Merstham, Surrey RH1 3AW
http://fannysfarm.com/
Another weekend, another farm shop and cafe - the unfortunately named Fanny's. While Fanny is a charming English girl's name from olden times (and is the name of the lady owner, Fanny Maiklem), it means an entirely different thing in Australia.
Fanny's is definitely unique. It is a crazy, colourful, riotous farm shop-garden-tea room complex nestled in the green, rolling Surrey countryside.
We entered via the front gate and followed the meandering garden path into the shop, past a medley of interesting displays of plants and odds and sods. The shop is packed with all sorts of jams and preserves, honey, eggs and other wholesome goodies.
The set up for cake is a little different to what I'm used to. The cakes are lined up along a counter on covered plastic trays, and you serve yourself to a slice of whichever takes your fancy.
The cake I selected was mysteriously labelled "gluten free", and I'm still not sure what flavour it was supposed to be. Ben's choice was somewhat clearer - coffee walnut. I was a bit ambivalent about my cake - it didn't wow me.
Taking our cakes to the counter, we ordered tea (there's no coffee machine - only filtered coffee is available), and found a seat inside. The wait for our beverages was rather drawn out, and the annex where we sat was a tad chilly (a heater would not go amiss). Fortunately the tea was hot, so warmed us up quickly.
The decor is eclectic and "busy", but I liked it. I wouldn't choose it for my house (would be a nightmare to dust!), but a lot of effort has gone into the theme.
There are lots of little tea-areas (including a tree house) dotted around the property that can be hired out for private parties. Outside, the garden area is lovely, and a great sun-trap with plenty of seating.
The most exciting part of the visit was when we strolled up the lane out the back and met their two pigs - Bert and Ernie. As you can see from the photos, they are superstars.
Despite the slightly bland cake
offering and lack of coffee machine, I would go back to Fanny's because
there is something really charming and honest about the place.
CakeMyDayLondon Rating
