The Woodyard Coffee Shop in Central Bedfordshire

I love this place. It’s deep in the grounds of Luton Hoo but it’s easy to find and parking is not a problem. I meet a friend here every Tuesday for breakfast, the food is excellent and is at a reasonable price.

Took my wife to The Woodyard today for an impromptu coffee & a bite to eat. Things have changed since we last visited; now there are many more tables & chairs, obviously to cater for more customers, but the replacement furniture is lightweight, plasticky & a bit feeble. Somehow the atmosphere has suffered too, which is a shame, as this was always a terrific little hideaway café. Then there was the attitude of the girl slouching across the counter – not even a thank-you as I ordered & paid, but at least this surliness wasn't reserved for me alone, as I overheard another lady being treated to a grumpy & pointed attitude as she ordered. To the girl in question, I would say this: if you don't like working with the public, get a job elsewhere that isn't customer facing. It's tough, but you can't go through life thinking the world owes you a living – it doesn’t. Working in the hospitality industry means you need to adopt a smile most of the time, especially when you're dealing with people paying you for a service, and ultimately paying your wages. It's a real shame that it's changed like this, because café culture is largely about the atmosphere that people experience when they visit these places. On a brighter note, the menu looked really good – the cakes were excellent and my sausage bap was very enjoyable, brought to our table by a different girl who was much happier doing the customer-facing stuff, so it wasn't a complete let-down. However, I doubt we'll be back for a while...

Really accommodating staff rearranging seating for different sizes groups. Simple but tasty fare, e.g. Southern fried chicken burgers and a good selection of cakes, in a wooden building.

I wouldn't go again , we were served breakfast with burnt toast which I think is unacceptable. We also got charged £6.95 for beans on toast as a kids meal which I think is extortionate. Really disappointed as e had heard some really positive things about this place.

We visited late morning on a Wednesday and were surprised how busy it was. We ordered the the meatball baguette and chicken shwarma flatbread which were fresh made and presented well. I must admit, I did have one eye on the homemade sausage rolls and scones which looked amazing. We were served by a young lad who was really informative with the menu and attentive to our needs. The prices were reasonable and service excellent, we will definitely be back again to try the sausage roll and scones.

Great food and a comfortable environment our second vist will go again for our regular meet ups —————

I visit the Woodyard coffee shop regularly and it’s always a lovely experience. The coffee and cakes are delicious and the hot food is always spot on too. We recently had the homemade vegetable soup which was amazing and tasted very fresh. Lovely relaxed placed with friendly staff, we sat by the open fire which made us feel very festive this time of year! I would recommend this place to anyone.

I visited with family and my baby here for lunch and a cup of coffee. The drive up to the cafe is lovely, beautiful scenery of the countryside, then the coffee shop itself is very warm and welcoming and so were the ladies serving us, my family and I thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon there. I ordered the fried buttermilk chicken waffles with bacon and maple syrup, and wow it was amazing! The portions are really big, which is great. My grandma had the scampi and chips and was very happy with her meal and my grandad had the small breakfast and even though it was small, there was so much on his plate! The coffee here is also delicious, I couldn't fault this place. There was even a high chair for my baby, who also enjoyed saying hello to the horses outside! I would definitely recommend The Woodyard Coffee Shop to anyone!

We popped into the woodyard this morning for brunch. We go regularly but today. My husband had chicken and bacon on homemade waffles at £10.50. I am astounded the lady who brought the food out found it acceptable to serve it to anyone. The bacon was black and thenchicken was not far off. The ladies behind us was going to order food. See this and said rather loudly I dont think I will bother looking at that food. He eat what he could, I told him to send it back and he didnt want to make a scene. I wish he had. My scrambled egg was cold. So who ever is in the kitchen needs to be taught how to manage a kitchen. At rhe moment I don't think we will return if they think that is acceptable.

My husband and I stopped by for some lunch having previously enjoyed coffee and cake at the Woodyard Coffee Shop. We ordered two hot options with chips. The chips were reheqted and most were not warm and pretty limp! The paninis were also on the cool side and not warmed through sufficiently to melt the cheese. I would visit again but only for cake and coffee which they do well. They could make much more of the interior of the coffee shop - it is a bit of an upmarket greasy spoon but has the potential to be much more.

Read a review in the local paper so we decided to pay a visit. We thought it was great - a pleasant ‘ country feel ‘ and yet so near. If you are looking for a Starbucks/Costa experience then this is not the place for you ! A very relaxing and casual experience with a nice range of food and cake choices with the added bonus of a pleasant wooded area in which to walk. A very pleasant change from the usual in-town options.

Having read a recent write up in the local paper we decided to re visit this cafe. It suggested it was newly opened and having visited the old cafe here “The Gun Lidge” a few times decided a newly refreshed cafe is just what was needed at this location. What a disappointment. Hodgepodge tables, poor lighting and no atmosphere. The couple taking orders were sitting at a table on their devices like customers and it was only the hello on entering that told me otherwise. 2 cups of tea were delivered with the tea bags in and a small quantity of milk, we had to ask for more. We ordered cheese and tomatoes toasties at £4.50 each and that’s exactly what we got, no garnish, no crisps. A shop sliced loaf cut in 2. Certainly not what I’d pay to have out. We won’t be revisiting. Considering they are off the beaten track more effort required all round if they wish to bring customers in. Our food could not have been more uninspiring !!

We went here for lunch. It had a lovely relaxed feel. Unusual selection of menu options in that there wasn’t a particular theme- but it suited us all. Spaghetti and meatballs for my daughter, sausage and mash for my husband and bacon bap for myself. Would definitely visit again.

Popped in as we where passing, what a lovely cafe, good coffee and quality snacks, a very friendly lady serving as well. Thoroughly recommend.

Came here for some lunch with my better half. We both had the the full English and it was really nice. Good quality ingredients and reasonably priced. We was going to have some cake but we over heard the waitress say they were frozen as they had some left in the freezer. Didnt really fancy thawed out cake even though it looked ok. Will definitely return again.

My Son and I had an all day breakfast here.We had poached eggs instead of fried and my son said they were perfect and he would know as he is a chef! Friendly staff,great food and we will definitely return . We also took a...

Perfect little coffee shop/breakfast spot. A little tricky to find but gorgeous once you get there! Breakfast baps are spot on!!!!

We walked here this morning from the other end of Harpenden only to find it closed - this was in spite of checking on the internet which stated it was open and would stay open until 4p.m. To add insult to injury, the 'Sorry, closed'...

Had some excellent cake and pleasant drinks at this café in what was the shooting lodge. We sat in the huge leather sofas and could have easily stayed for quite a while. Whilst the café does have its own parking, we parked by Luton Hoo's...

Home made cranberry biscuits and coffee before our Spa day-a perfect start to the day. The staff , new tables, and facilities are really good.

Stumbled upon this cosy tea room when visiting the Walled Garden during the Spring Open Day. Only had coffee which was very hot and my grandson had a huge piece of fruit cake. Seems an ideal place for a spot of lunch with baguettes and...

Hiden in the woods in the summer must be a wonderful lunch venue we visited in the winter but we were made very welcome and the food service quick and worth the effot to find the place

Top notch breakfast, good coffee, prompt and friendly service BUT they are often closed for private functions. This would not be a problem except that you have to drive down a a mile long lane only to find the signage that tells you that your...

Situated in a former shooting lodge in the middle of Luton Hoo estate, accessed via the long estate drive (not to be confused with the drive to the Luton Hoo hotel from which there is no access), on the edge of a small wood and...