"There’s a few options for morning or afternoon tea, or a light lunch, while you are spending time in Shipley Country Park. The Nutbrook Coffee Shop is by far the most pleasant of them all, and certainly serves the best coffee of them all. It’s set in picturesque surroundings. As well as a contemporary inside dining area, it has two outdoor seating areas: one is under a marquee in the garden of the cafe, and the other is across the road in front of the cafe, with suitably spaced picnic tables under huge umbrellas. On the beautiful day we visited, the outside areas were extremely busy. The cafe is just beyond the south-eastern edge of Shipley Country Park, and is a good 30 minute walk from the park’s visitor centre. It’s a bit closer from the village of Mapperley, and is a 20 minute walk along the pretty Slack Road. However, the cafe attracts a lot of walkers and cyclists, not just from Shipley Country Park but because it’s on the popular car-free Nutbrook Trail between Long Eaton and Heanor. We called in for morning tea. There were very precise social distancing measures in place; we were assigned a table, then observed a one way system to order, with food and drinks being delivered to your assigned table. It was civilised and appreciated. We had morning tea at the coffee shop. The freshly-brewed double espresso and the flat white were outstanding. The cafe actually sells a range of packs of coffee beans so it’s apparent that decent coffee beans are sourced. This was accompanied by huge freshly-baked scones. What a selection to choose from: plain, fruit, raspberry and cheese. We chose the raspberry scones. Served with jam and clotted cream, they were outstanding. The menu for a light lunch is quite comprehensive, with a wide range of soups, sandwiches, paninis, jacket potatoes, sausage rolls and pasties. Service was charming and obliging, and we felt welcomed. It’s dog friendly (we had a dog with us), but it’s expected that you keep your pooch calm and settled. The coffee shop is worth seeking out. It’s a little gem, and it’s popularity confirms that!"
