The old Grindleford Railway Station in Derbyshire, UK now serves as a café. In the past, this particular café had a bit of a reputation as the owner, Phil Eastwood, was very well known for speaking his mind on many subjects from naughty children to politics.
If he didn't voice his opinion he put a poster up! Sadly, his wife Margaret died in 1996 and Phil passed away in 2007. The café stayed within the family and is now run by his son, Phillip. I have never been to the café before, so I never met Phil.
I wasn't sure if the heart on the door was to lull us into a false sense of security.
My first thought as I entered the café was that there was a funny smell. I can't describe the smell. It wasn't really offensive, but neither was it pleasant. It wasn't coming from us or the friendly dog that we met in the queue either.
When we placed our order, we were given a number. When your food is ready, they will shout the number, and you then go and collect your food at the counter. For some strange reason, they shout through a microphone even though you are practically in the same room. Whether they think you are deaf or whether the woman shouting used to be a bingo caller, I have no idea, but she nearly burst my eardrums!
We ordered lattes, a veggie burger with salad and a cheese and tomato toastie with salad.
When you finish your food, you go into the next room and place your dirty pots on the counter. I was tempted to shout "FINISHED" just to get back at the woman on the microphone, but I thought better of it.
The walls were covered in railway memorabilia. I liked the old signs hanging on the wall, especially the 'Ladies Waiting Room'.
Verdict: The coffee and toasties were good but my veggie burger was ... interesting. It was edible but I don't think I'd order it again.
