I wasn’t sure that it was a good idea to follow up one ‘high tea’ with another the next day. However, we set off this afternoon, in unseasonally cool and rainy weather….sorry I forgot, this is England, it’s June, cold and wet is ‘normal’.

We’d booked a meal for three, but mum wasn’t up to going, so Susie rang and arranged a ‘slate’ for two and we took plates and cling film, so that we could bring Mum’s meal home. The Lions Den Tearoom is just a 10 minute drive from Langley Park. It’s part of the LionMouth Rural Centre, set in seven acres of land, part of which is utilised to grow produce used in the tea rooms. They also provide support to people with mild mental, physical or social difficulties through creative activities, including horticulture.

We parked and walked up a slight bank to the tea rooms, passing cultivated plots of flowers and vegetables. Finding the entrance, we were greeted warmly by the lovely Siobahn (LionMouths first apprentice) who seated us at a table in the charming shabby chic decorated tea room, while she prepared our extensive ‘slate’. It can’t be said that the North of England ‘does’ small portions…

Yes, it was as yummy as it looks…

Quite honestly, were blown away with the whole place. Warm, friendly, chatty and totally unpretentious. Simple food, lovingly prepared. We left an hour later, with two pieces of cake we couldn’t finish and my Mum’s meal, all cling filmed up and popped into our carrier bag by Siobahn, who’s a real asset to Lions Den. It didn’t matter that the weather was bleak and cold, we took the summer sunshine home…