Warmley Waiting Room

Warmley Waiting Room Cafe

Remember when autumn was full of beautiful days, with crisp, golden leaves crunching underfoot?  Glorious, wasn't it?

It's such a shame that the British weather has taken a decided turn for the worse, with the recent storms dumping a ridiculous amount of rain on our heads; I was quite looking forward to a picturesque autumn for once.  Still, the weather was fantastic a few weeks ago when Dave, Lucas and I went for a walk down the Bristol-Bath cycle path with a stop off at the newly-renovated Warmly Waiting Room cafe afterwards.

It took about four years of Bristol-life before it dawned on me that the Bristol-Bath cycle path ran along the old railway line between Bristol and Bath.  And it was only recently that Dave mentioned that there were still old railway stations dotted along the line.

We started our walk at Warmley, where the old signal box was recently renovated.  It looked rather spiffing in the sunshine; I could imagine Miss Marple passing through little countryside stations like Warmley on her way to London.

Warmley Signal Box

The old platform was crowded with cyclists taking a break with a cuppa and slices of cake galore.  We dragged Lucas past, promising him cake when we got back to Warmley--"Of course we'll have cake!  Maybe even a cream tea!"--and set off along the cycle path.

As we wandered along, we stumbled across a few pieces of artwork.  I loved the little robot, who had so much personality and such a cheerful wave to all the passersby!

The cycle path is the place to go if you fancy blackberrying.  We saw several people braving the thorns to fill Tupperware and wicker baskets from the bushes which were positively dripping with plump berries.  It's a shame that blackberries aren't my thing--I just can't get past the humungous pips--otherwise I might have sacrificed my handbag and gone hog wild in the bushes!

Hedgerow delights

Before long we arrived at Old Mangotsfield Station and walked up onto the platform which was lined with trees, planted where the old columns stood when the station was in use.

Old Mangotsfield Station

There were loads of gorgeously crispy leaves around and Lucas couldn't resist tossing them around.  (I need a much faster camera to capture shots like these properly!)

We wandered around inside the ruined station for a little while--you could play an epic game of hide and seek in there!  There are trees growing everywhere inside the walls, some deliberately planted, others by Mother Nature.  It seemed to be a popular picnic spot, too.

Talking of hide and seek...spot the Lucas...

Sadly, by the time we'd walked all the way to Old Mangotsfield Station and back, the Waiting Room was totally sold out of cream teas and cakes.  Quelle horreur!  We wound up going to Sainsbury's and having a DIY cream tea to stave off Lucas's tears, but resolved to go back as soon as possible for the cake-y treat we'd intended to have!

A week later and we were back at Warmley Waiting Room having cake for breakfast.  Well, second breakfast in Lucas's case...I suspect he's part hobbit.

Coffee cake--lush!

Dave and I both had a slice of the coffee cake (epic) and Lucas had about half of his chocolate cake before saying that it was "too chocolatey", so I helpfully polished it off for him.  For the record, it was gorgeous!

We've been back a couple of times and I'm sure it will be one of our favourite places for coffee over the summer months.  I can't wait to see what iced coffee confections they come up with!

Warmley Waiting Room
Old Warmley Station
Warmley
BRISTOL
BS30 5JB

Web: http://www.facebook.com/WarmleyWaitingRoom

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