22nd Apr 2024
After many years of hosting bespoke weddings and events in the main house, we’re thrilled to unveil our new event space, ‘The Old Kitchens’. This 200-person venue is a total transformation of the building’s once-abandoned Victorian kitchen and staff rooms. Situated in the house’s basement, these rooms, dormant since the Second World War, now offer a remarkable luxury wedding and event venue.
In the 19th Century the Victorian kitchens at Birdsall were a bustling series of rooms routinely feeding a family of fifteen, with upwards of 30 staff each day. At the centre was the large main kitchen supported by a network of smaller pantry rooms and storerooms, meat larders, ice houses, a study for the Head Cook, servants’ halls and workshops. After the Second World War, with the reduction of domestic staff and a seismic shift in how the household was run, the old kitchens were abandoned.
Maintaining many of the original fixtures and fittings, the area has now been transformed into an event and party space. It has its own private bar situated in the old servant’s hall. We’ve also included a double height dance floor where the main kitchen used to be.
The old pantry has been renovated to give guests an area where they can help themselves to evening food. The old cook’s room has become an optional second area for seating.
The project has taken over two years to complete. The space is now available to hire for events and parties as a standalone venue. However, The Old Kitchens can also be used as an additional area for events on site. Weddings or parties that are using the ballroom and other state rooms in the house are welcome to use the kitchens too.
Credit Holly Clark
For those who want to use The Old Kitchens without accessing the rest of the house, there is a separate entrance to the venue. This allows much more flexibility for event planners. Plus, there’s a slight sense of 1920’s prohibition as guests discover a previously unseen entrance and discover a whole new vibe.
We’re proud to say The Old Kitchens is also completely accessible. Those with mobility needs or wheelchair users will have no trouble accessing our luxury wedding venue.
Lady Cara led the renovation project with her husband James, saying:
“We have been very fortunate to host some amazing weddings in the house over the past five years. We are continuing to host exclusive weddings and events in the house. However, we hope that The Old Kitchens will add another fantastic dimension to what we can offer at Birdsall. We’ve received a number of enquiries for other private functions, such as 21st and other milestone birthday parties, music gig nights and product launches. So, we wanted to develop what we can offer at Birdsall House further. That’s when the Victorian kitchens project was born. We can’t wait to welcome people to The Old Kitchens! We think the space will prove a big draw for those wanting somewhere completely unique in Yorkshire.”
The inspiration for The Old Kitchens came from the rooms themselves. Keeping as many historical elements of the building as possible was important to the team. Cara and James have taken time and effort to use products that work with materials already in situ. Every product is very much in keeping with the age of the building. In the main house, there is original wallpaper by William Morris. This theme continues downstairs, in keeping with the upstairs rooms but with a 21st century update. The architect Ben Pentreath has reinvigorated some of William Morris’ original wallpaper designs for the new space. Local craftsmen have worked hard to retain the huge amount of character found in the space. They have carefully selected each and every detail, using as much of the original kitchen cooking implements and crockery as possible.
Our inaugural wedding has already been held in the space – subscribe to our mailing list to see more on that! We truly believe there’s no space like it in the county. Planning a wedding, party or launch and want a breath-taking venue where you can make your own history? The Old Kitchens are available to hire now. Arrange your private viewing of our luxury wedding venue today!
Contact us here to make an appointment now.
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