Michelin Star Chef Glynn Purnell has announced that his new café & bistro at Charterhouse, one of Coventry’s most historic buildings, will open on Thursday 27 April.

The Grade I listed fourteenth century Carthusian monastery - one of only ten ever built in Britain - is owned by Historic Coventry Trust and completed a £12m restoration project in March this year, part funded by a grant of over £6m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund. Charterhouse is a stunning oasis in the heart of Coventry and a major new visitor attraction for the region.

The 14th Century building features three carefully restored and conserved wall paintings and a newly revitalised garden as well as the brand-new café bar. Named Purnell’s Café & Bistro at Charterhouse, the indoor and outdoor venue will operate during the day as well as bringing a special evening destination to Coventry, as it will remain open after Charterhouse itself has closed.

Following the success of The Mount by Glynn Purnell opening in Henley-in-Arden in March 2022, Glynn said it was an ambition of his to further expand his businesses outside of Birmingham: “I am thrilled and proud to be part of what is unquestionably an amazing venue. Charterhouse is a remarkable building of national importance and the project to restore it has been fantastic. Ian and his team at Historic Coventry Trust have seen their vision and plans for Charterhouse become an attraction of regional and national standing. It is an honour to be part of one of the most important times in Coventry’s history as it enjoys its legacy from UK City of Culture. Bringing the Purnell’s brand to the city of Coventry is very exciting, especially to be doing so on such a historic ground.

"It is a massive opportunity to bring such a strong food brand into Coventry and to hopefully be the catalyst of an explosive new food culture, as I was in Birmingham in the early 2000s. My award-winning team and I will bring a stunning café & bistro which will offer an all-day menu centering around simplicity and seasonality, taking the very best ingredients and respectfully combining them to deliver the most incredible flavours.”

Purnell added: “Our welcoming, beautiful new café & bistro offers a wide range of delicious food and beverages within a unique and historic setting. We will use locally sourced ingredients to produce mouth-watering combinations, with great wines and other drinks to match. The stunning views of the Charterhouse heritage park, with equally incredible food, will offer something that not only Coventry can be proud of, but the whole country, placing the city firmly on the culinary map.

"The aim is that Purnell’s Café & Bistro at Charterhouse will provide an all-day experience for Coventry locals as well as visitors to Charterhouse. With a field-to-fork ethos of making the most of the amazing produce being grown in the garden on site, Purnell’s Café & Bistro at Charterhouse will provide visitors with some much-needed respite after a busy morning immersing themselves in the history of Charterhouse. Our cake counter will be a veritable feast for those visitors who have a sweet tooth. Freshly made cakes, pastries, snacks and hot drinks are on offer for those wishing to enjoy elevenses or a mid-afternoon treat, and the café & bistro also offers a ‘small plates’ menu with wine, champagne and other drinks available for those wishing to enjoy a celebratory lunch or evening meal.”

For more information, or to book a table, click here.