The Drawing Room, Hidden Alleyway, Chesham

Living up to its name , you feel like you are walking into someone's drawing room , with very intimate tables and hanging chair. Outside there are tables under a gazebo which in winter time have chimineers to keep you toasty, plus additional tables for those sunny days , we much prefer the outside due to the windchimes and mirrors that adorn the alley. Set back off the main highstreet gives the outside area a sense of being a secluded garden. It has a good range, including soft drinks, teas, tapas, sandwiches, and cakes -including gluten free! The gluten free chocolate brownies and carrot cake are most definitely high on the scrumptious score. The staff aren't always talkative but serve promptly. The crockery is nice and serves its purpose. Prepare yourself for mildly erotic artwork to be on display as it is also a functioning gift shop. 

28/35

* Loos are located up a steep set of stairs ( the house's bathroom)

The Attic, Home and Colonial, Berkhamsted

After winding your way up the stairs , with frequent detours to peruse the eclectic mix of furniture and household goodies , you eventually reach The Attic. The vintage feel of the shop is continued with fine bone china and  traditional bakes. The ambiance is warm and friendly, and the table service was prompt. A good selection of cakes, and we can personally vouch that their scones were deliciously soft and buttery. Despite having limited soft drinks there was a far-reaching range of exotic teas and hot drinks. An intimate feel allows you to people watch at ease.

28/35

Mr Hildreth's Cafe, Hildreth's Garden Centre, Prestwood

A very traditional cafe/tearoom with its wooden beams and pine trestle tables. Having been there on several occasions the staff have always been friendly and it always has a busy feel to it. It offers a range of hot food and cakes, as wells as a wide choice of refreshment. Extremely generous slices of cake are the norm which are homemade and tasty but sometimes the icing can be a wee bit overwhelming and detracts from the overall scrumptiousness. Crockery and cutlery mildly utilitarian - 'ikeaesque'.Large outdoor seating area allows for you to grab a breath of fresh air .
If we are to be completely honest our main reason for frequent attendance is the Aladdin's Cave of cooking and baking gadgets and gizmos that lurks above the hardware store.  Downstairs male heaven- upstairs girly heaven!

We give Hildreth's 25/35 .

La Chocolaterie, Wendover

Located in the heart of Wendover this is a little cafe specializing in chocolate- the workshop can be seen through a window inside, and there are plenty of different truffles for sale , you were even offered a free sample with your cuppa. A wide range of hot drinks were available , including of course hot chocolate, but limited on the soft drink front. A nice ambiance and outside seating to accompany the homemade ice cream. No baking sampled today, hence the score being out of thirty. Whilst a pleasant place to stop for a drink and watch the world go by, it lacked, for us, that element of quirk.

Scoring a respectable 20/30.

Cafe on the Lake, College Lake, Herts

After having picnicked and explored the tranquil surroundings of the lake we ,of course, had to visit the tearoom.It was clean and minimalist, but met the needs of the customer seeking a cold drink. A limited range of choice , although the victoria sponge was reasonably scrumptious . The crockery was mildly utilitarian and the cutlery wasn't on the fancy side. While spacious and bright it doesn't score anything for quirkiness. It's definitely a place where you go for the views and the wildlife.

Our score on the door is 15/35

Sanuk - Little Heath Farm, Potten End, Herts

We had spotted the advert in the Guide to the Rex Cinema (excellent Art Deco Cinema, well worth a visit). After driving up a lane that seemed to lead to the middle of wood, there was the farm.  It boasts not only Sanuk but also a plant nursery and an antique shop.

The cafe is located in a barn that also houses a shop selling an unusual mixture of indian artefacts and trinkets. It certainly scores highly on the quirkiness as there is ivy clambering at the windows - inside and out -  and high vaulted wooden ceilings and beams. Fresh flowers and candles are on each table, with plenty of space to allow for private conversations. Beautiful crockery just let down slightly by Ikea style cutlery.

The cakes looked wonderful and the orange and chocolate sponge got full marks on scrumptiousness. A good range of teas were on offer, together with cafetieres of coffee. Soft drinks were not listed on the menu. The lady who was serving was happy to chat and give some of the history of the farm.

All in all, 29/35 score and definitely worth a return visit.