Another weekend, another cycle ride, and another café stop – this time at a new-ish venue that a few people have mentioned to me is worth a visit.
The Maple Leaf Café opened at Canada Fields caravan park and farm, near Yafforth, Northallerton earlier this year (and is not to be confused with the hospitality offering at Maple Park, the crematorium near Thirsk, as I initially did when friends suggested meeting there).
Coming from different directions, we arranged to get there (on two wheels) for 10am, with the added bonus that a group of hot air balloonists were staying, and we hoped to see them taking off.
The entrance to Maple Leaf Café at Canada Fields caravan park and farm, near Yafforth, Northallerton
(Image: Hannah Chapman)
Well, it turns out we were about four hours too late for any hot air balloon action, but the very-friendly enthusiasts told us all about their hobby, the names of their balloons, invited us to their next meeting and even gave us club-branded fridge magnets. A flying start to our visit.
Canada Fields, named after the thousands of Canada Geese which carpet the land each year before heading south for winter, is three miles from Northallerton beside the B6271. The entrance is marked by an enormous carved sign, topped by one of many bear sculptures dotted around the site, which informs visitors of the respective distances to London (245 miles), York (35 miles), Edinburgh (175 miles) and Richmond (12 miles), all of which put my little pootle firmly in perspective.
The pretty courtyard seating area, complete with fishpond water feature, has ample bike parking, and while the entrance to the café is perhaps a little plain (bears aside), it is a whole different story once you step inside.
Inside the Maple Leaf Café at Canada Fields caravan park and farm, near Yafforth, Northallerton
(Image: Hannah Chapman)
On the right are an abundance of hand-crafted treasures – from little wooden creatures to enormous carvings, while a huge chandelier made from colourful horseshoes dominates the centre of the room, drawing the eye across to the left, where tree trunks adorned with fairy lights twist upwards, seemingly supporting an upper floor.
Arched windows and the high ceilings make it a light, airy space and the whole inside-outside feeling is carried off wonderfully. And yes, there are even more bears, including a wonderful life-size (?!) Paddington clutching a jar of marmalade. We were neither too old nor too serious to have a picture with the little fella.
Paddington and his marmalade at Maple Leaf Café at Canada Fields caravan park and farm, near Yafforth, Northallerton
(Image: Hannah Chapman)
The menu has plenty of breakfast options, from a full breakfast (£12.50), plus lighter (£9.25) and veggie (£8) versions, a Greek yoghurt fruit bowl (£4.25) and poached eggs on toast with avocado (£8). For lunch, there are jacket potatoes (£8.50 for two toppings, served with salad and coleslaw) and a host of sandwiches, toasties and paninis.
It was good to see clearly marked, chilled tap water freely available, one of the urns flavoured with a slice of fresh orange, and generously-sized glasses rather than the thimbles offered in some venues.
Two of us went for the poached eggs, with an added slice of bacon in my case, and the third got a cheese scone, having spotted they were fresh out of the oven. Rather than ordering at the counter, it is table service – all very relaxed.
Cakes at Maple Leaf Café at Canada Fields caravan park and farm, near Yafforth, Northallerton
(Image: Hannah Chapman)
The eggs, topped with crunchy, salty seeds, were perfectly cooked. Just runny enough to have a nice yolky gloop, but not so runny as to flood across the plate.
The avocado was a hearty covering, and the sourdough was a decent thickness but only lightly toasted, making it easy to cut and giving no cause for concern about cracking a tooth on the crusts.
The bacon was tasty and good quality, but I should have asked for it to be done a little crispier (my fault).
Poached eggs and avocado on toast with bacon at Maple Leaf Café at Canada Fields caravan park and farm, near Yafforth, Northallerton
(Image: Hannah Chapman)
The scone was equally highly rated. It was in that perfect scone-state of oven fresh and slightly warm, rather than being reheated. Enjoyed with a coffee, it was a perfect mid-cycling snack.
Our table was close to the counter, and it was hard not to find the head turned by the splendid selection of cakes and tray bakes.
I’m a sucker for a carrot cake, and got a slice to take away, although I hadn’t quite bargained on how to transport the rather-large box back on my bike. I considered just eating it there and then, but in the end managed an origami-style arrangement which got it home relatively unscathed.
It tasted all the better for the sense of anticipation – the sweet icing contrasting nicely with the gently-spiced, crumbly cake. Lovely.
Cakes at Maple Leaf Café at Canada Fields caravan park and farm, near Yafforth, Northallerton
(Image: Hannah Chapman)
Service throughout was pretty laid-back, which suits a venue set-up for holidaymakers and day-trippers, and the pricing felt good value.
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We were a bit awkward when it came to paying, all sorting our bills separately, and then my late decision on a slice of cake complicated matters further, but it was no trouble to the friendly staff.
Photo shoot with Paddington complete, we climbed back on our bikes and pedalled away, glad the recommendations to try Maple Leaf had lived up to expectations, and happy to spread the word further of this welcoming venue with its beautifully interesting décor.
Maple Leaf Café,Moor Lane, Yafforth, Northallerton, DL70QAOpen Monday to Sunday, 9am to 4pmRatings (out of ten): Surroundings 10 Value for money 9 Service 8 Food quality 8