Forty Hall & Estate, Enfield

Forty Hall is a stunning estate. They have a beautiful building with a large lake full of ducks, geese and sometimes swans. There's also plenty of forest area to the back and a small farm to explore. A must for a lovely walk out to take the kids for an afternoon out. We often go for a picnic in the summer or to feed the ducks.

I've been to this beautiful place many times before, and have always recommended the cafe, as it seemed welcoming and quaint, with good service. Please note that I use the past tense. Today, we enjoyed a walk in the grounds and came to the rear side (courtyard) entrance of the cafe, and realised we could not order any coffees inside the cafe as they were now serving out of a sort of make-shift 'hatch' in the wall, (why?) and a few people and their dogs were seated at tables in front of the doors. Nothing looked very clean. We asked if we could go inside the cafe, only to be met with the most surly attitude from the woman who was 'serving'. With every subsequent question we asked, such as 'which door, and what side of the building should we use to enter?' (as tables had been placed in front of the doors, obstructing entry unless we were willing to disturb people and climb over their dogs to get to the doors) she became more unwelcoming and rude. The final straw was when we asked if they sold tea cakes, and were told, in no uncertain terms, NO! She was sullen, miserable and sarcastic, and I was relieved that I hadn't brought any overseas visitors to the place, as I would have been mortified, especially after saying how lovely the place was. And it was, in the past, but not any more. Embarrassing and disappointing experience.