Galton Blackiston Announces New Investment in Morston Hall
Multi-award-winning hotel and restaurant Morston Hall has announced new investment that will support ongoing development of the business and an exciting programme of renovation.
Under the agreement, financial input is being provided by hotel investor Henry Elworthy, who is looking to support the existing team’s commitment to culinary excellence and to providing the finest guest accommodation. The eight-strong kitchen team will remain unchanged, with Morston Hall co-founder Galton Blackiston continuing as executive chef. The involvement of Henry Elworthy will enable Galton to focus even more of his attention on driving the business’s reputation as one of the UK’s leading fine-dining destinations.
Galton, who co-founded Morston Hall more than 30 years ago, said: “Over recent years, I’ve faced an increasingly challenging balancing act between overseeing the hotel and restaurant’s day-to-day operations and focusing on the culinary excellence for which our kitchens have enjoyed such widespread acclaim.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Henry, who shares our team’s unerring vision for developing the business, allowing me to devote even more time to creating exciting new menus and to maximising our commitment to using the finest seasonal, locally produced ingredients.”
He added: “Innovation remains key to the success of Morston Hall, while we will also be continuing to grow as much produce as possible in the restaurant’s own gardens.”
In addition, with the new investment in the business, Galton hopes to be able to devote more time to delivering his hugely popular cookery demonstrations up and down the UK, and to his appearances on high-profile television cookery shows.
Over recent years Morston Hall, which is located at Morston near Holt in north Norfolk, has celebrated a succession of honours and accolades. It has held a prestigious Michelin star without interruption for more than a quarter of a century and also holds four AA rosettes.
It has featured regularly in The Good Food Guide and is listed in the prestigious Harden’s guide to the UK’s top 100 restaurants. In addition, Morston Hall has retained its ranking for 2025 as one of “the top 1,000 restaurants in the world” by La Liste, which is credited as being “the most selective global guide of restaurants, pastry shops and hotels, for gourmets and international travellers”.
Announcing his involvement with the business, Henry Elworthy said: “I am delighted to be teaming up with Galton and the whole team at Morston Hall to further build on their reputation for culinary excellence.
“We have exciting plans for this beautiful venue while remaining faithful to Morston Hall’s unique dining experience which has been so popular with our guests looking to mark a special occasion in a beautiful part of the country over the past 30 years.”
As part of the additional investment, Morston Hall is to embark on an exciting programme of renovation across its 13 individually styled guest bedrooms, which are divided between the historic main building – parts of which date from the 1600s – and a number of recently added garden suites.
Morston Hall was converted to become a restaurant in 1992 and has been celebrated widely for its evening dining experience which includes a daily changing, seven-course taster menu. As well as its 13 bedrooms, the property boasts an impressive kitchen garden and an acre of beautifully manicured gardens, all set within the stunning landscape of the north Norfolk coast.
