Restaurants

It was chilly on our visit to this inviting hexagonal café at the business end of the park, which precluded a meal at one of the many outdoor tables surrounded by chestnut trees. Indoors, it is bright, clean and busy – expect lengthy queues and marauding children at weekend lunchtimes. Limited space means parents are requested to leave push-chairs outside; irritatingly, many still sneak them in. The menu contains several hearty dishes: perfect for when you’ve scaled the heights of this hilly park. We plumped for scrambled eggs with smoked salmon; the portion was big enough for two, served on generously buttered toast made with thick-sliced proper bread. Mixed bean casserole was warming and tomatoey, but needed some grated cheese or extra herbs to add interest. Sandwiches are prodigiously filled, but cakes were a mixed bunch. We didn’t like the look of the industrial-sized cream scone so chose a nicely flavoured chocolate cake to mask the flavour of the sadly rather indifferent coffee.

Time Out Eating & Drinking Guide 2009