Truly Scrumptious - Deli Rocks, Bournemouth, Dorset

Southbourne is developing a café society with new coffee outlets appearing almost monthly.  

Deli Rocks offers a touch of Italy in an English suburb.  Owned and run by Giovanni Dora, an Anglo-Italian from Parma, Deli Rocks is a combination of café and delicatessen with a lively atmosphere and interesting décor.

Deli Rocks offers a range of coffees as well as light lunches, which include pizzas, pasta, platters of cold meats or cheeses and foccacia – all served by a friendly staff.

The ‘deli’ section has a good range of products by well-known Italian manufacturers and at Christmas there are many gift wrapped food items.  The porcini paté is exceptional.  

All images (c) Deli Rocks

The ‘Rocks’ in the name seems to relate to the music which, while not being intrusive, adds to the character of the place.

Truly Scrumptious - Weld Arms, Lulworth

If you fancy a trip to the coast and want a spot of lunch whilst you're out, why not try the Weld Arms near Lulworth Cove?

It has a contemporary feel with its new decor but still retains the charm of an old country pub.  It follows the gastro-pub vein, but because of its tasteful furnishing it isn't austere.  In fact it's really quite cosy.

This classic ancient thatched inn can be found at the foot of the gates of Lulworth castle. In the winter (is it ever going to end?) you can enjoy log fires, fine ales, fine wines and superb food. And importantly, staff are friendly and helpful too.

And in the summer, you can enjoy the good weather and sit in the beer garden where there are views over the Purbecks.

They have just opened up their accommodation, offering 5 boutique double rooms which again have been thoughtfully designed with all the modern facilities decorated with classical sophisticated charm.

   

all images (c) The Weld Arms

Truly Scrumptious - Hackwood Farm, Shop and Tearooms, Derbyshire

We love good farm shops and this one in Radbourne, Derbyshire, is another great find.

Hackwood Farm Shop & Cafe opened in 2011 and sources produce from traditional local suppliers.  Their butchery is run in partnership with award winning Owen Taylor Sons.

    

And their cafe serves freshly prepared daily specials including breakfast snacks, light lunches and afternoon teas, again using locally sourced ingredients from the farm shop and other trusted suppliers. 

This Spring they are opening a small children's farm giving children the opportunity to see, hear and smell farm animals and understand where their food comes from. 

All images (c) Hackwood Farm

There will be a big welcome from Bobby the goat and all his friends when you go to visit.  Check their website for further details. www.hackwoodfarm.com

Days Out - Priory Park, Reigate

Spent a great afternoon in Priory Park, Reigate last weekend. As well as the Priory after which the park is named, there's a lot going on. 

There is a fantastic wooden play area that will spark the imagination of would-be pirates.

A skate park and tennis courts for the more adventurous and fit or croquet lawn for the genteel.

You can wander round the formal gardens in the Priory grounds, stroll round the pond or meander through the woodland area.

And possibly something you wouldn't expect to see. The newly built Pavilion which appears to hover above the grass.  Inside the floor to ceiling windows there's a cafe and in good weather you can sit outside and enjoy the view.

Truly Scrumptious - the Beckford Arms, Tisbury. Wiltshire.

It's easy to see why the Beckford Arms has been voted UK Dining Pub of the Year by the Good Pub Guide.

  

The inn is covered in ivy and lit with welcoming lamps. It manages to be a country pub, restaurant and hotel all the same time. There is a choice of places to eat: a bustling bar, elegant dining room, pretty conservatory and garden or a quiet sitting.

It's no surprise to learn that Charlie Luxton trained at Babington House. Together with co-owner Dan Brod they have stamped their own style on the place. 

The menu has its roots in pub food but is so much more which I can't possibly do credit to here, but goes from traditional pub fare (ham, egg & homemade chunky chips) to more eclectic choices such as suckling pig, locally caught trout, game pie, followed by dark chocolate truffle with sea salt ice-cream.

Truly Scrumptious - Betty's Tea Rooms, Harrogate

Betty’s tearoom in Harrogate (with 5 others around Yorkshire) is well worth queuing for, if you have too. This graceful, but never pompous, tearoom is not even British in origin but was set up in 1919 by a young Swiss orphan.

Betty’s cooks everything in its own kitchens and stays loyal to the county of Yorkshire, refusing to allow its products over the border to towns elsewhere.

In the tea-room, smart-suited men show people to tables and traditionally-attired waitresses scurry here and there bearing vanilla slices, fruit cakes, caramel chocolate hearts and “plump and fruity Fat Rascals, with bright cherry eyes and cheeky almond grins” on silver-plated three tier cake stands.

And of course as a Swiss chocolatier, chocolates had  to feature heavily too.  So you stretch the experience by taking away a few little treats for later.

All images (c) Betty's of Harrogate

Days Out - National Garden Scheme, Deans Court, Wimborne

Next to the lovely Sharland & Lewis emporium in Wimborne, you can find Dean's Court.  Seldom open, I'm going to be taking a quick trip there tomorrow when the Gardens are open as part of the National Garden Scheme.

 

I'll have a chance to wander round the fish pond, herb garden and apiary and with luck the apple orchard will be coming into bloom too.

The house makes a perfect backdrop to the stunning setting.  I can almost hear Mr Darcy splashing into the lake above!

They have an amazing kitchen garden and as well as enjoying something in their tea room, you can buy fresh produce in their shop.

If you can't get there tomorrow, they are also open on May 15th, June 16th and July 3rd.  Check the NGS website for details. 

Days Out - Laugharne, Wales

I've managed to sneak a weekend off.  Having explored many parts of Wales, I've never been to Laugharne, home of Dylan Thomas and the village on which he based his poem Under Milkwood, calling the place Llareggub (read it backwards!

The boathouse where he lived for the last four years of his life with wife Caitlin and children is now open during the summer months and has been reinstated to look as it did when he was alive.

A little further along the path is the writing shed where he did his work and again this has been left as it would have looked when he worked there.

And Laugharne itself is pretty too.  You can walk around the foot of one of the many castles in Wales and enjoy the view of the estuary.

 

And if you're going to make a weekend of it, why not try The Cors for dinner.  The old rectory has been transformed into a restaurant, with local specialities such as salt-marsh lamb served in a herb crust on the menu.