A popular village restaurant has reopened with a fully gluten-free menu and an offer of destination dining.
The Caunton Beck, in Caunton, has opened its doors to diners under new ownership, with family-run team Lorna Thompson and daughter Bonnie Turnbull hoping to create what they describe as a “special location for special occasions”.
The restaurant, which officially opened last month after several years of refurbishment work and delays caused by flooding, has been transformed into a Mediterranean-inspired venue with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced produce and inclusive dining.
The Caunton Beck has reopened in Caunton. Photo: Iliffe Media
A key part of the concept comes from Bonnie, who was diagnosed with coeliac disease nine years ago and felt eating out often became a “frustrating experience”.
She said: “Going anywhere with me was just a nightmare. I’d end up having a salad or missing half the meal because, for example, in a Sunday roast, I couldn’t have the gravy, Yorkshire puddings or stuffing.
“There were times I even took my own gravy out with me.
“We wanted to create somewhere where people with coeliac disease or allergies can come and eat safely without feeling like an inconvenience.”
Drone photo of The Caunton Beck. Photo: Iliffe Media
Every dish on the menu is gluten-free, from homemade bread and desserts to pasta dishes and Sunday roasts — something Bonnie says many customers do not realise until after their meal.
“We didn’t want to preach it to people or make it feel like a ‘gluten free restaurant’. We wanted it to be flavour first,” she added.
All the spirits and wines in the restaurant are also gluten-free, and there is a suitable lager brand created nine months ago which is available as well.
The business has been three years in the making after the family bought the former pub in February 2023.
Soft launch event at The Caunton Beck, Caunton. Photo: Iliffe Media
Shortly after renovation work began, severe flooding hit the village and caused major damage to the building, forcing much of the project to restart from scratch.
“We’re really proud of what we’ve created. We wanted to keep the charm and history of the building while giving it a new lease of life,” Lorna said.
She described the reopening of the restaurant as “like a phoenix rising from the ashes”.
The Caunton Beck, formerly known as The Hole in the Wall Arms, has been part of the village for centuries and was once a much-loved community pub.
Lorna added: “It’s been part of village life for hundreds of years. There’s so much history here and we really wanted to honour that.
“It feels peaceful and special here, with the setting, the beck running behind the building and the church nearby.”
Fresh homemade food at The Caunton Beck. All the food is gluten-free. Photo: Iliffe Media
The restaurant combines English and Mediterranean influences inspired by the family’s restaurant in a Spanish resort and family hospitality history, with menus changing regularly and all food freshly prepared in-house.
There is no deep frying, no microwaves and no processed foods, as the team value freshly prepared and homemade meals.
One of the reasons behind the family’s decision to buy the Caunton Beck was that Lorna’s husband, Darren Sargent, used to go to the restaurant with his mother, creating memories and a soft spot for the site.
At the moment, the business is open Fridays from 5-11pm, Saturdays from 3-11pm and Sundays from noon till 9pm.
The Caunton Beck, Caunton. Photo: Iliffe Media
In the future, the team hopes to expand opening days, launch brunches and terrace dining, and host more live music events and themed evenings.
“We want to create the sort of dining experience where people feel looked after from the moment they walk through the door,” Bonnie added.
“We want everyone to feel that it is a special place. It’s a special destination, because we want destination dining.”
The Caunton Beck, Caunton. Photo: Iliffe Media.
Customers are asked to book in advance of their visit to the restaurant; they can do so by emailing info@thecauntonbeck.co.uk or by calling 01636 391800.
In the coming week, a website will be launched through which customers can make their bookings. Despite bookings being preferred for advanced planning, walk-ins are also welcome.
The Caunton Beck, Caunton. Photo: Iliffe MediaThe Caunton Beck, Caunton. Photo: Iliffe MediaThe Caunton Beck, Caunton. Photo: Iliffe MediaFresh homemade food at The Caunton Beck. All the food is gluten-free. Photo: Iliffe MediaFresh homemade food at The Caunton Beck. All the food is gluten-free. Photo: Iliffe Media