Dining in Deryshire – Southwell Garden Centre

The sansevieria is better known as a mother-in-law’s tongue. The one Susan and myself purchased from Southwell Garden Centre, on a warm mid-week afternoon at the beginning of September, is a fine looking specimen… and the red pepper tart was delicious.
At home Susan looks after the house plants, bar one: the multi stemmed miniature olive that was my responsibility and had adorned a gloomy corner close to my desk. Note the past tense. I’d neglected it for many years and, like the famous Monty Python Norwegian Blue parrot, it ceased to exist and was bereft of life! So, on a warm early afternoon, mid-week, we set off on a leisurely drive through the Dukeries for a replacement house plant and a casual lunch.
However, the Tour of Britain cycle race had decided to use the same roads, on the same day for their Sherwood Forest to Newark-on-Trent stage. As roads on our route were temporally closed we caught site of a multi-coloured blur that was the cycle races’s peloton; several dozen, fit, lycra clad individuals moving faster through the picturesque Nottinghamshire countryside on two wheels than I’d dare do on four.
They were followed by cohorts of amateur cyclists. Many of them heading to our destination: the bike friendly Southwell Garden Centre and tea rooms.
The family run garden centre is on the outskirts of Southwell and easy to find. It has the feel of a nursery. Plants, containers and compost taking centre stage.
We spent some time wandering through the outdoor plants before the thought of lunch got the better of us and we made our way to the tea room. There is extensive outdoor seating and on this warm (Tour of Britain) afternoon it had attracted a lot of cyclists enjoying an al fresco lunch. And they can keep an eye on their bike in the purpose built cycle rack.

We selected a couple of drinks: a chilled, citrus flavoured water for Susan and bottle of Fentimans lemon shandy for myself, and drank these as we chatted to Dan, one of the co-owners, and Sheryl. Dan is responsible for the savoury side of the menu; often beginning his baking at 6am. Sheryl bakes the cakes and puddings, a vast array of which greet you from behind a chilled display cabinet as you enter the tea room. Wherever possible they use local ingredients. And North Nottinghamshire isn’t short of excellent market gardeners and butchers.
For my lunch I decided to try one of Dan’s open, savoury tarts from the specials board: roasted red pepper, tomato and brie. A slice of shortcrust pastry tart stuffed with a soft, tangy brie under a thick layer of roasted tomato and red pepper. All topped with a stack of crispy, deep fried potato strings was the main attraction. The pastry was light and crumbly and the peppers added a note of sweetness that enhanced the tomato flavour. It was accompanied by a fresh crispy salad of lettuce, tomato, cucumber, red onion and cress. A helping of warm new potatoes and a mound of creamy coleslaw completed the ensemble.
Susan made her selection from the ordinary lunch menu: a ploughman’s. It had two wedges of tangy cheese filling a quarter of the plate. It had the same generous salad but instead of the coleslaw there was a pot of Branston pickle and two batons of celery to scoop it up with along with a choice of white or wholemeal roll.
The lunch time menu ranges from home made soups and sandwiches through to battered haddock and chips. There’s a soup and sandwich combo; a sort of mix and match. For the cooler days there are toasties, jacket potatoes and a Growler that consists of ham, chips and cheese in a soft bap.
On the day we were there the tea room had around eight specials available for lunch. Loaded fries with pulled pork or southern fried chicken. A cheese, tomato and onion quiche, a broccoli and Stilton quiche or a bacon and cheese quiche; both with salad. Southern fried chicken burger with chips. Smoked haddock and mozzarella fishcakes. Pan fried plaice with lemon and mashed potatoes.
They open at 9am when the breakfast menu is available. There’s toast with various toppings. Breakfast cobs with fillings ranging from just egg to bacon, sausage and egg. And a full English they call The Works with all the usual suspects.
Sunday lunch is very popular at the garden centre. Dan tries to include at least two crowd pleasers: his steak and ale pie and the rich flavour and beautifully tender texture of a slow cooked roast brisket. Booking is advisable.
And to finish there’s a large selection of pies, puddings and cakes. Large, traditional fruit filled pies ready to be sliced. Crumbles ready to be scooped. Chocolate and coconut coated, generously proportioned individual cookies and brownies ready to be nibbled. A lemon meringue begging to be eaten. And a Fairtrade coffee to linger over.
A large, old fashioned, deep filled, egg custard attracted my attention. Dusted with nutmeg, pale golden on the top, and just the merest tremor in the centre when Sheryl moved the dish. It made my mouth water and was something to bear in mind for the next time we visit.