The restaurant will be housed in an orangery-style building in the hotel with a glass atrium overlooking the hotel’s kitchen gardens. He will be joined in the kitchen by Sam Nash, who has previously spent six years at Simon Rogan’s L’Enclume.
The new restaurant is part of an extensive restoration of the Grade II listed building, which is said to be one of the oldest surviving hotels in England. Located in the village of Wansford-in-England and dating back to 1571, the hotel will have 49 bedrooms as well as two restaurants and a bar and lounge when it opens on 22 June.
Following that, a second phase, to be completed in August, will see the addition of a cookery school and farm shop.
The hotel will launch then launch a luxury spa and riverside glamping in early 2022.
Clarke will also oversee all elements of the food and beverage at the hotel including breakfast, afternoon tea and at the more casual Haycock Kitchen, which will serve a brasserie-style menu featuring seasonal grills and salads.
The restaurant will be housed in the historic original inn dating from 1534. It will feature a large garden terrace overlooking the village high street.
“The Haycock has a proud history of welcoming guests for over 450 years but the guest experience we are creating now combines that wonderful history with luxury finishes and the latest smart technology,” says general manager Tom Wortley.
“Our highly talented team have been tasked with making the Haycock one of the finest hotels and food destinations in the East of England and they have the skills, experience and drive to achieve it.”