This a newly reopened cafe in the Southwood Country Park Field Centre, located next to the car park on Ively Road. It is opened Monday-Sunday 8am-5pm. Food is served until 4pm. It is extremely popular at weekends, particularly with families, and is very family-friendly.
The cafe is in a very modern wooden-planked building (all curved walls) and has an open plan eating area, leading out on to a covered outside area with picnic tables. (If you want to eat outside, tell them when you order so they don't give you crockery.) They serve breakfasts (served between 8am and 4pm) and lunches (12 noon- 4pm), as well as cakes for afternoon tea.
As well as full English breakfasts (and a veggie version), they do granola bowls, eggs benedict, shakshuka, crushed avocado with halloumi and eggs, smoked salmon potato rosti and eggs on toast (scrambled, poached, fried). Lunches include burgers, mac'n'cheese, salads, sandwiches, wraps, and soup. All can be served with smoothies or shakes, as well as a standard range of teas, coffees and soft drinks.
We dropped in after a walk, for teas and cakes. We found service to be friendly and efficient, but the cakes were a little disappointing: a standard commercial muffin, and wonderful-looking but slightly dry coffee cake. So okay, but not outstanding. The cafe inside also had the slightly vinegary smell, left over from the all-day breakfasts and folk eating fries, I'm guessing - but maybe we were unlucky on our visit. We'll give it another try on our next walk. read more
