Five of our favourite places in Epping Forest to have a drink and treat.

On Monday it is market day in Epping so why not have a wander down the High Street, looking at the market stalls and then go for a coffee and cake at Café Belgique?

Cafe Belgiqueand Patisserie  is on the High Street in Epping (242-244 High Street), telephone 0203 404 2511. It is open daily 8am -5pm.

There is a lovely menu – a great selection of teas and coffees plus some wonderful cakes and parties to spoil yourself!

This is a firm favourite with several of our clients who love to have a coffee and a pastry while out for a stroll down the High street with their Care Professional. I love their hot chocolate on a cold winters day and can never resist one of their tarts to accompany my drink!

Harlow Garden Centre, is open daily – telephone 01279 419039.

Harlow Garden Centre If you wish a trip out then this is a lovely place to visit with over 1,000 varieties of trees and shrubs and over 1,000 varieties of herbaceous and alpine plants along with garden furniture, gifts and treats. It is easy to spend an hour or two wandering round and then stop for a visit to their lovely café. It is an all year-round venue from Spring bulbs to summer flowers to autumn colours then lots of Christmas plants and present ideas.

There is a super tea and cake shop which is very popular with our clients and Care Professionals where refreshments are served daily. What better way to spend a morning looking at plants and then having a drink and biscuit or cake? It also offers a great selection of lunches.

I visited recently and could not resist buying some plants – I would have had lots more if my daughter (7 years) had had her way.

This is popular with our clients who live in or near Ongar. It is open all year, mornings in the winter months 9am -1.30pm.

There is plenty of parking, It is reasonably priced and on a nice day you can sit outside enjoying views over the playing fields.

Kalik Café is a friendly, welcoming Café situated in the heart of Waltham Abbey’s historic town centre.

There is no need to book and there is good choice of menu including an ‘All Day Breakfast’.  Sun Street is pedestrianised with parking in Quaker Lane Car Park which does include a free parking area for two hours but limited spaces.

All facilities are good with an outside eating space for fine days.

After stopping here you can then go on to visit Waltham Abbey Museum, Abbey Church and Gardens if you wish to extend your trip.

Lee Valley Water Centre, Station Road EN9 1AB

For a trip out why not consider here? Just can sit back and watch the action, of white water rafting on the Olympic course, whilst sitting having a cup of tea or coffee or lunch!  It is lovely to watch other people being active! The café stays open all year round so even in the winter months whilst it is cold and white outside you can still be warm inside.

On sunny days sit at the Terrace Bar and Café and enjoy!  Savoury snacks and sumptuous cakes are available.

Open Wednesday to Sunday 11.30-17.00, Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.