    • Serves coffee
    • Has free water refills
    • Serves healthy options
    • Serves organic dishes
    • Serves spirits
    • Serves vegan dishes
    • Serves vegetarian dishes
    • Serves wine
  • Dining options
    • Serves breakfast
    • Serves brunch
    • Serves lunch
    • Has catering
    • Serves dessert
    • Has seating
  • Amenities
    • Has bar on site
    • Has gender-neutral toilets
    • Has toilet
    • Has Wi-Fi
    • Free Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Romantic
    • Trendy
    • Upmarket
  • Crowd
    • Good for groups
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Popular with tourists
    • Transgender safe space
  • Planning
    • Brunch reservations recommended
    • Lunch reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Accepts debit cards
    • Accepts NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs available
  • Parking
    • Free parking lot
    • On-site parking
    • Plenty of parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed

Reviews For River Cottage HQ: Cookery School, Dining, and Weddings

Michael Chaplin-Kelly
Jun 11,2025
We stayed in the Gardener’s Cottage and ate at the Chef’s Table experience. It is an excellent opportunity to taste new dishes prepared to a very high standard by experts. The ingredients are locally sourced and so fresh that we saw the picking some of them on the day. At seven courses it is filling so don’t fill up on the sourdough bread. Some of the paired drinks had ‘unique’ flavours and I wouldn’t buy it if I was choosing for myself. Well worth the cost.
Tamsin Poulston
May 27,2025
Always a friendly atmosphere with lovely coffee and inspiring dishes always take away some cake here too
Rebecca Rodney
May 8,2025
We got married at River Cottage on Saturday and it was just perfect! The kitchen team, headed up by Chiara (2024 Masterchef Finalist) were amazing. You get to design your own custom menu, which for us was vegetarian / vegan. You can also stay in the farmhouse which is absolutely beautiful and have your ceremony in the garden. The wedding planner Lucy is an absolute professional. Couldn’t recommend more!
Dan Howarth
May 5,2025
Whilst my wife attended the vegan cheese making course down at River Cottage HQ, I set up camp at the cafe to work. I reserved a table in advance (lucky I did as its Mothers Day weekend and they are very busy), and they have allowed me to stay all day...so I have decided to try all their vegan options. Started off with the wild mushrooms, lemony hummus and sourdough toast, followed later by the chocolate and beetroot tart (oh my word! So light and refreshing!) and just finished off the Parsnip Soup, which was a thing of beauty and tasted amazing. The staff have been so lovely and welcoming and it’s been such a lovely environment to sit and work. I think I might come back next weekend, maybe with the dog.
Jasmine Gaspi
May 2,2025
I had the river cottage garden nap. Delicious food. Tastes fresh and healthy. Great service. Lovely views!! And pram friendly. Definitely coming back here again.
Sukhi Badwal
Mar 22,2025
Loved this place, views are stunning and was the perfect day for breakfast. Viewpoint area is great to take pics. Good food and service with a smile.
Bus Stop
Mar 18,2025
River Cottage is a wonderful location. The facilities are excellent and the Smoking & Curing course was delivered with such knowledge and experience. During the day I had the opportunity to taste a number of cured products from the farms organic livestock along with some lovely dishes cooked by some inspiring chefs. I throughly enjoyed the day and have booked another course in September; can't wait.
G H
Mar 9,2025
Got a coffee in the shop/cafe and one of the super helpful team mentioned it was a supper club the next evening. Burger night. 30 for a choice of burger and then choice of pudding. And what a burger. Staff were amazing. If you can grab some coffee beans on the way out. It makes a fabulous brew.

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