Stubbings

If you manage to survive (or need to prepare yourself for) the Reading traffic, the lovely Stubbings nursery provides respite.

The café is a recent addition to the established family-run nursery, housed in a new glasshouse which takes full advantage of the 18th-century, Grade-II listed walled garden alongside. Take a table by the window to watch the wildlife in the beautifully tended garden as you fill up on tasty local food, from grilled breakfasts to soups, quiches, jacket potatoes and sandwiches. The freshly made scones are especially recommended. If you’re travelling on a Wednesday, Thursday or Friday, book ahead and you can have Afternoon Tea with fresh patisserie treats. Dogs and their owners are welcome on the covered south-facing decking, set with colourful tables and decorated with bunting.

Musically, as well as horticulturally, talented, the family sometimes run a short opera summer season and have also recently hosted productions of Shakespeare and outdoor cinema events. The private grounds of Stubbings House are opened up for charity on a number of weekends – see website for details.