Visitors to an historic Leicestershire country park can now enjoy coffee, cakes and pizzas as well as a scenic walk. Ancient Burrough Hill, near Melton Mowbray, is now home to a brand new business, Coffee Shack, which operates out of a converted horse box.
The horse box is situated in a lovely area, close to the car park, where customers can sit and take in the views of the surrounding countryside – as well as the horses in the neighbouring field. The business has been opened by local mum Katie Hibbert, who is keen to encourage more people to visit the local beauty spot, which is home to a well-preserved Iron Age hill fort.
As well as a range of coffees, teas and soft drinks are available. You can also get snacks including chocolate bars, ice creams and cakes made by Katie’s sister in law, who runs Lowesby-based catering company The Shooting Chefs. The cake selection varies each week and includes treats such as lemon drizzle cake, flapjacks and chocolate brownies.
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Coffee Shack also has a wood-fired pizza oven, which was constructed by Katie’s partner, Philip, who is a builder. Pizza nights are held every Thursday evening, between 5pm and 8pm, and there are plans to also offer pizzas on Saturdays too.
“In the evening we add lights and tablecloths and put out hay bales for people to sit on. Or, they can take a blanket and go up the hill and watch the sunset with a pizza,” said Katie.
The pizza bases are sourdough and according to Katie, all ingredients are locally sourced. With prices from £7, customers can take their pick from toppings including margherita, piggy and fungi, pepperoni and ‘hot candy’ which includes candied jalapenos from Fleckney-based company, Chilli Pot Food Company, which is run by Katie’s sister.
(Image: Becky Jones)
‘Mini Monsters’ pizzas, priced from £4, are also available for children. “We aim to be reasonably priced because we want people to enjoy themselves and we want them to come back,” said Katie.
Coffee Shack is open daily, weather dependent, from 9.30am until 5pm.
