The Potting Shed Café, Baginton

This lovely café is tucked amid the flowers of Russell’s Garden Centre at the outskirts of Coventry. Its modest size belies the hefty punch it packs on the baking front.

The smiling team serve generous hunks of cake (we can personally recommend the Bakewell slice) alongside home-baked bread, cheese scones and sandwiches, with coleslaw and chutney from the kitchen. The surrounds are quirky and wonderful: grab a table in the luminous conservatory to make the most of the blooms nearby, or outside if weather allows.

Kids will love the miniature railway alongside and no one can fail to lap up a moment with the wildlife in peace. If you’ve got time to spare, check out the Roman fort of Lunt nearby.