Out & About Autumn 2019

Out&About food & drink

The Snugg, Snelsmore Common On the B4494, Wantage Road Open Wednesday to Friday 10am – 5pm Saturday and Sunday – 9am – 5pm From August 1 until September 1 open 7 days a week from 10am – 5pm H URRAH, there’s finally a café at Snelsmore Common. Imagine the collective cheer that went up when Tracy Foster first opened the doors - from dog walkers, who spend hot, sunny mornings and cold winter nights trudging the well-walked paths, to parents running along behind their children as they master the art of riding without stabilisers around the circular route; everyone was in need of a coffee shop. The Snugg is just what it says on the tin. A cosy café with walls adorned with positive quotes and pallets-cum-shelves displaying the teapots that Tracy has lovingly collected over the years. Come in for a cuppa and she will choose which teapot to serve your drink in, depending on your personality. Despite only opening in June, regulars now abound and one has even been in with a new teapot to add to the collection. Tracy used to run the post office in Yattendon, but moved just half-a-mile up the road from Snelsmore Common last year, with husband Dean, who also runs a local taxi firm. They decided a café of some sort was much needed and approached the landowners, BBOWT (Berks, Bucks and Oxon Wildlife Trust) to see if they could renovating the old garage right by the entrance to the common and opening up their café. The first few months have exceeded all of their expectations and with a number of new ideas coming to fruition over the summer, things only look set to get better. The Snugg also offers afternoon teas and picnics to order – both must be bring up a mobile coffee stand. Before they knew it they were

pre-booked at least 24 hours in advance – which include a delectable array of sandwiches, cakes, scones, crisps and drinks. Tracy is keen to work with local suppliers and so twice a week, four or five tasty cakes are delivered from Hermitage-based Camilla’s Cakes. As well as cakes, you can also enjoy baguettes, sandwiches, quiches, salad bowls, biscuits, fruit and ice creams. And keen to do her bit for the planet too, you can also take your own cups or Tracy will serve your drink in compostable ones. Kids lunchboxes also come in recyclable paper bags. Even dogs don’t miss out at The Snugg, as Tracy stocks Pawsecco freeze pops, which are perfect for your furry friends.

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