One of my favourite local haunts since becoming a parent is Fresh Ground Cafe on 279 Gloucester Road, Bishopston. Part of Horfield Baptist Church, it is staffed by volunteers from the church and open to the public.

Fresh Ground Cafe is simple, clean, child-friendly and has a great atmosphere. The kids like it because there are toys and books, plus nearly always other children there to play with.

There is also a comfy sofa there, great for breast-feeding mums.

I first started going to Fresh Ground Cafe a couple of years ago every week for lunch with friends following Piglets Toddler Group. It is still a regular meeting place for us as it is somewhere where are kids can play safely and freely in a relaxed atmosphere.

The people who serve customers are all invariably kind and welcoming to all who visit. They are also very patient with the kids and don’t bat an eyelid at any mess, spills or tantrums.

Lunch and snacks are very cheap yet all meals are fresh, home-made and very delicious. And don’t get me started on the cakes!

There are also meals and snacks for children, including a “Children’s Platter” for £1.50. This includes sandwiches, plus a choice of four other items: a finger of Cheddar Cheese, carrot, cucumber, a cherry tomato, grapes or raisins.

There are also other children’s lunches, for example, Child’s pasta with home-made tomato sauce and grated cheese (my little girl’s favourite) for £1.50, beans on a slice of bread for £1, scrambled egg and soldiers for £1.50 or a half-jacket potato with cheese for £2.

There are also fairy cakes for the kids which they enjoy.

If you haven’t yet ventured into Fresh ground Cafe, I can promise that you won’t be disappointed if you pop in for a coffee or a bite to eat.