As soon as you walk through the door of this up-market hostelry the sight of huge homemade tarts and cakes meets your eyes.

It’s tempting, I’ll give them that.

Tea rooms are a dying breed in most towns and cities and that’s a shame.

We’re either being taken over by ‘greasy spoon’ breakfast cafes or it’s fast food and cheap as chips grub that’s been made by machine rather than the loving hands of a talented cook.

Tablecloths on tables and well-turned out waitresses, now that’s what I want in a tea room.

What I also want is a good menu with plenty of options to suit every palate.

This place has it all in spades.

From traditional sandwiches to specials such as salmon fillet served with watercress sauce or chicken in honey and mustard sauce, there is a good choice.

I opted for a very healthy (and low fat) salad of poached salmon with prawns and tuna. This was served beautifully, together with a healthy helping of homemade coleslaw.

My companion went for a less healthy, but equally tantalising continental speciality sandwich on granary bread.

This comprised smoked bacon, fresh pear and topped off with melted brie.

This was accompanied by a hearty salad.

Oh, I forgot to slip in the two portions of fabulous potato wedges of which every mouthful was a dream.

I would return to this place just for these alone!

First courses done, our attentions turned to the desserts. Again The Town House offers a mix of options – hot puddings served with custard or ice-cream or traditional tea room fare of cakes and tarts.

I devoured a generous helping of carrot cake, while my companion polished off a very tasty looking apple and blackberry crumble with custard.

This barely touched the sides and there wasn’t a single crumb left on his very substantial plate.

What struck me about this place on Bawtry’s High Street, apart from the food, was that had we not arrived before 12.30pm as we had, then we’d have struggled for a table.

The place was absolutely packed – always a good sign, especially midweek.

In the evenings The Town House Tea Rooms becomes a wine bar, and I’m told the atmosphere is great.

If its daytime service is anything to go by then I’m sure it must be just as much of a hit with locals and those travelling from further afield.

It will certainly go down in my book as a place to re-visit, although there is a slight sting in the tail.

The price of our lunch came to a cool £30. Some would argue that’s a bit on the steep side, but the old adage ‘you get what you pay for’ rings true with me!

by Tracy Powell H H H H H