Coffee at the Tearooms ..... but what's with the gorilla??

In the heart of the countryside lies a lovely café known as Stretton Hall Farm Shop and Tearooms. Located down winding roads that seem to lead to nowhere, this café is a welcome surprise for anyone passing by. It is the ideal location for hikers, especially since it is very dog friendly and has a heater near the farm shop if you have muddy boots and want to stop outside for a drink.

As we approached the main entrance, we were greeted by a reindeer and Santa himself standing outside. Christmas has officially arrived!

Stepping inside, it had a warm and inviting atmosphere. Even though it was quite early in the morning, the place was very busy. It was clear that this was a popular spot among locals and visitors alike.

There was some cute artwork on the window panes. It definitely had a countryside vibe to it.

As we settled into our seats, we noticed the lovely views over the fields. In the warmer months, customers can also enjoy their meals just outside the cafè in the outside seating area, but on this particular day, it was a bit too chilly.

We ordered a black americano, cappaccinos with frothy milk with a rich espresso combo, and a concoction of white pear and ginger, which is a posh tea apparently. Unfortunately, we were disappointed to find that the cappaccinos were only lukewarm. The café staff kindly took back the drinks and returned with piping hot cappuccinos, so all ended well.

Food wise, we settled on vegetarian fry ups. They were a bit expensive but you have to treat yourself sometimes.

After enjoying our breakfast and drinks, we decided to pop into the little farm and gift shop located onsite. The owner seems to be quite an entrepreneur as they also have glamping pods on the land.

We were hoping to find some stocking fillers for Christmas. However, what caught our attention was a statue of a gorilla sitting nearby. It was a bit random and I've no idea why it was there, but it was definitely a talking point. It wasn’t until I was driving off that I noticed the giraffe as well ... Next time I visit, I will have to ask.