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Birchwood Restaurant

Birchwood at The Conduit opening 22 June

Will Devlin in Covent Garden (photography by Bracken)

Chef Will Devlin launches Birchwood - The Conduit in partnership with The Conduit and Levy in central London

Chef and Founder of Acre, Will Devlin announces details of Birchwood - The Conduit, his first London hospitality space. Launching in partnership with leading guest experience specialists Levy and its venue partner, The Conduit, a community of global changemakers, Birchwood - The Conduit will open in the heart of Covent Garden this summer.

Launching on 22nd June, Birchwood - The Conduit is the product of a strategic collaboration between the three partners and is centred on the shared values of creativity, craftmanship and conversations that inspire social and environmental change.

Based at The Conduit in Langley Street, Birchwood - The Conduit is a café and wine bar concept and will be followed by the autumn debut of a rooftop restaurant offering an à la carte dining experience, with views over London’s skyline. Both dining experiences will make sustainability inspiring and deeply enjoyable - advancing the partnership’s commitment to deliver unforgettable experiences that prioritise people and the planet.

Jon Davies, CEO of Levy, says: “We are proud to collaborate with Will Devlin and The Conduit, to bring Birchwood to the capital. At Levy, we are committed to working with visionary chefs who put the planet at the heart of the plate. By bridging the gap between independent, ethical farming in Kent and the vibrant energy of central London, we are creating a destination that proves sustainable dining can be accessible and deeply impactful.”

Will Devlin comments:Birchwood - The Conduit will grow from our core values of integrity, seasonality and sustainability - the pillars of everything we do at Acre and ones we share with our partners, Levy and The Conduit. Our food has a deep connection and respect for land, having farmed our own land at The Small Holding and Birchwood Taywell in Kent for eight years, while always pushing flavour and freshness to the forefront. We are excited to be bringing these values of independent, ethical farming and season-led cooking into central London.”

Paul van Zyl, co-founder and CEO of The Conduit, said: “With the opening of Birchwood - The Conduit, we’re inviting our community to pull up a chair at a truly sustainable table.  Thanks to our partnership with Will and Levy, we are creating a soulful space with a menu that delights throughout the day in celebration of exquisite flavours. Uniting purpose and excellence, this carefully curated experience in the heart of Covent Garden is testament to our shared vision of making the most responsible choices the one we desire most, in surroundings that are both effortless and beautiful.”

Birchwood - The Conduit

Building on Birchwood at Taywell Farm in Kent and Will’s mission to ‘Honour Nature’s Bounty’, Birchwood -The Conduit is a versatile, yet intentional dining concept – whether served to stay or to go. At the heart of Will’s cooking is a deep respect for land, animals and the people who care for them. His approach is rooted in provenance, restraint and responsibility, celebrating the seasons and British farming to create food that is always delicious, generous, honest and unmistakably of its place. At Birchwood - The Conduit, whether guests want to grab a quick takeaway or sit down for a plate of British cheeses and a glass of wine in the evening – they can be confident that they’re effortlessly making a good choice, that’s better for the planet, people and what goes on their plate.

The interiors and food at Birchwood - The Conduit

Birchwood - The Conduit is a cosy and versatile space, using natural materials and earthy colours, that allows for flexibility in service style and a menu defined by its versatility. By day guests can choose from a selection of items such as Block Butchery Sausage and Egg Muffin, from Acre’s own farm and butchery in Kent, pastries, sandwiches such as Beef Topside Pastrami Ruben on Rye Bread; Cured Kent Ham and Ashmore Cheddar Toastie and salads such as Sutton Hoo Chicken, Smoked Bacon and Gem Lettuce and fresh fruit and vegetable smoothies and juices.

By afternoon/evening the takeaway offer stops and the whole space becomes a place to meet friends over a glass of wine, cocktail or homemade shrub with small plates, cheese and charcuterie to accompany the conversation. Small plates include Wild Farm Sourdough with Hook & Son Butter; house made charcuterie from Acre’s own farm including Fennel Salami, Beef Bresaola and Cured Coppa; Mushroom Croquettes and Black Garlic; Braised Green Lentils, Smoked Beetroots, Pickled Red Onion and Blackwood Feta. Bringing a little bit of Kent and Sussex to central London something sweet might include Kentish Gypsy Tart and Poached Gooseberries; Bean Smitten and Cobnut Cake and Kuroda Carrot Cake and Meadowsweet Cream Cheese.

Birchwood - The Conduit will open seven days a week from morning until evening.

ENDS

Birchwood Supper Club series

Will Devlin on the Birchwood terrace at Flimwell Park (photography credit Key & Quill)

New supper club series launches at Birchwood, Flimwell Park, East Sussex

A new series of Birchwood Super Clubs is starting on 21 July. Seated on communal dining tables, the evening will be a glorious way to celebrate summer, starting with drinks on the terrace, overlooking the woods of Flimwell Park, before sitting down to dinner, made from the finest Kent and Sussex produce.

Join chef patron Will Devlin and head chef Nick Ryan for a five-course seasonal dinner of sourdough and miso butter, kimchi cured trout, rib of beef from Paley Farm and for pudding, Lower Ladysden Farm strawberries and white chocolate mousse. It wouldn’t be a feast without a cheese course, with Kingcott Dairy’s Kingcott Blue with truffle honey.

The next Birchwood Supper Club dates are on 16 September and 17 November, starting at 7pm.

Reservations are now live and strictly limited, £45 per person.

Birchwood Supper Club on 21 July, 7pm
Table Snacks
Sourdough Bread, Miso butter
Kimchi Cured Trout, Pickled Sea Herbs, Ponzu Sauce
Paley Farm Beef Rib Eye, Tomatoes, Pink Fir Potato
Ladysden Strawberries & White Chocolate Mousse
Kingcott Blue Cheese with Truffle Honey

About Birchwood

Sitting on the edge of 46-acres of birch and chestnut trees in rural East Sussex, Birchwood is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Part of Flimwell Park, a pioneering mixed-use centre of coppiced woodland, Birchwood offers an all-day menu for breakfast and lunch, and is open seven days a week, from 8am-4pm.

Much like Devlin’s first two restaurants The Small Holding and The Curlew, Birchwood is guided by the landscape and self-sufficiency and focused on flavour found in the natural world. Ingredients are local, seasonal, home-grown, and wild. Championing the artisan suppliers of Kent and Sussex, the menu plays host to local cheeses, dairy, wines, spirits, and beer, while many ingredients, such as mushrooms, brambles, elderberries, wood sorrel and birch sap come from the woods, on the steps of the restaurant.

Many of the vegetables, fruit and herbs used at Birchwood comes from the one-acre farm at The Small Holding, less than five miles away in Kilndown, along with eggs, pork, lamb, hogget and mutton from free-range chickens, Berkshire pigs and Romney sheep, who live on site and at a nearby farm.

Environmental, social, and economic sustainability has been at the heart of the construction of Birchwood, with all timber sustainably sourced and weathering steel used for the window bay cladding. Onsite solar power is generated from 300 photo-voltaic cells located on building roofs, cladding, and canopies, with a grid of solar thermal units heating water directly from the sun. The car park SUDS system is made from local stone, geo-textile filtering layers and recycled plastic open-grid surfacing making up the Truck Pav system. Six Tesla charging points have been installed, with two more charging points available for other electric car brands. 

Inside Birchwood, guests have the feeling of the outdoors with a large silver birch tree installation, natural wood beams, smooth concrete floors and large black crittall windows looking out onto the woods, while the warm earth-coloured walls are painted in ‘Red Squirrel’ from Fenwick & Tilbrook. The day’s menu is projected onto the wall to avoid printing paper waste.

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Notes to editors

Birchwood | Flimwell Park | Hawkhurst Road | Filmwell | East Sussex | TN5 7FJ

About Filmwell Park

Flimwell Park, a £6 million pioneering mixed use woodland development, is nearing completion after a decade of consultation, planning and construction. A collaboration between property developer Regalmain and architect Steve Johnson of The Architecture Ensemble and a core team of foresters, ecologists and permaculturists to re-purpose the land, the site has been transformed into an inspiring new model for a sustainable woodland community that blends living, working, recreation and learning. www.flimwellpark.com

Birchwood, Will Devlin's third restaurant, launches on 6 October

Will Devlin on the terrace at Birchwood, Flimwell, East Sussex

Will Devlin on the terrace at Birchwood, Flimwell, East Sussex

Birchwood in Flimwell, East Sussex launches on 6 October.

Owned and run by chef Will Devlin, Birchwood is his third restaurant, alongside The Small Holding, which was awarded a Michelin Green Star in 2021, and The Curlew.

Instagram @birchwood_sussex | Website www.birchwoodrestaurant.com 
Open seven days a week from 8am - 4pm for breakfast and lunch only

Sitting on the edge of 46-acres of birch and chestnut trees in rural East Sussex, Birchwood is set in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Part of Filmwell Park, a pioneering mixed-use centre of coppiced woodland, Birchwood offers an all-day menu for breakfast and lunch, and is open seven days a week, from 8am-4pm. Reservations open on 3 September.

Much like Devlin’s first two restaurants The Small Holding and The Curlew, Birchwood is guided by the landscape and self-sufficiency and focused on flavour found in the natural world. Ingredients are local, seasonal, home-grown, and wild. Championing the artisan suppliers of Kent and Sussex, the menu plays host to local cheeses, dairy, wines, spirits, and beer, while many ingredients, such as mushrooms, brambles, elderberries, wood sorrel and birch sap come from the woods, on the steps of the restaurant. b

Many of the vegetables, fruit and herbs used at Birchwood comes from the one-acre farm at The Small Holding, less than five miles away in Kilndown, along with eggs, pork, lamb, hogget and mutton from free-range chickens, Berkshire pigs and Romney sheep, who live on site and at a nearby farm.

Environmental, social, and economic sustainability has been at the heart of the construction of Birchwood, with all timber sustainably sourced and weathering steel used for the window bay cladding. Onsite solar power is generated from 300 photo-voltaic cells located on building roofs, cladding, and canopies, with a grid of solar thermal units heating water directly from the sun. The car park SUDS system is made from local stone, geo-textile filtering layers and recycled plastic open-grid surfacing making up the Truck Pav system. Six Tesla charging points have been installed, with two more charging points available for other electric car brands. 

Inside Birchwood, guests have the feeling of the outdoors with a large silver birch tree installation, natural wood beams, smooth concrete floors and large black crittall windows looking out on to the woods, while the warm earth-coloured walls are painted in ‘Red Squirrel’ from Fenwick & Tilbrook. The day’s menu is projected on to the wall to avoid printing paper waste.

EAT & DRINK

Opening at 8am for breakfast, there is home-smoked trout, duck egg and sourdough crumpet; waffles with fruit compote and woodruff cream or set goat yogurt with local Goudhurst honey and summer berries. Stay for lunch after a walk in the woods for Paley Farm lamb chops and parsley dressing; skate on the bone with new season potatoes and perry vinegar dressing or farm salad with pickles and preserves. The predominantly natural wine list from nearby vineyards complements the Kent and Sussex cheese and home-cured charcuterie boards. 

Launch sample menu

Breakfast 8am-12pm

Smoked trout, duck egg, sourdough crumpet 
Set goat yogurt, Goudhurst honey, summer berries 
Berkshire pig bacon, sausage, black pudding with egg, mushrooms, potato hash and beans 
Waffles with fruit compote and woodruff cream 
Smoked kippers, brown bread and eggs 

Lunch 12-3pm

Bread & butter 
Marinated anchovies 
Crispy sweetbreads, wild garlic mayonnaise
Home-cured fennel salami, coppa and 24-month aged ham 
Summer farm Salad with pickles and preserves 
Skate on the bone, new season potatoes, Perry vinegar dressing 
Paley Farm lamb chops, parsley dressing

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Notes to editors

For more information about birchwood, high-res images, site visit or interview with Will Devlin please contact Hannah Blake at The Dining Room hannah@thediningroompr.co.uk

For more information about Flimwell Park please contact Sarah Jones at Wilderness PR sarah@wildernesspr.co.uk

Birchwood | Flimwell Park | Hawkhurst Road | Filmwell | East Sussex | TN5 7FJ

The Small Holding is an award-winning kitchen and farm in Kilndown, Kent with an ever-changing seasonal tasting menu and has a Michelin Green Star. Growing, foraging and cooking the best ingredients is at the core of The Small Holding, with daily changing menus, using home-reared and home-grown ingredients from the farm, which is less than 10ft from the kitchen.

The Curlew, set in picture-postcard Sussex countryside, is a Grade II listed former coaching inn with white clapboard façade and views across the fields. Inspired by The Curlew’s countryside location, while only 10 miles to the South Coast, the menu offers simple and seasonal small and sharing plates from land and sea. Ingredients are sourced hyper-locally from the best producers and fishermen or are grown or foraged at The Small Holding, just 8 miles away.

About Filmwell Park

Flimwell Park, a £6 million pioneering mixed use woodland development, is nearing completion after a decade of consultation, planning and construction. A collaboration between property developer Regalmain and architect Steve Johnson of The Architecture Ensemble and a core team of foresters, ecologists and permaculturists to re-purpose the land, the site has been transformed into an inspiring new model for a sustainable woodland community that blends living, working, recreation and learning. www.flimwellpark.com