The Bakehouse at Ashridge House
CLIENT:
Ashridge House
PROJECT LOCATION:
Berkhamsted | East
PROJECT VALUE:
N/A
ARCHITECT:
N/A
PROJECT MANAGER:
N/A
CONTRACTOR
N/A
The Bakehouse at Ashridge House is a café set in a picturesque courtyard within the historic Ashridge House in Berkhamsted. Conceived during lockdown as a temporary refreshment point for visitors, its popularity led to the creation of a permanent facility.
Vision Commercial Kitchens was appointed to design and install the kitchen for this brand-new café, ensuring it reflected the heritage of the building while supporting modern catering operations.
Designing an all-electric kitchen
Sustainability was a key priority for the client, with equipment choices reflecting a conscious effort to reduce carbon footprint. The installation was fully electric, featuring an MKN cookline with combi ovens, solid top, fryer, and induction hob. Foster coldrooms and cabinets and Partridge ventilation were also specified, alongside vinyl flooring and whiterock cladding.
Delivering within a listed building
The project was completed as Covid restrictions were being eased, adding logistical complexities. Additional challenges came from working within a listed building, where both layout and finishes needed to respect the fabric of the site. The client wanted the interiors to reflect a rustic yet contemporary style in keeping with the character of Ashridge House. Vision's installation supported this vision, contributing to a space that feels both sympathetic to its surroundings and highly functional.
Successful opening
Since opening, The Bakehouse café has proved to be extremely popular, providing visitors with a high-quality facility in a stunning setting. The project demonstrates Vision’s ability to deliver sustainable, future-ready catering facilities in challenging heritage environments.
Testimonial
"I have been working closely with Vision Commercial Kitchens over the past twenty years, and once again the team has delivered a first class kitchen and bespoke Bakehouse café. The attention to detail on design and project management was impeccable."
– Paul Patterson, F&B Head Chef, Ashridge House
