The Lazy Cow, Annstead Farm
If you’re travelling the coast road between Beadnell and Seahouses, there’s a little turning that’s very easy to drive past.
Try not to.
Because tucked away at Annstead Farm is The Lazy Cow, a converted horse box, a handful of tables in the Northumberland sunshine and, quite possibly, a cake worth changing your plans for.
The Lazy Cow is run by Beth, who somehow manages to produce coffee that would happily hold its own against any of our favourite coffee stops — and then completely ruins any attempt at restraint by putting a counter full of homemade cakes beside it.
And when I say homemade, I mean properly homemade.
Beth bakes them fresh here on the family farm.
We could probably give you a considered description of texture, flavour and delicate crumb.
But honestly?
My tongue is tingling just thinking about them.
The setting is wonderfully simple. Most of the seating is outside in a sunny little spot that seems to catch the light for much of the day. There’s also a covered area, which being Northumberland is less a luxury and more sensible forward planning.
Dogs are very welcome too, so it’s an easy place to call into after a walk on the beach or simply as a coffee stop while wandering between Beadnell and Seahouses.
There’s ample parking and toilets on site, so you don’t need to make it complicated.
Turn in. Park up. Order coffee.
Then tell yourself you’re only going to look at the cakes.
Good luck with that.