Historic Great Barn Restoration and Mooch Cafe Opening

A new chapter is beginning at Gawthorpe Hall as the restoration of the historic Great Barn nears completion and Mooch Cafe prepares to open in the Hall’s newly refurbished café space.

Originally built in 1605, the Grade I listed Great Barn has stood at the heart of the Gawthorpe estate for more than 420 years. Over the centuries, it has served many purposes, including agricultural storage, an indoor training area for Burnley Football Club and, more recently, an arts and exhibition space. Widely regarded as one of the finest aisled barns in the North West, the building has been closed to the public since 2008.

The £1.35 million restoration project has secured the barn’s long-term future through the repair and replacement of its ageing roof using traditional heritage craft skills. The work has also included improvements to the coach house and visitor facilities, ensuring this remarkable building can once again be enjoyed by future generations.

Visitors can also look forward to the opening of Mooch Gawthorpe, which has taken over the café space at Gawthorpe Hall. Building on the success of its popular Padiham café, Mooch is serving freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches, homemade cakes and speciality coffee in one of Lancashire’s most picturesque settings.

The completion of the restoration and the arrival of Mooch represent an exciting new era for Gawthorpe Hall, enhancing the visitor experience while preserving one of Padiham’s most important historic landmarks. Together, these developments will make Gawthorpe an even more welcoming destination for local residents, walkers, families and visitors discovering the area’s rich heritage.

Whether you’re visiting to explore the beautifully restored Great Barn, enjoy the grounds and Hall, or simply stop for coffee and cake, there’s never been a better time to rediscover Gawthorpe Hall.