Based on 1.004 opinions finded in 2 websites
Based on 1.004 opinions finded in 2 websites
Opinions
Fantastic quaint little place! Excellent food
catherine harford . 2024-04-14
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This place had the most amazing cakes! Worth a trip just for that and you get so sit on the old platform next to an old train. Very quaint. Great on a sunny afternoon.
debbie everett . 2024-04-13
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Lovely coffee and you won't go hungry with the cake portions 😁😋
Nigel Capon . 2024-04-01
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The clocks spring forward, you had a late Saturday night with friends and you wake up Sunday morning with an hours less sleep & an expectant 10 year old staring at you causing you to jump. It’s Easter, rather than a chocolate egg, can we go on a bike ride he says? Chocolate egg, breakfast & bikes out the shed before setting off with the dog in tow towards the flitch way. We join the flitch footpath at Braintree train station, opting to cycle approximately 1.2 miles of the 15 miles available. We firstly cycle to the nearby bmx track and upon spending 30 or so minutes pumping the track we decided to visit the Booking Hall Cafe. I remember years ago watching the train carriage being lifted in to position and I’m not really sure why we don’t visit more often? Rayne is a really nice village with that neighbourly vibe to it. The carriage being in situ and now filled with tables gives that unique feel and makes even just stopping to have a coffee as you walk by an experience. The staff upon our visit were very young and clearly helping out for the Easter break. I know what you are thinking, young kids with food, phones in hand and ignoring the customer, errrr no, not here. In actual fact the staff made eye contact, they spoke by both using and moving their mouths, they were polite, extremely welcoming and knowledgable of the menu options. My son and I ate a bacon door stop sandwich and washed it down with a can of drink. It’s a nice feeling spending time with your kids, especially in unique places that hopefully will as time progresses become somewhere they also stop by and remember having spent that time with you. I love it and sharing that moment with Ted this morning at 18:30 in the evening whilst writing this still has that smiley feeling. The prices here are not expensive and the portion size is huge, I was so taken back by this I only took a photo of half the sandwich as me being greedy got the better of me. The bread was soft and fluffy, the bacon warm and not fatty and the service was very quick. When I retuned my plate I was tempted by a slice of one of the cakes on offer but we declined before heading home however we will be back. Their was water on offer for the dog (Woody) I imagine it gets really busy here, especially as the weather hopefully improves. I feel like I’ve stepped back in time, The service = excellent. The quality of food = excellent. The menu options = excellent. The staff = excellent. The portion size = excellent. There was lots of seating, inclusive of a small kiddie seating area. I cannot recommend enough, best Easter ever.
seanrc27 . 2024-03-31
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Although it was a stormy day we sat under the canopy and enjoyed our toasted cheese, avocado on toast and coffee - lovely quality ingredients ie Monmough coffee Pleasant staff, even brought the food out with a cover to keep warm! Great value
Helena Butcher . 2024-03-29
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Excellent cakes with vegan and gluten free options. Snack meals too but no indoor seating, a disadvantage in cooler or wetter weather. They have a sister cafe 3 miles away on main road with indoor seating.
Mark Smedley . 2024-03-24
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Served by a rude woman. Been visiting for years & like to buy takeaway coffees on mine & husband's walk quite often. On my last visit, Saturday 17/02/24, I ordered 2 coffee's & slice of cake. Was served by a lovely young lady who took my order, no issues. One of the coffees was served by a different older/ middle-aged woman with short hair. I mentioned to her "thanks, just waiting for another coffee" and she responsed with "yea, well we need to make it first before giving it to you darling" & then proceeded to look through me to take the next customers order, dismissing me completely. How. Rude. I think I will be bringing my own filtered coffee from home from now. Thank you for the past few years
Zilif Oid . 2024-02-22
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What a joy this cafe is fab location and the bestest doorstop sandwich!
Annie Suzie . 2024-02-16
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It's great for a Sunday morning coffee and walk with the dogs. It does get really busy, so expect a wait for food and drinks, or get there early
Donna Ebbs . 2024-02-06
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Was served a barley warm sausage sandwich. Won't be visiting again.
Sue Sullivan . 2024-01-28
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Very nice place to go quite and nice to relax at mine you may be a lot busy in the summer
Garry “MadMack” McGeorge . 2023-12-31
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Stumbled across this lovely cafe serving drinks and lots of lovely cakes and treats, friendly staff, highly recommended and will be visiting again soon with family and friends.
Harry Berry . 2023-12-13
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For my daughter’s birthday she had a few friends around for afternoon tea. The sandwiches were lovely and fresh as well as all the other goodies provided. The Booking Hall Cafe even provided a gluten free option which we very much appreciated. Would definitely recommend to friends and family.
Janice Dyer . 2023-11-24
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Great service and food. Always very friendly staff and such a great addition to the village. Couldn’t recommend enough!
Enchanted Parties . 2023-10-28
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A group of us cycled here and had hot drinks and some food, we sat at one of the tables on the old track bed. The service was friendly and quick, we will be going back sometime.
Dave Laker . 2023-10-23
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Stopped here after walking along the flitch way. Great selection of cakes and had a nice coffee. Great set up using old booking hall./platform.
Ellis F . 2023-10-15
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First time, sunny warm day and a little busy but what a nice place to have snack. But don't choose the carpark as a navigation point. Cyclist use this to park then go on cycling trip along this old train line route. I'd choose the road just south of the cafe only a minute walk to the cafe. We'll worth a visit.
Kevin . 2023-10-09
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Enjoyed my first visit today, greeted and served by friendly staff and found the food to be fresh and of a high standard. All in all a pleasant experience and would not hesitate to return. Thank you 😊
Sarah Bradbeer . 2023-10-06
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Excellent cafe on the Flitch way, brilliant food and lovely area
michael urry . 2023-09-28
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Have been coming here for several years on & off. Food prices might initially seem a bit steep but trust me, you get what you pay for & it's well worth it! The clucking club is beautiful every time without fail 👌 Staff have always been friendly/polite even when it's very busy. Outside seating only now but it's covered for various weather conditions. A lovely pit stop on your journey along the Flitch Way, even if it's just to stop for a drink or a gorgeous home made cake.
Culture45810393923 . 2023-09-26
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Been coming frequently to this place for a couple of years now. Every meal ive ever ordered has been brillient. Staff are always very proffesional and pleasant. I Always order the clucking club which words can not do justice. Possibly the best thing between two peices of bread. Lovley place and atmosphere. 10/10
johnjS6318XT . 2023-09-26
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Sitting at a table on the platform outside the beautiful old Rayne station building, overlooking a carriage from bygone days. What a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. The café offers a decent menu, with drinks and cakes too.
David Wickham . 2023-09-19
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Disappointing. Food was Ok but I really cannot understand why my friends suggested here
Barry Turner . 2023-09-05
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Fabulous food, reasonable prices.
Phil Walsh . 2023-09-03
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Friendly staff, and lovely doorstop sandwiches. Gorgeous choice of cakes. Ideal for a long walk with dogs. Seating is all outside but there is cover should it rain. If you fancy a change then do try here. You will not walk away hungry.
Donna Moakes . 2023-09-01
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Heard good things about this cafe so whilst camping nearby we visited here on Sunday 27th August. We both ordered a sausage sandwich on doorstep bread and a coffee. I was really looking forward to it. But unfortunately it wasn’t nearly as good as i expected. The bread was indeed thick but this didn’t add anything to the overall sandwich. The sausages were ok but like warm. The very least you’d expect in a sausage sandwich is freshly cooked hot sausages. Not a lot to expect!!! I left half the luke warm sandwich and most of the bread. Such a shame such a simple thing could be so hard to make. A bit more effort and this sandwich could have been amazing. The coffee was also a disappointment. It tasted more like an instant cappuccino from a packet. So much foam and not much drink. Overall not a great experience. Although the train and station element was really nice. Hopefully from this review they can start to turn out hot food instead of warm.
Paula Oakley . 2023-08-28
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Nice location. On a good day it's probably really good. However, bacon that was once crispy and now allowed to cool had acquired the consistency of chewy cardboard, slow slow service and kitchen staff with frighteningly long nails to add to the list of hygiene violations visible at the window when ordering. Would be nice if the tables were clean. ***UPDATED one year on: still filthy from the filthy uncleared tables alive with wasps, to the grubby cutlery to the greasy smudges on plates, thumbs in cake slice because the plates aren't big enough, it's just a dirty operation. Very very slow service allows you time to contemplate the hygiene.
Alex K . 2023-08-22
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Love it here, well worth a visit, the bacon sandwiches and cakes are amazing! Well worth a visit if you are on a walk down the flitch!
Sarah Kennedy . 2023-08-20
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Been many times although, unfortunately, our food had been missed last time we went - after asking, they quickly made it up in a takeaway box as we were then leaving. Lovely, friendly staff. A++
Laura Day . 2023-08-07
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Tasty food and great service! Always something new on the menu!
LJ Culham . 2023-08-01
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Brilliant place to stop and have a coffee and snack. Lovely staff and such a pretty setting
Von Vonny . 2023-07-26
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Great wee place, sitting outdoors, friendly staff and very generous portions. The salt beef sandwich a firm favourite
Gerry Mc Straw . 2023-07-20
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what a beautiful place to stop and have a coffee and cake after a lovely walk
Lucy De'ath . 2023-07-17
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Just a very unique place to stop and have a chat and a coffee with some cakes
Carlos Sanchez Dorante . 2023-07-13
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Absolutely love this place, and such a little gem. More tables have been added since last year, so there is much more space to sit down and soak up the unique space and enjoy the delicious food. We came for lunch this weekend, and the food was so good. I had the special - bbq pulled pork and double mozzarella toastie, on doorstop bread with burnt ends. It knocked my socks off! The meat was tender and delicious, full of flavour, and the bread was toasted to perfection. This was followed up with a fresh, homemade peach iced tea, and a selection of cakes - we went for a rainbow cake, chocolate orange loaf, passionfruit and mango cake and a caramel shortbread. All of which went down an absolute treat with the family. This might be a small venue, but the food options and quality are spot on, and the owners really squeeze the best out of this opportunity. The staff are lovely too, and they even asked if we wanted standard bread for my little ones cheese on toast. Always going over and above. Thank you for a beautiful meal and perfect afternoon!
Sarah Sinclair . 2023-07-10
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Great place for a break when using the Flitch Way
Robert Tongue . 2023-07-10
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Nice walk from town and a nice watering hole.
Chris Twin . 2023-07-05
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Lovely spot and the staff were really friendly but my smashed avocado on horrible cheap white bread was truly tasteless with zero seasoning. A shame and I will try again because it was so friendly.
Mas Tiff . 2023-07-05
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Charming premises, lovely staff, delicious food and drinks
Vivienne Loraine . 2023-06-22
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Lovely little cafe cake was delicious 😋
Karen W . 2023-06-17
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Interesting place with differing customers
Mick Merrick . 2023-06-15
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Nice food, reasonably priced, and friendly staff. A nice relaxing place to eat
David Sim (Dave) . 2023-06-15
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Worst cup of coffee I’ve ever had the misfortune to encounter. Basically boiling water with frothy milk, possibly with a dash of coffee, could not drink it and would have taken them back had it not been for the queue. I’ll take a flask with me in future, really disappointing and not cheap so total waste of money. Won’t make the mistake of stopping here again.
Mark F . 2023-06-06
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A lovely walk down the flitch way is only ever made better with a stop at booking hall cafe. Always friendly and food and coffees are always delicious
Mike Smith . 2023-06-06
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Great staff, excellent food, lovely location. No complaints from me.
Matt Ewing . 2023-06-01
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Twice we have come here now lunchtime and evening, and twice the train has been shut.
Sherrie Brewster . 2023-05-27
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Love this place for a walk along the flitch way and cuppa afterwards
Samantha Louise . 2023-05-21
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Fantastic food, friendly staff, lots of seating available
Zoe Carter . 2023-05-20
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This very popular cafe is all outdoor, with a canvas covered area at one end of a sunny platform, and some benches on the rail level. There is a very good off road cycle way running past. No menus at all outside on our visit, just one on the counter so I enclose a photo of it. The cakes are lovely, as are the staff. Very good value menus. There is a disabled unisex toilet on the platform. The downsides for me were; hot drinks are in paper cups ( no good size pot of tea), the benches outside are filthy and look like they are never cleaned, and the service is slow and shambolic. This may possibly be on a weekend only, with inexperienced staff working. But on a sunny day, if you are not in a rush, this café is well worth a try.
Colin S . 2023-05-20
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We often eat at both the Booking Hall Cafe and Cafe Plaza, which are also both highly recommended. This weekend we had an afternoon tea catered for 18 people. I can't thank Josh and Grace enough! The food selection was top quality and more than plenty to go round ( most people took some home). Everybody commented on how delicious it was! Easy to book and customise for our personal requirements, also supplied GF options. Delivered in good time and very well presented. Will definitely be using their catering service again! Many thanks!
Angela Jarvis . 2023-05-18
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Would recommend, very nice sandwiches. Nice place to go for lunch.
Ryan Fox . 2023-05-15
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Always love visiting for a nice chat and a lovely coffee while walking my dog.
Adam Hughes . 2023-05-12
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This is always a good place to stop on a bike ride for a drink and a cake. I like the fact it's an old disused railway station as this gives it a unique character. There are tables both under cover and in the open to choose from depending on the weather. The staff are always friendly and helpful. The only reason it's not a 5 star from me is that compared to other cafes we use I feel the cake choice here is a bit more limited.
Ian Collin . 2023-05-02
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I had quite possibly the best sandwich (their version of a club sandwich) I've eaten in the past 12-18 months from here. Served by a charming and lovely lady
Mike Stone . 2023-05-01
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Really good food, I had the sweet sausage and the cheese on toast. Large portion size and great quality. Nice staff too, although queue was 30 minutes and food another 20 which was disappointing as this is a good meeting point for a long walk/cycle so do not expect a quick bite to eat.
Harry Barnes . 2023-04-30
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If you are in the area stop by, great meeting place with nice walks in all directions. Food and drink very well done. Thank you.
Gareth Phillips . 2023-04-29
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Good quality food, however service is slow and seating is limited. There's a small covered area for rainy days (not fully covered so likely to still get wet) and they have the coach, although I haven't been in there.
Michelle Fox . 2023-04-28
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I do like it here - service is slow, but location is fab
Rob Miller . 2023-04-24
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Hidden gem. Friendly staff and excellent cakes. The food looked amazing too.
Sara Mitchell . 2023-04-18
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Great place to stop off from a bike ride or dog walking for a cup of tea and cake!
Ty Hurley . 2023-04-11
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Do not just walk past. Stop and have a cuppa and a slice of 🍰. Beautiful place to just watch the world go by.
Phil Braz . 2023-04-09
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I've used Booking Hall café several times. There can be a bit of a queue at peak times, but it's worth it! Terrific café for cake (very generous portions) and delicious coffee. Multiple cake and cookie options, plus sausage rolls. Super friendly staff. Good value. Plenty of seating space.
Marcus Frost . 2023-04-09
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Fantastic huge doorstep fresh bread, thick cut bacon sandwich, bloody great coffee, fantastic service. Would recommend 100%
Bianca Garcia . 2023-04-06
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It's a busy little place, but it's worth the wait as the cakes are gorgeous. We did not have a sandwich, but we saw some go past and they looked hearty door stops. Was lovely and relaxing sitting in the sun ☀
Richard Bishop . 2023-04-03
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Your coffee used to be the tastiest around but not any more, are you using a different coffee? I have been back twice now and still it doesn't have the depth of flavour it once had, disappointing.
Jayne G . 2023-03-30
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I always stop to buy food and drinks here at the end of my dog walk along the Flitch Way. Sadly they only serve 'doorstop' bread which I can't stand so the beans on toast and bacon sandwiches are out for me. I like their paninis though, vegan option too. Loads of cakes on offer including gluten free. However service is incredibly slow and normally I am waiting in the queue for around 10 minutes
carol bell . 2023-03-30
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Great coffee, amazing food, friendly staff, can get very busy !
christine . 2023-03-29
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Lovely sandwiches great coffee ☕️
Steve Watson . 2023-03-25
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Great food lovely staff, a real gem
Paul Williams . 2023-03-10
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I absolutely love this place, I have been coming for over 9 years, could sit there all day. The whole team are amazing, huge shout outs to J&G 🫶🏼
Ellie Stone . 2023-03-09
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We live about a mile and a half away from here and love just strolling up for a coffee or a bite to eat. The food is very nice and the homemade cake is a must try . It is situated in the old train station building in Rayne. There are railway carriages to explore and lots of facts about the history of the station. You can walk in both directions along the old railway line . One way takes you into Braintree and the other is about 13 miles to Bishops Stortford. Perfect for a long hike or bike ride.
andrewfU264ME . 2023-03-07
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Great stop off along the flitch way. Home cooked food is always delicious! Very popular and you may need to queue! Welcome break stop though!
Stuart Norgett . 2023-02-26
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Quite expensive for what you get. I ordered avocado on toast but when it arrived unfortunately the avocado was thinly spread like butter.
Jenny Laidlaw-Butterfield . 2023-02-13
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Great idea, cafe in the booking hall, tables and chairs under a cannopy on the old platform was great, food and drinks also great.
Nick Thorp . 2023-02-09
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Nice little place for a coffee! Light lunch is also good!
Chris Ammon . 2023-02-06
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I've visited the Booking Hall many times and always had a nice sandwich, coffee or cake. They're very family and dog friendly. Staff are always friendly, can't fault it. I hope they continue doing what they're doing because it's great.
Tourist07560380735 . 2023-02-05
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They sold me a cup of tea when they were closing. Nice place.
Gf Wray . 2023-01-29
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Had an amazing afternoon tea delivered this morning, the scones were huge and so delicious. The white chocolate ganache pot - wow!
sophie yeulett . 2023-01-21
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The best sandwiches anywhere. Friendly staff and a nice place to have lunch.
James Lyddall . 2023-01-14
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Best toasted Sausage Sandwhich 😋
Rene' Batsford . 2022-12-14
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Vegan cookies and cream cake was one of the best pieces of cake I have ever had!!
Lily Brown . 2022-12-10
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No indoors seating, extremely cold day (2 degrees) outside seating area appears to be a stack of chairs and tables - no heat lamps, nothing - but i could borrow a blanket. 😒 reason: ‘covid’ where the entire indoors seating area was turned into a kitchen. British hospitality strikes again. All the posh hot chocolate and salted caramel bites won’t change my opinion now.
neil cooper . 2022-12-09
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A great place to stop for a treat when walking along the old railway line ("Flitch Way"). The staff are friendly and the food is delicious. The pecan traybake was a highlight, with the addition of sea salt on top it was so moreish!
J S . 2022-12-09
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A bit chilly to eat outside but we wrapped up warm to eat cake (such a large slice I couldn't eat it all) With the background of train carriage and station it was a lovely elevenses and very popular. - a steady stream of walkers and cyclists queuing for their treat.
B Gray . 2022-12-03
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We went here on a rainy autumn morning, it was fairly busy with limited seating (because of the rain). The lady who made our drinks was lovely as was the lady who brought our food over. We had the salt beef reuben and a salted caramel latte. The reuben was really tasty and I think on a sunnier dryer day it would have felt like we could sit and relax a bit more. It was lovely though! Would recommend!
Chalemilywoo1 . 2022-11-30
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A great place to relax after a walk along the flitch way
Stevepipster Adams . 2022-11-22
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Fantastic find after a cold morning of horse riding lessons near by, found this little gem with best sandwiches I think I’ve ever had! And the lady that served us was wonderful, interacting with my daughters also! Wonderful place 💓
louise hennessey . 2022-11-20
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A unique and interesting venue; an old railway station with railway carriage. Decent food selection and good quality food. Reasonably priced. I have only given four stars due to the carriage being closed for seating and we had to sit outside in the cold. No heating provided.
Kyri Soupashis . 2022-11-12
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I love this gem of a place, you can enjoy great coffee and great food while sat in a classic train carriage. Highly recommended.
Darren Staples . 2022-11-10
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Always good value for money and polite staff.
Richard Roberts . 2022-11-06
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Lovely place for a bit of lunch or coffee stop
Andy Pegrum . 2022-11-01
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Variety and the quality of the food all good, lovely friendly staff. Perfect when it’s shiny and sunny. Love being there.
Tugba Kavasoglu . 2022-10-28
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A hidden gem of the converted disused Rayne railway station, which ran from Braintree to Bishop Stortford, now a walking route. Found this place by fortunate accident (Sat nav took me via a scenic route for a job) & thought wow, must go there one day. …less than a week my friend & I did! Tasty Sandwiches & cakes will tempt any appetite! Takeaway only, but there is a Gazebo with lots of tables & chairs, toilets & car park. Was made very welcome by all the staff, fantastic service. A must visit if in the area, especially after shopping at Freeport down the road. Thanks Ladies, see you again soon 👏
Nick Engleman . 2022-10-24
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A little pricey but a nice place for a treat.
Janice Willis . 2022-10-23
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Great food and drink, friendly people and great value.
P Brooka . 2022-10-22
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Very nice food. Fresh and tasty. Coffee was good also.
Perry Heath . 2022-10-13
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Great food served by lovely staff.
dawn simmons . 2022-09-30
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Informal cafe. Chaotic service but really tasty food. Definitely a good place for groups and dog friendly
Nancy Baynes . 2022-09-20
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Great place for cake and tea, nice walk along the flitch with the dog, staff very friendly
Chris Watts . 2022-09-20
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Fabulous. Great gluten free options and lovely coffee. Lovely stop along the flitch. The family loves it. Staff are very welcoming.
dave warner . 2022-09-20
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331 Opinions
Lovely Sunday pub dinner. Stumbled across this place as one of the very few open for food past 4pm on a Sunday and very glad we did! Lovely food, good portions (couldn’t finish dessert!) and Jack the
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If I could give 0stars I would. Immediately entered and came to the bar as one of my friends went to find the loo. Within seconds of entering, I was confronted to ask what we wanted and informed them
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