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Film Set Hire at Goodnestone Park

The Manor House

12 Bedroom / 24 Guests Book now

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Bonnington Cottage

2 Bedrooms / 4 Guests Book now

Brunch at Goodnestone: Slow Mornings, Simple Pleasures

There’s something rather special about mornings at Goodnestone Park. The air feels fresher here, the pace gentler, and the promise of a good breakfast all the more inviting. As the estate begins to stir — the gardens brushed with soft light, the café windows steaming slightly from the warmth within — the Old Dairy Café opens its doors for the kind of brunch that makes you want to linger just a little longer.

Once the working dairy of the estate, the Old Dairy was lovingly converted in 2017, and its sense of heritage remains woven through every detail. The scent of freshly baked sourdough drifts from the kitchen, our 29-year-old starter still at the heart of every loaf. It’s that slow, considered craftsmanship that defines breakfast here — from the hand-made chutneys and pickles to the locally sourced eggs and smoked bacon.

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Familiar Comforts, Perfected

The menu celebrates familiar comforts, each with its own thoughtful twist. The Farmer’s Roll is a generous nod to the Kent countryside — beechwood smoked bacon, butcher’s sausage, black pudding and melted cheddar, all tucked into a warm homemade ciabatta with our signature spicy tomato chutney. Its lighter counterpart, the Gardener’s Roll, swaps the black pudding for an extra helping of comfort.

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For Slower, Brighter Mornings

For something brighter, the Smashed Avocado on Toasted Sourdough comes drizzled with chilli oil and scattered with toasted seeds — simple, nourishing, and perfectly balanced. And if you prefer your mornings on the classic side, our Scrambled or Poached Eggs on sourdough are exactly what they should be: buttery, unhurried, and beautifully cooked.

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A Little Something Sweet

Those with a sweet tooth are well looked after too. The Goodnestone Cream Tea is served all day — two fruit scones with clotted cream, your choice of jam, and a proper pot of tea. Or try Christina’s Plain or Fruit Scone, baked to an old family recipe that includes cream and buttermilk, and served warm from the oven. Every cake, from the Lemon Drizzle Loaf to the Chocolate & Hazelnut Brownie, is baked on the premises — because, quite honestly, that’s the only way we’d want it.

We like to think of brunch here as more than just a meal; it’s a quiet ritual — a way to slow down, connect, and savour what’s local and real. The ingredients are honest, the flavours unfussy, and the atmosphere deliberately unhurried. There’s a certain ease to it all: dogs are welcome (they have their own Doggie Sausage on the menu), the coffee is strong, and the welcome, always warm.

Whether you’re walking the gardens, meeting friends, or simply escaping for a while, breakfast at Goodnestone feels like a gentle luxury — something timeless and restorative. Take a seat by the window, watch the morning unfold over the walled gardens, and let the day begin just as it should: slowly, deliciously, and with a little Kentish charm.