Author: footloose

Homemade and home baked at The Nest where you can treat yourself to some of the best cakes, pastries and brownies in the south of England

A small family run cafe tucked away in a quite area of Sittingbourne in Kent offering simple homemade food and good coffee.

Well supported by the locals they regularly host craft fairs and activities, with awell deserved reputation for their afternoon teas.

It’s always the same. The most interesting tea rooms, cake and coffee shops are the most difficult to find. But well worth the the time it takes.

Little possets, black currant & lemon, fresh raspberries & shortbread fingers and edible flowers found at Mes Amis Beckington in Somerset. A family run, independent café and deli.

Offering breakfasts, lunches and an eclectic display of cakes, creams and sticky stuff.

All accompanied by selection of premium quality teas, coffees or wines.

All the food is freshly made and can be prepared to take away. They also offer a Saturday Night takeaway meal, a weekend BBQ pack and picnic boxes.

In Eastbourne afteroon tea at The Grand Hotel is a local institution.

There are different themes throughout the year including the tennis in June.

Known as ‘The White Palace’, the Grand Hotel is one of Englands most famous Victorian era Hotels offering spectacular views out to sea and the cliffs at Beachy Head.

Tea is served in the Great Hall a stately double-height lounge complete with a grand piano, potted palms and a roaring log fire for when it is a bit colder. It can also be ordered in any of the lounges as well as on the Chatsworth Terrace overlooking the pool.

Spoilt with a choice from a menu which includes a selection of freshly made cakes, bakes and traditional pastries

Sweet and savoury treats. A Pork & Apple Sausage Roll with ‘Grand’ Piccalilli. Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese & Chive sandwiches, Egg Mayonnaise with Watercress, Chicken & Tarragon Mayonnaise or Cucumber with Cream cheese.

Or for something sweeter, their freshly baked Freshly Baked Scones with Strawberry Jam & Cornish Clotted Cream

The walled garden at Cafe Paradiso at the end of North St in Chichester

is the perfect setting for a slice of their extra special chocolate cake.

Being Chichesters first original and strictly vegetarian restaurant everything is home baked and delicious.

If not the cake, their chocolate and orange muffins or warm blueberry scones served with butter are just as good.

The menu offers an interesting range of herbal and fruit teas

As well as being vegan friendly and catering for celiac, dairy and nut alergies

The last place I ever expected to find carrot cake was in a pub

But there it was. What could easily be the best carrot cake in Chichester. As you come through the door and into the Woodmancote Pub. Nestled up next to the pork scratchings. Looking just like it belonged right there, beneath an array of wine bottles.

But then they do most things differently. Almost verging on the bizarre.

Good food and hospitality that is slightly more expensive without being too offensive. I like different.

Try some of the best home baked cakes in Midhurst and the South Downs

Found in Hill House on Rumbolds Hill the homemade soups, savoury tarts, scones and biscuits are just as good.

Tilly’s of Midhurst is a small family run tea room where they always add a little extra to what they do.

Hot cheese scones with melted butter

A good excuse to do a mid-morning coffee at the Driftwood Cafe in Emsworth.

Or a croissant with blackcurrent jam. It’s one of the nicer cafes I have found.

Situated on the High St in Emsworth they offer a breakfast morning menu and a light lunch menu from late morning. But it gets very busy at midday and I try to avoid the rush.

A four layer chocolate fudge cake

Part of an artful display of cakes, chocolate and lashings of cream that is difficult to ignore.

These cakes at the Riviera Cafe in Selsey are big, bold and totally decadent