Naughty Dog Bistro at Lympne Castle – Design & Build 🏰

From Historic Stables to Contemporary Dining

We were proud to continue our longstanding relationship with the Lympne Castle management team by taking on the design and build of their latest addition—The Naughty Dog Bistro, a stylish and relaxed restaurant now housed in what was once the castle’s stables.

🗓 Fast-Tracked for Film

While the project had been under discussion for some time, timelines shifted rapidly when a Canadian film crew confirmed plans to document the refurbishment of the castle for international broadcast. The program focused on the estate’s transformation under its new owner, Dr Ann Kaplan Mulholland, a well-known entrepreneur and TV personality.

This change meant we had to deliver the entire kitchen and bar installation under tight deadlines, all while working on a live filming location and coordinating with numerous other contractors also racing to finish their parts of the project.

Despite the fast pace and the unique challenges of the site—including limited access, listed building restrictions, and the presence of film crews—we completed the works on time and to specification.

🧱 Respecting Heritage, Delivering Modernity

The original building—a rustic stable block—had to be carefully adapted to accommodate a professional catering environment without compromising its historic character. Our design solution preserved the space’s architectural charm while ensuring it could support a fully functional, high-capacity kitchen and bar.

• The kitchen layout was meticulously planned to maximise available space while supporting an efficient cooking flow.

• A bespoke extraction ventilation system was installed to control heat and cooking odours without disrupting the ambiance of the restaurant or neighbouring castle areas.

• We fitted hygienic uPVC wall cladding and Polyflor slip-resistant vinyl flooring to meet modern health and safety standards while ensuring ease of cleaning and maintenance.

🍽 The Bistro Experience

Inside, the Naughty Dog Bistro delivers a warm, welcoming experience with a casual yet refined aesthetic that blends beautifully with its castle surroundings. The main dining room opens out into a stunning courtyard terrace, offering al fresco dining in an elegant outdoor setting—perfect for everything from morning coffees to evening meals.

Behind the scenes, we supplied and installed a complete suite of commercial-grade catering appliances, enabling the kitchen team to deliver a varied and contemporary menu with ease.

The bar area was fitted with custom-fabricated stainless steel counters, refrigeration, and glasswashing equipment. We designed it not only to function smoothly for staff but to be visually appealing and accessible for customers—serving everything from cocktails to local beers with efficiency and style.

📞 Want a Kitchen or Bar Like This?

Whether you’re planning a restaurant in a listed building or refreshing your hospitality venue, call us on 01304 249963 to start your design and build journey.

📸 Scroll down to view the transformation and see the completed space

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