Hartley Farm Shop and Cafe

Winsley

Bradford on Avon BA15 2JB

01225 864948

www.hartley-farm.co.uk

Parking: Ample

Wheelchair access: To first part of cafe, and canopy-covered section of seating area

Ratings

Food: 7/10

Decor: 5/10

Service: 7/10

Choices: 7/10

TripAdvisor rating: 4

I FELT like going out for Sunday brunch, and did my best to persuade the family that a brisk walk, even if it was a very short one, followed by a satisfying meal, was a great way to spend a Sunday morning.

My efforts failed as far as the healthy exercise part was concerned, though they did agree to accompany me to one of the many cafes or farm shops around the area.

The morning was lovely and sunny even if a bit chilly, making me redouble my efforts to get a walk in too - no joy there. Then one member of the party proved hard to drag out of bed, meaning we set off later than planned, and our first choice establishment turned out to have been invaded by a large group of MAMILs, their cycles lining the fence along the car park ominously.

Finding no room at the inn and the air redolent with smells which warred with the deliciously frying bacon, we moved on and found ourselves at the Hartley Farm Shop and Cafe in Winsley. Well signposted off the main road round the edge of the village, this offers ample dining space, plenty to do for families with a large outdoor play area (OK, so more popular in summer) and the attractions of the farm shop as well.

There are three eating areas, an inside section just off the farm shop, a conservatory type area up some steps with views over the farm and a third section which is presumably open to the fresh air in summer but covered in by large marquee-type clear plastic windows in the colder months.

We settled down with the free papers: our later-than-planned arrival meant they had stopped serving some of the breakfast options, and we were a little too early, and not really ready, for a full Sunday lunch - although these feature a choice of roast meats, all coming from local farms and butchered by the on-site award-winning butchery, and looked delicious.

The staff were so friendly I'm sure they would have served us items labelled Breakfast if we'd asked, but we settled for the straight breakfast from the Sunday brunch section, noting with approval that these are all available with full gluten-free options, including the sausages.

And you can mix and match, adding various options if you want, so we ordered one full traditional breakfast (sausage, two rashers of Sandridge bacon, two free-range eggs, tomato, mushroom, baked beans and a round of toast for £9), with one of us choosing to add black pudding and another opting to lose the tomato and replace it with smushed avocado.

Filter coffee, a regular black coffee and a hot chocolate, which came with a very pretty heart design on top, completed the order.

The food arrived promptly, though the plate size made a substantial feed look a trifle lost. Possibly because the rounds of toast came on a separate (hot) plate, with pats of real butter in a chilled pot, and the baked beans were in their own little pot, so not spreading sauce everywhere. We actually felt these were plus points, not minus ones.

There were no complaints about the food, and creative assembling meant I could enjoy my personal brunch fave of avocado on toast topped with an egg - yum - followed by the more meaty items.

The sausages won particular praise, but next time I will remember to ask for my bacon cooked softer, though crozzled suited the other members of the family.

The only demur was from the hot chocolate drinker, who said it was too milky and didn't really taste of chocolate. Buying those speciality tins of expensive brands at Christmas has clearly set the bar rather higher than before.

Altogether we thought Hartley Farm a fine place and our brunch for three, at £35.80, a not-too-costly outing.

ALISON PHILLIPS