We tried Gedling country park's new revamped café - and here is what we think

Beyond the hills at the Gedling Country Park there is one of the most magical locations to have a coffee on a sunny day.

Café 1899, which has only been operating as a takeaway since last year, has now opened for visitors who can eat and drink on the new decking outside

Far away from the bustle of the city, the outdoor seating and beautiful landscape alone were enough to convince us to return in the foreseeable future.

That said, the pleasure of spending an hour surrounded by nature with a hot oat cappuccino in hand should not be underestimated.

We arrived at the café in the early afternoon without a booking, I was allocated a table by a member of staff after checking in on the NHS app.

For all the coffee lovers who prefer dairy-free alternatives, you will be pleased to hear that Café 1899 has them all.

My oat coffee cappuccino was ready within minutes, so I sat down and enjoyed it in a quiet and serene atmosphere for an hour and immediately regretted that I have not prolonged my stay with a meal.

It is refreshing to be able to have a coffee in such a peaceful display, which is quite different to the busy scenes in the city.

One minor inconvenience that I have noticed however is that once they are seated, customers have to go all the way around the cafe if they want to order a second drink or meal.

I would therefore recommend ensuring that you ask for everything you need in one go to avoid unwanted exercise.

A look at the outdoor seating. (Marie Wilson)

This is because the café has a one-way system to protect its customers.

Further safety measures in place include regular cleaning of tables and chairs, which have been positioned to enable social distancing and help ensure the safety of all customers and staff.

Visitors are able to enjoy the park and its views, especially from the two recently-opened viewing platforms which offer views as far as Lincoln Cathedral, Newark and Belvoir Castle.

Parents will also be pleased to know that near the cafe there is a playground area - which is the main attraction for younger visitors.

The experience is definitely a must for those wanting to escape the busy city and enjoy a hot drink or a meal in the heart of nature.