Like a fairy tale cottage, Woods Café is tucked away in the middle of Cardinham Woods. In winter a log fire burns and you can cosy up on the sofas, or bask in sunshine in the garden with its brilliant wooden playground. Lara’s baking is legendary - think salted caramel chocolate cheesecake, banana and Nutella Chelsea buns, Masala spiced flapjacks, cream-filled Victoria sponge, orange and carrot cake, and perfectly gooey brownies - and her cream teas are definitely worth a detour. Scones are freshly baked each morning and served with lashings of clotted cream, a generous helping of jam, and accompanied by a pot of the local brew, Tregothnan tea. All served on pretty vintage crockery. There are Forestry Commission walking and cycling trails in the woods, so when you’ve worked up an appetite try some of their more hearty dishes, with daily specials including tagines, stews, pulled pork, soups and savoury cream teas. Their homemade sausage rolls are pretty special too.

Ellie Michell

Contributor