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 - 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 - Nardini's Largs, Scotland

It's Bank Holiday weekend, so we're in search of an ice-cream.  This place is in our top 10 of ice-cream parlours, so we had to share should you find yourself near Largs.

A Scottish institution having opened in 1935, Nardini's is packed even when the beach isn't because of its delicious assortment of ice-cream.  With 32 flavours to choose from it's still the main draw of the lovely deco building that houses the cafe and restaurant.

All their ice-cream is prepared on site and you can even see them at work making it.  Single cone; double scoop; sundaes; or the Clyde Coast Extravaganza: 12 scoops of ice-cream with 16 toppings!

And better still it's open til 9 so you can squeeze in more than one visit on a day out!

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.

Truly Scrumptious - Hive Beach Cafe, Burton Bradstock

 

We discovered 'Broadchurch' long before ITV and even more special the Hive Beach Cafe at Burton Bradstock.

Owner Steve Attrill took it on nearly 20 years ago and started with little more than a shed on the beach. It has become an award winning cafe that employs over 50 people during the summer but remains true to his original vision.

He wanted a successful local business where anyone could come and relax and enjoy great food in a wonderful location.

As a parent himself, he wanted it to be family orientated and made sure that children and families were always made welcome.  And as a mother of three young children he has achieved his goal.

And you don't need to feel guilty as you can take a long walk along the beach afterwards!

 

 

Truly Scrumptious - Urban Reef, Bournemouth

The UrbanReef caters for all tastes!  Sorry, couldn’t resist, but it is a bar, café, deli and restaurant after all.  But I love it because it's a great place to relax and watch the rest of the family as they surf or train to be lifeguards.

You can find it at the Overstrand on Boscombe prom and sit out on the sun deck where you can soak up the panoramic views over the stunning Bournemouth Bay and to the Purbecks and beyond.

With the summer refusing to play ball, they’ve been keeping everyone cosy with their open log burning fire.

This photo of Urban Reef is courtesy of TripAdvisor

To check out their menus, take a look at their website.

Truly Scrumptious - Byfords, Holt, Norfolk

A few years ago we were invited to our friends' wedding near Holt and took advantage of it by having a week's holiday there.  We were even luckier to have happened upon a fantastic cottage in the centre of the village (you can see it at the far right of the picture above) because it was literally a stone's throw from Byfords, an amazing deli, coffee shop, restaurant and boutique B&B.  The owners sum it up perfectly when they describe it as a higgedly-piggedly world of pleasure.  It really is.

We felt almost duty bound to make the arduous trip across the road every morning for fresh coffee and croissants, followed by a quick return to stock up on supplies for a hearty picnic.  We had brought our bikes with us (it being pretty flat terrain) but would still be in need of sustenance on our adventures.  They stocked everything and more that you could wish for in a deli, so accurately described as a culinary Aladdin's cave.  Speciality breads, locally sourced; jams, chutneys, olives and cheeses.

After a full day in the saddle, we felt justified in quenching our thirst with a glass of chilled wine, choosing to sit outside and watch the world go by.

We did venture to other places - usually at the recommendation of information provided by Byfords and were never disappointed.  So if you're in the area or fancy a weekend away, do check this place out.

Truly Scrumptious - the Tickled Pig, Wimborne, Dorset

Another weekend and another chance to try somewhere different for coffee.  
Today - the Tickled Pig in Wimborne.  It's a restaurant and cookery school but they're also open in the morning, serving tempting pastries and great tasting coffee. 

It's no more expensive that the Costa around the corner, but you don't have to queue for your coffee and their food is made on the premises. 

There's plenty of seating and a welcoming fire which has probably been lit frequently this year.  We'll be booking a table for dinner soon.