IT was late afternoon when we pulled into the car park. There were signs that perhaps the place was about to close. When we entered one of the proprietors said: "Sit right at the end" while the other said: "Sit anywhere".

Before I looked at the menu I spotted a sign which read "Prices subject to change according to customers' attitude". Um...! You never get a second chance to make a first impression!

We had a cousin with us, and quickly decided that we would all drink tea. So far so good. However, it was clear that the only things we could eat were those still in the display cabinet. They looked appetising and it was a struggle to make a decision.

Ann ordered a Wykeham lemon tea (£3.50). This consisted of a single warmed scone, a pot of lemon curd and one of clotted cream. This proved to be a winner with enough clotted cream to share. She also had a square of home-baked Florentine.

I selected a fruit scone with butter. The scone was warm and quite light. By mistake I too ordered Florentine, denying us the chance to try some of the other offerings. There was lemon cake and carrot cakes to name but two.

Our cousin was less fortunate in her choice. Sadly, her fruit scone had not been warmed and was far from light. I know because she passed half of it over to me. But we were intrigued by her choice of tray bake. The squillionair was a combination of biscuit, toffee, chocolate with an icing decoration. This was shared, and was liked by all, but deemed to be too rich for regular consumption.

The menu included the normal range of items to be found in the county's tearooms. Soup of the day was billed as tomato, celery and apple. This sounded an interesting combination. Another item that caught our eye was Wykeham Rarebit - smoked applewood cheese, topped with crisp bacon and salad garnish.

The menu stated that "you may have to wait as everything is freshly prepared and we are not getting any younger." At least customers are warned.

The tearoom, which is on the A170 at the east end of the village, also sports a gift shop of rather twee items. There was an impressive display of preserves. Because it was clear the proprietors were keen to close up we did not linger.

The bill came to £14.50. Was this price based on the attitude of the customers? This review is certainly based on the attitude of the management.

Updated: 11:11 Saturday, July 03, 2004