Howe Park Wood Cafe in Milton Keynes

What a shame the lady serving us was so unfriendly and abrupt - it really costs nothing to smile and be pleasant, the lady serving was as unhelpful as possible. We asked for two lattes but only got one and one cappuccino with the younger lady who made them not hiding her annoyance which was aimed at us- we accepted the wrong order as it’s not the worse thing but these two staff members really need some urgent customer care training - I feel they’re in the wrong profession. Won’t be hurrying back - plus the coffees were overpriced as it’s just a hut and not a lovely coffee shop.

The cafe is on the edge of Howe Park Wood (near the Westcroft Centre) and a good place to stop off on your daily exercise, whether walking in the wood, or cycling round the city's redways. There's a socially distanced queueing system (although it wasn't busy), with one window for ordering and another for collecting your drink/snack. An Americano tasted really good (but it was the first coffee shop one I have bought for almost 6 months), although I have always thought they were slightly pricey. There's plenty of open space around the cafe, including a few picnic tables nearby, in which to have your drink.

Bluntly told, ‘Wash your hands‘ as I was entering. Extremely abrupt lady served me with a pan face. It’s a really pleasant, sunny spot and the coffee was fairly good but the lady behind the counter needs to change her attitude!

Our first visit since the new business 'Grounds' took over. Outdoor and take away only at present but good menu and a wide selection of drinks and food. I had a cappuccino and my husband a milkshake, which he said was excellent. We shared a chocolate peanut brownie which was delicious.One minor criticism. It was a chilly August day, and the staff were probably a bit cold with all the open doors but a slightly warmer greeting and service would have been nice. That said, the order was quickly made and good.They also do a range of light meals. Would return when I next walk the dog

£4.60 for a cream tea = a cup of tea with milk added delivered with a dry scone, synthetic jam and a spoon of cream. RIP off. The staff were not interested when politely told the scones were dry. Such a shame. Seems to be all about profit now.

This is a wonderful place to visit with children, dogs or friends. Cakes and snacks reasonable and tasty. Great variety of fresh homemade cakes to choose from. Hard to decide between coffee and walnut, Victoria sandwich, lemon drizzle, gluten free options too, shortbread cookies and scones and more. Then after you can walk it off with a circular walk through wood.

After a nice stroll there is nothing better than a stop here. Great selection and choice and the service is always friendly

After walking our dog in Howe Park we stopped in the café for lunch. There was a good choice of toasted sandwiches, paninis and other snacks. My wife enjoyed her bacon bap and I enjoyed my bacon and Brie sandwich. There was a wide choice of teas and coffees. We sat outside with our dog enjoying the view. We will definitely return to sample the delicious looking cakes.

Ate here on a lovely day and sat outside. Nice food. Staff ok. Nice location and great place for a snack.

Not often that we have breakfast out, but this was a prize. Unfortunately, we were very disappointed. Everything seemed to have come out of the microwave. The one vegi sausage (I was expecting 2) was rock hard and at first I thought it was still frozen, but came to the realisation it had come from the microwave and dried up. Everything on the plate was surprisingly lukewarm. On the plus side, the coffee (I drink black) was delicious, and the toast was nice. The cakes on display looked scrummy, and I think any future visits will be for cake and coffee, definitely not for anything hot.

I found out about this cafe on Facebook. They do a lunchtime deal - sandwich, hot drink and cake for £5, so we decided to try it. It was a little hard to find; the postcode took us into the Westcroft Shopping Centre across the road. The cafe is small, relaxed and cozy. They welcomed our dog inside. The toasted sandwiches were tasty and the cakes homemade. It was excellent value for money and we will definitely go back.

Exercise and then cake !!!Its on the edge of a small wood and the cafe itself is only small .There is a free car park with good space next to it .Its more of a coffee and cake and maybe light lunch than a big expansive cafe .Enjoyable especially on a nice day as 50% of the seating is outside .

Visited last weekend, it’s a busy place which is good. We thought bacon roll was nice however perhaps a little more expensive than thought. 2 rolls mug of tea and a can of coke £10. Didn’t try the cakes as a bit early in the day

Went for a lovely walk in the woods with our two Shetland Sheepdogs, then had a sit down with tea & cake. Was v nice & the staff were friendly. Had a water bowl for the dogs. Only thing was not a very big selection of drinks. Liked that you could choose whether to sit in the shade or sun.

great for a coffee or tea or a sandwich or cake,and lots more,just right after a wander,or just for a chill,friendly staff. ;-)

We went with our dog for a great walk around the wood I thought it was well kept , except for the morons with dogs off leads who think my dog won’t bite YEAH , went the cafe for coffee and sandwich/cake first class service and super food took about 5 mins from order to table , very dog friendly with dogs on leads , nice location nice staff too

We only live nearby but rarely go because the service is generally poor. It's a shame because the cafe is in a lovely location and has such potential. A recent visit resulted in no breakfast because they had run out of bacon and sausages by just gone 10am on a Sunday and we waited to be served while staff chatted / ignored us.

Came yesterday with my dad, my 2yo and my dog. Sat outside in a lovely spot, with a bowl of water for the dog. Cake was lovely and the service very friendly and kind. Just what we needed after getting lost in the woods

Had always planned to visit this place and always put it off! Big mistake! This was a cozy place with outside seating which was very much appreciated on a sunny day. We had a really good iced coffee and a lemon cake! The cake was fresh and actually all cakes looked fresh.

Lovely place for a chat, feels a bit like my church hall used to feel at coffee after Sunday Mass as the seating is very basic and it gets quite loud when everyone is inside but the hot chocolate (delux excuse my waist-line!) was delicious and my cake was very good indeed. Thank you Howe Park Wood Cafe!

Great little cafe. Very friendly and food excellent!! Went for a late breakfast (bacon baps) bacon was plentiful and cooked perfectly, baps fresh. Stayed so long that we then managed cake for an early lunch all home made and absolutely delicious and a great selection. Lots of outdoor seating for good weather and blankets provided if it's a bit chilly. No where else like it in Milton Keynes and such a pleasure. Will be back soon.

The variety and range of cakes here are excellent.

Nice little cafe, noisy screaming kids put me off a bit but the service was good. I met up with a friend I hadn’t seen in years and we sat for hours, never felt in the way. Had sandwiches which were freshly made and mugs of tea. Ideal. Love the fact you can take dogs too. Would be fantastic in the summer as lots of outdoor seating. I would recommend.

Having checked that the cafe was happy to accommodate 12 of us for a group meet up we were disappointed with the poor service and total lack of accuracy with orders. Drinks were brought out one by one and the boy bringing them out did not know who or which table they belonged to. One of our party waited half an hour for a hot chocolate despite asking numerous times, another couple had ordered cake which then ran out because people were not served in order. Total chaos and no one seemed to be in charge.

We visited today as a party of five, with three muddy dogs. We really appreciated the warm welcome, and the delicious cake! It was quite busy and we waited a while for our food, but this is a lovely down-to-earth cafe with friendly staff. The lunch offer (panini, hot drink & cake for £5) was good value. Thanks again for welcoming us, muddy paws and all!

I'm sure this is a super cafe- it looks lovely and the menu fine. However why close at 3pm on a half term afternoon? Disappointed ☹️

We go here regularly as they allow dogs inside. That is the main reason for us to frequent them plus they are very friendly and it's walking distance. It has a lovely wood right on it's doorstep.

Lovely little cafe for coffee and cake, it was very busy but we still had great service. The vanilla and blackberry cake and the bake well Victoria sponge were divine-dogs welcome. I would definitely recommend!

I enjoyed my tea and cake so much that I have booked afternoon tea for all my staff in January!

We have visited here a few times and while it is in a nice setting the food is very mediocre. I had a toasted sandwich which looked like it had been sat on. The cakes are nice but the tea was just a mug. A pot would have been much nicer.

We've driven past on our way to Morrison's which is just across the road from this well-kept secret. It just doesn't seem very well advertised. The café is set within a lovely park with well-kept paths and ponds where children can see a range of wildlife. The café has a good selection of cakes and sandwiches as well as coffee and tea. When we were there on a Saturday it was very busy with families with young children. It would appear that it's also an excellent place for dog-walking. We had hot chocolate and marshmallows and I had coffee and walnut cake which was excellent and we both had sausage rolls which we took home to eat later. Good facilities include a large car-park and clean and pleasant toilets. This is somewhere we intend visiting again and next time we'll bring our little Yorkshire Terrier with us as he's always keen to get out and go for a walk.

Have stopped here for coffee and cakes on a couple of occasions recently. The staff have also been very polite and friendly, the cakes are excellent ( a few more trips required to work may way through the entire range)

We visited this little cafe a couple of times in the last week. The first time was after a walk through the woods and a stop off for coffee and cake. Lovely welcome and lovely cake, ginger and lemon was superb. The 2nd time was for an afternoon tea( which requires booking) we tried to book were but were unable, so we went on the off chance. Again brilliant welcome and the ladies put together a fabulous afternoon tea at short notice. Sandwiches, scones and cake, all washed down with a lovely pot of tea.

After a wet walk around the woodland with my 6 year old and 11 month old sons we popped in for a slice of cake and a drink.

Recommended by friends based nearby, this cafe is like a lot of places in Milton Keynes hidden in the trees! Actually located across the road and deep in the trees opposite Morrisons at the Westcroft Centre. There is a large outside seating area under a roof with views of the nearby pond in the edge of the ancient woods, with frequent visits from Moorhens! The main building also houses a Parks Trust education centre.

A great little cafe with friendly staff good coffee and very tasty homemade cakes. There is room to sit outside in the sun too and enjoy the view of the woods.

I've heard good things about this cafe previously and decided to pay a visit today with the family.

Been here on a few occasions and always been nice . Came with 5 friends for lunch. Just felt like something was missing -hate to moan. It was a sunny day so lovely area to sit. It was not over busy but waited ages for our meal. Once it came food was ok. Staff not over friendly and 2 plates had large chips/marks on and they forgot half our order. Yes would return though as always liked it in the past .

I just love this place. Its near lovely woodland with pond and play area and education room and a perfect place for a little outing finishing with a meal or snack at the cafe. Paths are good through the main part of the woods ( suitable for prams and wheelchairs) and both babies and well behaved dogs are welcome. Prams need to be left outside although you can sit at outside tables if you wish. However its perfectly possible to sit inside and keep an eye on the pram thanks to big windows.

This is a great little cafe. Ideal after a long walk or,just to drop in after shopping at Westcroft opposite. It is tucked away so not obvious from the main road. I was told about it by a friend. I have lived here for years and never knew it exsisted! Wonderful cakes to go with properly made tea. I went there on a Sunday and was served by a very pleasant young lady.

Always fabulous home made cakes available, but we had cream teas today during our walk around Howe Park Woods, to admire the bluebells. Other hot snacks and a good variety of drinks are available. Plenty of indoor and outside seating overlooking the woods. A large car park is close by.

Popped in to this lovely café for lunch after a walk with friend. Ordered a sandwich which was made to order and really, really fresh and pot of tea which was served in teapot and in proper cups! Place was clean, swept and the staff were constantly cleaning and tidying up. Its obviously popular as there were a constant stream of families, dog walkers (you can sit outside and the dogs can rest and have water) and friends coming in for tea and cake which is plentiful, varied and freshly baked. Definitely going to become one on my favourite waterholes.

I've been a regular visitor since it's opening, and have just read through some of the negative reviews. There's always a few 'grumpies' out there. It's not the Ritz, but for a small cafe by the woods, it's excellent. It has home made food/cakes, and I have always found the staff to be super friendly and helpful. If you're unhappy, then say so, they would soon fix it! I've asked for my coffee to be heated up before...just ask, they always accommodate. I love that they are dog friendly, and always have a treat for your dog also.

Wow !!! Loved it. Stroll round lake, excellent cup of tea served in proper cups and saucers and the cakes are more than wonderful

Lovely little cafe in Howe Park Wood. Good friendly service, nice coffee, and really good bacon baps. Even got a free slice of excellent cake!

I popped into this lovely little cafe where lots of people meet up for dog walks and bringing the kids into contact with nature. The cafe has a very chilled atmosphere and the several members of staff serve home made cakes from one counter and hot and cold sandwiches amounts other things from the other side of the cafe. The food is not cheap but very tasty indeed and they have a regular clientele of busy mums and ladies going lunch lol, outside there are tables and chairs for the dog walkers and a very thoughtful bowl or two of water for the dogs. I have been back several times and always feel relaxed and at peace before I get back in my van and rejoin the hussle and bustle of everyday life.

We came here for breakfast on my mums 70th birthday. We pre booked and opted for the afternoon tea breakfast. It was delicious. The staff were friendly and couldn't do enough to help. They made my mum feel really special and even made sure she had cake to take home for her birthday. I will definitely return.

After a walk in the woods this is the perfect end to my morning. Dog friendly, child friendly and great home made Ifood.

I have been here loads of times and I think it's fantastic. The only issue I have is seeing a response from a previous reviewer comment. Openly saying another place is expensive and poorly run is slander, it's also unprofessional. These words would be better said over a telephone conversation rather than on here.

We have been going here for a number of weeks following our Sunday morning walks. 2 coffees and toast will set you back nearly 9 pounds. The patio area outside has been deteriorating and if this has happened over a number of weeks and doesn't get hosed down (dogs lay on this following their walk, and eat treats) it makes you question what the cleanliness is like overall. Cakes come from Costco and they charge more per slice than places that actually make homemade ones.

A cosy cafe at Howe Park Woods. The most delicious home made cakes. Great service too. Lovely location.

We went to parks trust open day. FAB! Pond dipping, bug catching, bird releasing, story telling, guided walks AMAZING!! It was free too!!! The cafe has amazing cake and great coffee perfect pit stop!

Not a bad place to rest your weary feet whilst walking the dog around Howe wood.

I arranged to meet a couple of friends here for a tea and cake catch-up one morning. I'd heard rumours that the cafe was sometimes referred to as "The Grumpy Cook" - but assumed that was just a joke ... it seems it wasn't. One of the staff was very grumpy indeed - the other was quite pleasant but the grumpy one rather spoiled the atmosphere. They do stock an excellent range of teas - and serve them in a pot so we were happy with that - and the cakes were good (if a little restricted in terms of choice). This is a lovely setting and the cafe has the potential to be very good - if they can just get one of their staff to smile a little!

This cafe , attached to the visitors centre at Howe Park Wood , is a boon when you have finished a stroll through the woods on a hot day. If the cafe is busy then great patience is needed as the two staff on our visit had dificulty coping. We only wanted two teas, two pieces of cake and a boxed drink for our grandchild. It took ages for things to arrive. The tea was in paper cups because they had run out of proper cups as they were busy- 14 people were there!. The cake as always was delicious but I do not like tea from paper cups. Service needs to improve please otherwise the costs are too high .

Heard a lot about this little cafe so thought a visit was in order, not disappointed, friendly staff and cakes to die for, super woodland setting too boot.

Howe Park Wood Cafe (which is also sometimes known by the name of the Grumpy Cook) serves cakes, snacks and hot drinks from the Howe Park Wood visitor centre.