A SUNNY Sunday may not be the best time to visit a popular tourist spot. On the other hand it could be a good test of the catering arrangements.

People looking round the lavender and herb nursery were outnumbered by those seeking refreshment.

This recently-built tea room is well appointed. The tea room next to the 'inevitable' shop is supplemented by additional accommodation affording views over the plain of York.

We chose a window table and thought it could do to have the crumbs removed. They turned out to be lavender seeds!

Decor was predictable. Walls, blinds and tablecloths were in misty shades of lavender blue and mauve.

The menu is modest, prices reasonable including sandwiches (£2.20), cheese and mixed salad (£3.45) and quiche and salad (£3.95).

A pot of tea (£1.95), coffee (£1.80) and fresh orange juice (90p) were some of the drinks available.

The house speciality is lavender scone (there is a fruit option) with lavender jam and cream. This was a must for me! Ann thought a toasted tea cake would suffice. Both were priced at £1.25.

Ann said her tea cake was cold and lacked substance. It was thickly buttered, so much so that I was begged to remove some for my scone.

Had I not known that it was a lavender scone, I am not certain I would have correctly identified the flavour. And maybe the jam is an acquired taste. It was very solid. Helpings of both jam and cream were formidable.

The venue was busy but the staff coped, just. Table clearing was slow but orders, requests for serviettes (we were given six) were cheerfully executed. Some visitors were licking their way through cones of lavender ice cream.

Rested and refreshed and £5 the lighter, we departed without succumbing to a lavender plant!

There is adequate parking and wheelchair access to the caf is excellent.

Updated: 09:20 Saturday, July 05, 2003