Datchworth Coffee - Datchworth

3 Datchworth Green, Datchworth, Hertfordshire, SG3 6TL
Datchworth Coffee is a front. Not for criminal enterprise (although, I don’t know what happens in these small, country villages) but for a high-end catering business that uses this secluded spot as a sort of showroom for their wares. Here, they provide the perfect place to show-off cakes and coffees, an exquisite breakfast menu and light lunches from the idyllic location of a tiny Hertfordshire village.
​
Datchworth itself is the sort of place that has four pubs, but only one with a car park, a corner shop and not much else. It’s minuscule size, and location between several bigger towns, meant the I expected little from its local coffee shop, questioning if it even sold speciality coffee. A glorious old house that leans slightly and has an old, red telephone box out front, now repurposed as a village library, the physical shop is stunning. However, I had visions of it being a sort of nice little nook that had a posh espresso machine and then used whatever beans they could get their hands on but this is a proper coffee spot, some serious work has gone into it. First of all, a prime location for cyclists and day trippers, it makes the most of its country location and its wooden beamed charm. Dog and welly friendly, it throws open its arms to walkers, and has a space out the back of its premises for when the sun doth shine. The La Marzocco on the countertop provides some assurance, as it’s rare you invest in one of these without any intent to use it properly. It has been known, but not often.

Inside is almost the polar opposite to the external features with the rustic charm giving way to warm and modern countertops and low hanging lighting that provides that welcoming yellow glow that led lights seem to have lost. Exposed brickwork and wooden beams jostle for position against the wood panelled serving area and sleek breakfast bar that holds a modern feel to it all.

I arrive late Sunday, so it’s near closing time and I don’t hold out much hope for decent scran. There are some delectable looking cakes on the counter but nothing immediately jumps out as plant-based and I think better of causing a stir so close to the end of the day. I sceptically enquired as to whether an oat latte can be down as I’ve been burnt too many times by remote cafés that haven’t quite caught up with veganism. Not an issue at all, I’m informed, as I slide into the bay window that peers out onto the street, and I am shocked to be served up a creamy and smooth latte that has rich, caramel undertones with a balanced and sweet mouthfeel that provides a splendidly traditional but unobtrusive taste. It was one of the better coffees I’ve had for quite some time! It turns out the London roasters Campbell and Some have got as far as the Hertfordshire countryside and are nibbling away at the market in small pockets such as this one. I've sampled their coffee in commuter towns such as St. Albans but to find them setting up shop in the outer reaches of the region is a pleasant surprise.


Perhaps I should be more open minded on my search for great caffeine dealers because this feels like one heck of a find. A stunning countryside location and coffee to match feels almost too good to be true and I look forward to dropping by again soon, perhaps next time with food in mind.