About Us
We are a family run business, formerly of the award winning Plough Inn, Wreay and we pride ourselves on providing home cooked freshly prepared locally sourced food. We are thrilled to be here at Crofton Hall and excited to work closely with all our neighbouring businesses.
We will be selling some of our old favourite meals and specials from The Plough Inn, Wreay, which we ran for 6 years prior, alongside full English breakfasts, cakes, Sunday roasts and afternoon teas.
We sincerely hope that you will enjoy your visit and come back to see us time and time again. All our meals are cooked fresh to order which will result in a small wait for your food so we thank you for your patience especially during busy times. If you have any food allergies, please inform staff of this before ordering so that we can advise on suitable dishes.
Opening Times
Wednesday to Saturday: 10.00am - 3.30pm (Last entry 3pm)
Sunday: 11pm - 3.30pm (Last entry 3pm)
Serving Breakfast 10.00am to 11.30am Wednesday to Saturday
Sunday 11 - 12pm
Lunches 11.30am to 3pm Wednesday to Saturday
Sunday 12 - 3pm (last food orders 3pm)
Tel: 01228 642478
History
From the time of King John (1166 — 1216) there has been an estate at Crofton. In its day the estate featured Crofton Hall itself with adjacent stable blocks, beautiful walled gardens, formal gardens and subterranean ice-house, Coachman's house, stone entrance archway with gatehouses, deer park and lake; not to mention several estate farms and houses.
Sadly the hall itself was demolished between 1955 and 1956.
Many of the buildings are now listed and detailed on various English Heritage websites should you wish to explore the history further.
The walled gardens can still be seen today as well as the ice-house. The estate is steeped in history and was the family seat of the Brisco family for 500 years. The motto of the Brisco family was “GRATA -SUME-MANU" which translates “Take with a grateful hand’’. We feel it is a beautiful motto to follow.
Our coffee shop was built in part of the old stable block dating back to 1826.
We love the history, vista, view and gardens of Crofton that can still be seen today. The stone arch which starts the journey into the estate, the stunning orangery in the shadow of the beautiful courtyard which is where our coffee shop is. I'm sure you will love our coffee shop as much as we do.
Things To See and Do
As well as the local Crofton Lake, there are several local businesses within the courtyard such Crofton Hall storage and Liquid Logic production studios, Glazed Expressions who design and sell beautiful, fused glass art and offer workshops for interested parties. Enefftech UAV Services and Soul Speak Holistic therapies offering a range of treatments are just some of the collective businesses here at Crofton Artisan village.
The nearby Crofton Workshops house Evolve Yoga, Upland Clay Pottery, Cotton Tails children’s designer wear, Nick May Art Gallery and E-Dog who manufacture dog harnesses. Lastly Thornby Moor Dairy (Cheese Farm) making stunning cheeses from locally farmed cow and goat's milk. Crofton Hall caravan site opens March to November and five pitches are available. The original boating lake now belongs to Carlisle and Eden Angling association but you can walk around the lake if you respect the site and fisherman.
Please feel free to have a look around whilst you are visiting the coffee shop. Details of each business can be found on our leaflet stands. Samples of the local produce and art can be purchased within the coffee shop. See any staff member for further details of this.