THE POT KILN (Est.2005) is a destination Country Inn and Rustic Restaurant offering rural chic dining and seasonal menus of hearty and wholesome dishes. Set in a conservation area of outstanding natural beauty and on The Lord Iliffe’s Yattendon Estate, the Pot Kiln enjoys unrivalled access to nine thousand acres of woods and farmland with a nutritious wild food larder of game and seasonal foraging at its kitchen door. The Pot Kiln partners, Katie and Rocky, share a compassionate ideology to avoid produce from intensive farming practices and so promote respect and care for nature’s plants, animals and landscape.

While closed in 2019 for nine months and a £1.5 million renovation, a further twelve months of enforced closures followed, nevertheless, business has soared to a ten-year high. Strategic diversification has led to new revenues from ten en-suite guest rooms, venue hire for weddings and TV companies, an annual programme of cultural events, rural courses and members’ subscriptions from its dining club chaired by Raymond Blanc OBE. This month, following eighteen years of consistent five-star national media coverage and awards, the Pot Kiln has received a Michelin Good Cooking Plate Award and with reviews from millions of TripAdvisor travellers, a listing in the 10% of Top Restaurants Worldwide.

Back in 2019, The FSE Group, through the Thames Valley Berkshire Funding Escalator supported the business with expansion finance to expand its business and operations.

“It is fantastic to see the Pot Kiln thriving as we ease out of COVID-19 restrictions. The hospitality trade has been hit hard by the pandemic, with many restaurants and venues closing. But a loyal customer base and beautiful renovations have enabled the Pot Kiln to exploit its unique location and expand into a real multi-revenue enterprise. Encouraging times are ahead for Katie and Rocky - we look forward to watching their vision grow as they seek to establish a venue of culinary and cultural distinction.” Cheryl Weeks – The FSE Group / Head of Funds South-East

For more information about The Pot Kiln visit: https://www.potkiln.org/

For more information about The FSE Group and the Thames Valley Berkshire Funding Escalator visit: https://www.thefsegroup.com/fund/thames-valley-berkshire-funding-escalator/