Now that the weather's picking up it's good to get out in the countryside for a change of scenery. But where to go when looking for a venue that suits the whole family?

 

One place has become a personal firm favourite - Mainsgill Farm. Within about an hour's drive from Hartlepool, it's easy to reach (about five miles west along the A66 from Scotch Corner).  For the grown ups, besides the tea room, there's a great food hall which has a vast display of home-reared meats, local cheeses, drinks, fruit and vegetables (to name but a few lines). Take a cool bag with you as you'll be tempted to take home some treats! Above the food hall, the mezzanine floor also has a wide selection of clothes, goodies for the home etc..

 

 

For the little'uns the safe outdoor garden with things to climb on/ride on to their heart's content while parents can either watch from the outside picnic tables or (more cosily) through the large French doors of the tea room whilst enjoying either a full meal or a snack - all at a decent price. Not only are there the most tempting cakes (oh, those fruit meringues ...) but the menu also includes light meals, soups, lunches, afternoon teas and great all day breakfasts featuring their own home-produced bacon and sausages.

 

Another attraction is the animals - including camels - but there's always a good selection of more conventional farm animals on view, too. During the lambing season people can visit their barn as well as watch 'lambing live' on a webcam. All in all, Mainsgill is a great venue either as a stop en route to the lake district or as a place to visit in its own right.

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