Brunel Brunches, Lemon Jelli, The House of Marbles, The Devon Guild of Craftsmen

This is a bit of a retrospective of a few days in Devon last week.  I've passed the Brunel Brunches many times and often wondered what it was like.  It's near the railway station, as you might guess by its name, and also ideally situated for the industrial estates in Newton Abbot.  As it opens early and closes early, I decided to visit for breakfast following a short walk round the Town Quay.  It's a portakabin or two with another round the back for the smokers.  I ordered a sausage sandwich and tea and ate and enjoyed while reading the Western Morning News.  There's quite a menu and the cakes looked inviting but maybe a little later in the day.  A bit of banter between Mrs Brunel Diner and the regulars which was good to see.  I'd go again, but if you want the Ritz, go to the Ritz.

Lemon Jelli is in the market and again I've walked past it many times.  I ordered tea and toast on my visit and it was good to soak up the market day atmosphere and read the paper in the market hall.  LJ is soon to move into the old Courtenay Arms premises on Queen Street where we are promised longer opening hours and an extended menu.  I look forward to visiting them there.

The House of Marbles, well what can you say?  I remember when it was cheap and cheerful and mile long queues for the scones.  Now it's waitress service and wait to be seated.  The gorilla is still there though.  That being said, the soup my friend and I had was indeed a meal in itself as promised and the atmosphere in the cafe was good.  We were able to people watch to our hearts content and then take in the glass works, museum and shop.

Last up, The Devon Guild of Craftsmen.  Nice pot of tea, interesting selection of cakes and not overcrowded.  The perfect place for afternoon tea.

Westgate College Community Cafe, West Road

Is it a school canteen?  No! It's open to the public!  It's a large room with cafe-style tables and chairs.  You might have to wait for a seat as plenty of groups use the college and thus the cafe.  It's very reasonably priced and I for one couldn't fault the corned beef hash.  The quiche and salad is good too so I am told.  Service was friendly and helpful.

Bede's Bakehouse, Sunderland

It's not every day you have tea at a proposed world heritage site.  I'd arrived early and had to wait for St Peters church to open. That gave me time to read the display boards and trace the outline of the ancient buildings and see the stone laid by the Duke of Edinburgh.
Once inside, the small group of worshipper asked hopefully if I intended to join them.  I made straight for the cafe and ordered tea and a flapjack.  I enjoyed it sitting in the hexagonal, modern chapter house.  It was lovely and light and bright.  A nice mixture of small tables and long refectory-style ones, paintings and souvenirs on sale.  The whole menu sounded good, you can even go for afternoon tea.  Then I spotted the opening times!  Bedes Bakehouse does not open till 10.30am, yet I had wandered in at 10am and been served without so much as a murmur.  So, full marks for customer service, and for the tea.  I shall return during normal opening times!