Brownlow Cafe - Dacorum

Cafe is really poor now. It used to be brilliant with fresh food, scones and tray-bakes. Now the choice is poor, the tables aren’t as good and the parasols/shades have gone. This used to be a destination we looked forwards to. Now we are looking for somewhere else. We were there yesterday, really sunny, in the past it would have been full. It was almost empty. So sad.

We used to regularly pop into the former Brownlow cafe after a walk around Ashridge for a hot drink or lunch. Was very surprised when the NT opted not to renew the lease on a thriving, popular business, particularly when there was so much opposition to decision. Their promise to open a NT run, comparable cafe has not been delivered. Cafe is poorly managed, with inexperienced young staff and rude management. Recently queued for ages to be told literally no food left. Flustered but polite person on till suggested to his female manager they put up a sign or go down the huge queue to let people know, rather than waste their time. Unfortunately his initiative was met with a curt and rude response by the manager who basically said they will find out there’s no food when they get to front of queue. Very poor attitude. Range of food on offer, when available has also gone down hill. Will go elsewhere in future. Big mistake NT, huge.

Friendly staff but very limited food available due to staff shortages therefore no bacon rolls etc. Unfortunately this has happened to us before. On this occasion there were 4 staff members serving so it’s hard to understand why they say they were short. Shame to see the deterioration compared to what was there before.

Visited the cafe today , sandwhiches had run out by 12 o’clock one choice of over priced panini ! Childrens boxes were good but over priced ! The wait was huge and end product not worth the money will be taking a picnic next time

Used to drive 25 mile round trip to walk here and use the cafe, it’s been totally ruined, currently run by clueless school children, really slow service, poor choice, what we’re the National Trust thinking? So many unhappy customers.