Tea Rooms and Local Produce Around Basingstoke

The Ark is a top conference and events centre with state-of-the-art facilities next to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital. Situated on the ground floor of The Ark is the stylish Blue Cafe Bar, describing itself as “an oasis of calm” and offering cooked breakfasts, hot lunches, snacks, cakes and a range of coffees and teas.

We were impressed from the moment we stepped into the bright and spacious café, with it’s relaxing ambience enhanced by a few contemporary art works gracing the walls. There is a range of seating, and you can eat inside or outside under big patio umbrellas. Our table was in the huge glass atrium window area, dressed in a spotlessly clean blue table cloth, adorned with white, skilfully folded table napkins, gleaming silverware and a beautiful floral setting which made us feel so special.

Afternoon tea needs to be pre-booked, which we had done. The very friendly staff brought us table water and a choice of tea or coffee, followed by a three tier serving platter groaning under the weight of generous helpings of beautifully presented food.

An assortment of freshly made crust-less finger sandwiches graced the bottom layer.  Tasty fillings included smoked salmon & cream cheese, ham & tomato, cheese & cucumber and egg mayonnaise.

For the next course, a festival of bite-sized cakes adorned the centre layer: chocolate ganache, strawberry & cream cake, orange topped cheesecake and black forest gateau.

On the top tier were large fruit scones and ramekins crammed full with cream.

No complaints from our table – it was all so fresh and tasty, and what a feast! Even my healthy appetite was beaten, but not to worry, we were offered boxes to take our leftovers home! It was amazing value for money and we highly recommend it.

The Blue Cafe Bar is in the Ark Centre on Dinwoodie Drive, Basingstoke RG24 9NN, tel 01256 360400, email: [email protected], and it is open Mon-Fri 07.30-16.00. You can park free of charge right opposite the Ark; drive up to the barrier and press the button, state why you are there, and someone will let you in.

From the car park, the Ark is just a short walk across the road on flat pavements. Inside the Ark, the floors are super clean and level, with no trip hazards; there are accessible toilets straight ahead and the Blue Café Bar can be found on your right.

The Hillier Garden Centre in Aldermaston near Tadley is a substantial, well established garden centre, offering a range of plants, pots and garden furniture as well as a great gift department, a food hall and a restaurant.

The Mulberry & Thyme restaurant is large, bright and airy, with a range of tables and seating to suit your needs. The menu has something to offer you at any time of the day, from tasty breakfast options, lunches ranging from lighter dishes such as soups and sandwiches to Sunday roast, and sweet or savoury afternoon tea. Freshly ground coffee or a pot of tea, with very tempting homemade cakes and scones straight from their ovens, are available from 9am to 5pm.

Clean and accessible toilets are available next to the restaurant.

After your refreshments, why not visit the Rosebourne food hall to explore their huge range of produce and products from local suppliers, which includes a selection of convenient, frozen, locally-made ready-meals to heat up at home.

The Hillier Garden Centre is located on Basingstoke Road, just north of Aldermaston, Reading RG7 4LD, telephone 0118 971 2123. Disabled parking is right outside the entrance, and level flooring throughout make this an ideal place to visit for those living with with restricted mobility.

If Aldermaston is not convenient for you, you might like to see our reviews of other garden centres around north Hampshire.