Planted, Hertford

Panshanger Park, Thieves Ln, Hertford SG14 2WN

https://www.plantedcoffeeco.co.uk

Panshanger Park is a historic park and garden registered Grade II by English Heritage. Owned by the Tarmac group, who are excavating the land around it for gravel and other such resources, it’s a sort of trade-off where they dig up the countryside so protect parts around it and turn it over to nature. It is, a magnificent place Spanning from Hertford, through Cole Green and out the other side to Panshanghar in Welwyn Garden City, the park is a lengthy expanse of greenery great for a stroll in nature, a bit of bird spotting or just a lunchtime walk out of the office (working near the Panshangar end, this is how I usually spend my lunch hour)..
Approach from the Hertford end and you enter via a gravel lot that acts as a car park but, be warned, if you drove up you’ll suffer the indignity of having to pay for the pleasure of parking. Here, on the edge of the lot, just before you choose a route to delve off into the country grounds, sits Planted; a converted horse box that serves only plant based snacks and beverages - in effect a vegan coffee shop for you to start or end your walk at.
As a vegan myself, it’s such a relief to just go to places where you don’t have to worry about what’s on the menu and can just order an oat milk latte as the standard and hope they didn’t mishear you. But places like this have a special place in my heart because it means you can get out and about and pick up a little treat even when you weren’t expecting to. All too often have I been to places where people have pointed out a place to get a drink or cake and I’ve just had to forgo the experience altogether because I’m not catered for. Sure, it probably wasn’t the purpose of my visit but it would be nice to be included in the moment.
Planted seems I like a place you would naturally seek out for coffee. Unlikely to just rock up at a car park for caffeine and then leave, it’s charm is it’s location so you’ll likely be here for a walk. However, that doesn’t mean it rests on its laurels when it comes to its offerings, with smooth, treacly coffee and an array of pastries to really make my plant based heart flutter. How often is desired a Danish since my conversion to vegan living and been denied the flaky goodness and custardy centre is perhaps just one too many times and now I know, if I want one (followed by a short walk to burn off the calories again) at least I have a good option nearby.