Trio of Treats at Packwood House

As blog readers will know, we're always on the look out for opportunities to try gluten free goodies when out and about.  This Easter weekend we decided to head to the National Trust's Packwood House for a mid-morning coffee (and cake) stop.

Although it was quiet when we arrived, we executed a speed visit (which is the norm with Sous Chef J) and left before the House opened (more on that later).  However, we still had time to have a wander in the walled kitchen garden - which is a lovely, calm space complete with Mole Deterrent and resident cat - before heading into the cafe.

Once indoors we decided to select one of each of the three, yes THREE, gluten free cake options on sale.  The hot drinks - one cappucino, one latte and a hot chocolate - were all very well prepared as there was nothing of 'surface of the sun' temperature to contend with (a bugbear of ours).

The cakes were delicious and each of us decided OUR cake choice was the best!! J's chocolate brownie was squishy in the middle, my toffee fudge cake was a decadent treat and B's almond cake was moist and moreish.

We have been to Packwood House a number of times now so have been round the house on previous visits... J particularly likes all the "dark and myserious stuff" in the house (there's a BIG key he loves to see) and the Great Hall is a lovely space  The parkland is a good choice for a wander with Peppie dog (we left him at home today as the weather didn't seem conducive to sitting outside for our cafe stop) and the yew tree topiary is a sight to behold in the formal garden area.

Definitely a destination we like to visit time and again to see the house and grounds in different seasons... and, of course, check out the cakes on offer in the cafe!