Walk-in Cafe, Hill Farm Barn; Cafe with a Difference

Walk-in Cafe, Northchurch, Ashridge Estate.

Walk-in Cafe

Set in a renovated barn in Northridge Common on the Ashridge Estate close to Berkhamsted, Herts, there's even a couple of portraits of former tenants, the Sparrow Sisters, and a beam or two from the Duke of Bridgewaters Ship supporting the place!

It's situated on the B4506 (New Road) just outside Northchurch, but you'll miss it if you're travelling too quickly on the bend.

Park on the opposite side of the side, and make your way across it (it's a sharp bend so take care, especially if you've got the kids with you)  As a working farm, there's no access for parking inside.

There's a lot to keep the youngsters occupied, with the Summer looming large.  The first thing you see as you come across the road, is a large outdoor area, including guinea pigs, rabbits hiding behind that huge tyre, and a paddock with the tiniest of ponies and their New Zealand pig companions!! Behind there's a tractor just waiting to be explored by children young and old.

Inside the barn itself, there's things to colour if you fancy, and lots to discover about the farming year, together with an assortment of farming tools to explore, even antlers to look at.

The barn has a rustic charm all of its own, including straw bales doubling up as seats.  Teas, coffees, sandwiches, toasties, and even delicious bacon ,locally sourced, rolls are all reasonably priced.  We paid £2.40 for a scrumptious slice of really moist carrot cake, and what's more there's generally a gluten free option available as well.

The loo is at present a Port-a-loo, which might be a problem for mum's with young babies and toddlers to change.

Personally, we loved the place, and since it was a Monday morning and there were also access problems because of road works, the added bonus was we had the place all to ourselves.  The barn has such an expansive feel about it. It was great, sitting and sipping, whilst drinking in the sounds of birds calling all around us.

I shall take the grand children, but equally and quite selfishly hope to spend some quality time there for me maybe earlier on in the week when its quieter.

I feel its important our children and grandchildren develop a healthy respect for  our countryside, and understand the cycles of the year, as well as the food chain; without it of course, we'd be lost.  Supporting this venture is a wonderful way of helping that.

I thoroughly enjoyed our visit, and look forward to going back, and seeing how things grow.

https://www.facebook.com/HillFarmBarn/

Gillian Holland
The Spirit of Adventure May 2017