Kirkharle Lake and Courtyard is a truly unique visitor experience set in the beautiful Northumbrian countryside, only thirty minutes from Newcastle upon Tyne, Hexham, Morpeth and Alnwick.

Home to a coffee house and restaurant, you can enjoy mouth-watering brunch and lunch dishes served with a range of freshly brewed teas and coffees and a wide selection of wine and beer. Passionate about good food, a variety of home-cooked daily specials often use locally-sourced ingredients…with some even grown on the Kirkharle Estate itself! Also available are a selection of homemade cakes and scones, including the famous Capability Brown cream tea, which was inspired by the most famous of British landscape gardeners.

Kirkharle was the birthplace of Lancelot Capability Brown, the landscape artist once described as the Shakespeare of Gardening, who lived on the estate until he was 23. The inspirational vision of Capability Brown has recently been brought to life and you can now enjoy his birthplace yourself by taking the pleasant walk around the lake on the fully accessible footpath and you can find an exhibition about the man and his work within the courtyard.

Together, with the recent addition of the Capability Brown play area (for children aged 2-9 years) and a series of activities for the kids, including historic games, a nature trail and a large sandpit area, there’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained.

Enjoy a great day out to explore the inspirational landscape, the artist and designers studios within the 18th century courtyard and take the opportunity to enjoy a delicious home-cooked meal or relaxing snack in a beautiful, rural setting.