The Courtyard offers a warm farmhouse feel in the heart of rural Northumberland. Situated in Pegswood, the early 1900’s historic building is rusticly styled. Here you can drink craft ales, beautiful wine and enjoy the robust taste of farm-to-table Northumberland cuisine, prepared by our gastronomically talented team.

Matt Hudson

Matt is our head chef and brings a wealth of experience and a stellar reputation, having made a significant impact in the culinary world with his exceptional talent.

His innovative and flavourful dishes have not only delighted diners but also earned him numerous accolades. Matt has been recognised for his work in the Estrella top 50 gastropubs, and featured in The Guardian's prestigious list of Best Gastro Pubs where he was sous chef, solidifying his status as a culinary force to be reckoned with.

Matt will be introducing a range of exquisite dishes that blend traditional flavours with modern culinary techniques. Matt is an ethical chef that likes to cook head to tail, leaving no waste from an animal. His commitment to using fresh, locally-sourced ingredients aligns perfectly with our philosophy of providing high-quality, sustainable dining experiences.

Ashleigh Whitfield - @ashluxlife

“Matt puts his heart and soul into his cooking using the finest, freshest ingredients. He’s a great creative and one of the North East’s most talented chefs.”

Ellie Redshaw

Ellie Redshaw’s journey at The Courtyard is one we are incredibly proud of.

Starting at the very beginning and working her way up through the team, Ellie now leads as our General Manager. She understands every moving part of the business because she has lived it. That experience gives her a sharp eye for detail, a calm head under pressure and the ability to spot solutions before problems ever reach the floor.

Ellie is a natural leader. She listens properly. She takes the time to understand both guests and team members. She has a great ear for feedback and an instinct for what needs tweaking, improving or celebrating. Nothing slips past her, yet she leads with kindness and warmth.

Behind the scenes, Ellie makes sure we run a tight ship. Service flows smoothly, standards stay high and the team feels supported. On the floor, she is gregarious, approachable and always ready with a smile, ensuring every guest feels genuinely looked after.

Her blend of operational precision and people first leadership is a huge part of what makes The Courtyard what it is today. Quality, consistency and that welcoming atmosphere our community knows and loves all start with Ellie at the helm.

Ella Joyce

Ella Piper is the heartbeat behind the bar at The Courtyard.

As our Bar Supervisor and Front of House Team Lead, Ella brings wit, charm and genuine warmth to every shift. She has that rare ability to make first time visitors feel like regulars and regulars feel like family. Approachable, empathetic and effortlessly confident, she sets the tone for the lively yet relaxed atmosphere we are known for.

Behind the bar, Ella truly knows her craft. From perfectly balanced cocktails mixed with flair and precision to a beautifully poured pint with the ideal head every time, she takes pride in the details that make all the difference. Whether it is a classic Negroni, a seasonal spritz or a crisp local ale, you are in safe hands.

More than anything, Ella leads by example. She supports the team, keeps service flowing smoothly and ensures every guest experience reflects what The Courtyard stands for, quality, warmth and community.

If you have enjoyed a great cocktail, a cracking pint or a proper warm welcome, chances are Ella had something to do with it.

Culinary Team

At the heart of The Courtyard is a kitchen driven by passion craft and consistency. Led by Head Chef Matt Hudson with Martin Futers as second in command the culinary team has been on an incredible journey since opening. Together they have shaped a menu that is bold comforting seasonal and unmistakably ours.

That commitment has been recognised time and time again. We have proudly held No.1 in our area on TripAdvisor for over a year. We have been voted Top 100 UK restaurants for brunch and lunch plus Top 100 romantic restaurants in the UK by OpenTable. We also placed in the Chronicle’s Top 3 restaurants in the North East for Sunday roasts up against some seriously stiff competition.

Behind the awards is a kitchen that simply grafts. Since opening we have served over 8,000 chicken dishes. Our sticky toffee pudding has built a reputation of its own. When it comes to game we proudly lead from the front with our renowned game pie now a true Courtyard signature.

This is food cooked with care served with pride and rooted in proper hospitality. From brunch through to Sunday lunch every plate tells the story of a team that refuses to stand still and loves what it does.

We proudly work with local Northumbrian suppliers for our bread, eggs, potatoes and oysters, keeping everything as close to home as possible.

Farm to table is at the heart of what we do. Fresh, seasonal ingredients from trusted local producers mean better flavour on your plate and stronger roots in our community.

Our Suppliers

Fresh, Seasonal, Farm to Table…

Adams
Bakehouse

We are proud to work with Adams Bakehouse, a local Northumberland artisan baker known for their exceptional breads and buns. Based originally in Bedlington and now with a bakery in the heart of Morpeth on Newgate Street, Adams Bakehouse handcrafts their sourdough and seeded milk buns in small batches with real care.

Their sourdough brings depth and character to our dishes and their seeded milk buns are the perfect home for our Courtyard burgers. Using locally made bread straight from a trusted Northumbrian supplier aligns with our farm to table philosophy and helps us celebrate great regional produce.

Northumbrian
Eggs

Our eggs come from Northumbrian Eggs, a trusted local producer dedicated to quality and welfare. Carefully sourced from farms across the region, their free range eggs are fresh, rich in flavour and consistently high in standard.

From perfectly poached eggs at brunch to golden Yorkshire puddings on a Sunday, great eggs make a real difference. Working with a Northumberland supplier allows us to stay true to our farm to table ethos while supporting the local farming community that surrounds us.

Heritage Buston Potatoes

We are proud to source our potatoes from Heritage Buston Potatoes, a Northumberland grower with generations of farming knowledge behind them. Grown in rich local soil and carefully selected for quality and consistency, their potatoes form the backbone of many of our dishes.

From crisp roasties to golden fries and perfectly fluffy mash, having the right potato makes all the difference. Working with a trusted regional supplier means we can deliver flavour, freshness and true farm to table provenance on every plate.

Lindisfarne
Oysters

Our oysters come from Lindisfarne Oysters, harvested from the clean, tidal waters around Holy Island on the Northumberland coast. Grown slowly in their natural environment, these oysters are known for their fresh, briny flavour and beautifully clean finish.

Serving seafood this close to its source is something we are incredibly proud of. Partnering with a local coastal producer allows us to bring a true taste of Northumberland to the table while staying faithful to our farm to table philosophy.

Particularly Good Potatoes

We also work with Particularly Good Potatoes, a proudly independent British supplier dedicated to doing one thing exceptionally well. Their carefully grown and expertly prepared potatoes bring reliability, flavour and consistency to our kitchen every single day.

From crisp golden chips to beautifully fluffy mash, quality potatoes are the foundation of great cooking. Partnering with producers who care as much about provenance and sustainability as we do ensures every plate reflects our farm to table values and commitment to proper Northumbrian food.