Towards the end of the summer, Dorset Foodie Feed were kindly invited to visit Compton Acres in Poole, to sample a few of the delights from their new menu. Although I have lived in the area for well over a decade, I was a newbie to these beautiful gardens and so I was thrilled to be given the opportunity roam here and lunch.

When you walk into the Café & Tea Rooms, they are bright and spacious, and easily accessible from the car park. I was drawn to the fridges and cake stands instantly to my left that are stocked with chilled wines, freshly made sandwiches, pastries and fresh cakes. Great first impressions. The new menu is carefully curated by head chef, Viv, and her team. There are plenty of top-notch classics to choose from as well as a children’s menu, and gluten free and vegan options available. Lots of home made cake (all baked on the premises). Lots of sandwiches. A small selection of wines. Lots of choice for varied diets. They definitely have their lunch priorities in check!

I decided to go for the classic – a Compton BALT (bacon, avocado, lettuce and tomato) sough dough sandwich. Inside; two thick rashes of bacon, big lettuce leaves, a nice thin layer of seasoned avocado, and slices of juicy tomatoes, all with a small side of chips. I absolutely destroyed it. It was sturdy, texturally balanced and enough.

I was not done yet though. I am a home made, baked cake, nutter! So, I had a slice of the Lemon and Elderberry sponge cake – light, zesty and moist. The flat white was pretty good too. They have a great bakery and make all my celebrated versions – carrot, Guinness, chocolate, lemon drizzle. And even a walnut and almond ‘nutty twist’ on the Battenberg – discovered on a more recent visit that was…boundary pushing!

The gardens themselves are truly amazing and well worth a stroll (Garden Entrance fees apply) take your time or even a book and sit in one of many nooks set within the acres themselves! In parts, they look out over Poole Harbour and have been carefully manicured and maintained since the 1920’s when margarine entrepreneur (yup!), Thomas William Simpson, founded them after WW1.

Compton Acres – A great lunch spot. Friendly service. A lovely place to chill. Thank you!

Compton Acres

164 Canford Cliffs Road

Poole

Dorset

BH13 7ES

For more information about the tea rooms, visit them online here – https://www.comptonacres.co.uk/eat/cafe-tea-rooms/

Plan your visit – https://www.comptonacres.co.uk/plan-your-visit/tickets-pricing/