As a general theme of late, we have been searching for things to enjoy in the summer months – as such we’ve been creeping round parks in search of places to sit and nurse a cold drink in the sunshine (whilst attempting to avoid looking creepy or like an MP on the hunt for some scandal). We’re no strangers to traipsing around a park looking for something filling, but on this occasion we were not on a ramble in the dark, the uneven ground illuminated only by our shy torch-light. Instead we were looking for something entirely different - something family-friendly and innocent.



Our normal view in a park

Happily we found ourselves wandering into Dulwich Park - one of the premier parks in London (apparently). It was a bit of a trek from our normal haunt of West London, but we overcame our fears of going South (primarily because it was during the day) in search of the perfect sunning spot.

The Dulwich Park cafe (the Pavilion Cafe)  is truly one of the more impressive park cafes  in London - the refurbished pavilion itself makes for a classic (or nostalgic for those old enough) venue to enjoy the family-friendly venue complete with teas and cakes whilst enjoying the greenery and the punishing sunshine.

The food itself is extremely tasty - and we were lucky enough to get our hands on their brilliant home-made cakes and puddings (along with some cheeky buttered hot-cross buns - what better way to celebrate the resurrection?). It's very much a cafe and all the food feels like it was cooked by your mum when you were young (assuming your mum was a middle-class English woman living in Britain with access to the relevant ingredients and not, as was in our case, Chinese. In which case dim sum is more like what your mum used to make).

Food and teas aside, the people (staff and punters alike) were friendly, relaxed and happy. That's so rare in London we aim to come here every weekend.

http://www.pavilioncafedulwich.co.uk/