PERCHED above the park this caf is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11am to 3pm. There is an option to sit inside or, as we did, on the veranda.

Sheltered from the wind, our table overlooked the renovated 'lake' and active dovecote. An aggressive Canada goose supervised its goslings while ducks enjoyed bread offered by a child. All this under a magnificent canopy of horse chestnuts in full bloom.

The menu is limited but the food is prepared to order.

Ann went to the servery. Beans on toast (£1.45) for her with the addition of mushrooms (40p) and tomato (20p). Establishing that there was either fresh or tinned tomato, Ann went for the former.

Bringing with her mugs of tea, we waited about 15 minutes for the food to arrive.

My choice was a half breakfast (£2.65). This consisted of an egg, bacon, sausage, tinned tomato, baked beans and a slice of fried bread. Don't know what this did to my cholesterol level but it certainly cured my hunger. The mug of tea was included in the price.

Realising that eating outside the food might quickly get cold, we were grateful for the small sized plates which kept the adequate helping of food together helping to retain the heat.

Feeling that it was a long time since she had drunk such enjoyable tea, Ann went in search of another mug. She returned with some sponge cake (65p) and a piece of date and ginger slice (70p). Sharing these we agreed that there was no doubt they were home-made and jolly good too.

Everything is reasonably priced. Tea (65p), coffee (75p) and hot chocolate (90p) will complement hot or cold sandwiches and vegetarian items.

Understandably at weekends the caf is busy, but midweek demand did not appear to be excessive.

So for an all-in cost of £7.35, two satisfied customers left noting that there was good wheelchair access.

Updated: 09:47 Saturday, May 17, 2003