I enjoyed my first cycle in the sunshine at the weekend. Actually sunny. Enough to warrant sunscreen. After a whizz around Richmond Park, we ended up in delightful Barnes and found a great lunch spot near the river on the Barnes/Mortlake border that I wanted to share with you.

The quintessentially English tearoom, Orange Pekoe offers a sunny pavement lunch spot – every wobbly metal table packed. We were lucky to get a seat, so I would recommend booking in advance. I’d also recommend the eggs benedict (but make it before midday to order from the breakfast menu). Afternoon tea is a specialty – a choice of teas, finger sandwiches, scones and cake (in quantities to trouble your waistline). When it comes to recommending the tea, I wouldn’t know where to start – this place is all about the teas. Luckily they have a tea sommelier on hand to help you out with your choice.

On entering Orange Pekoe, it has a vintage feel, with cakes and sandwiches displayed temptingly on the counters and fancy tea canisters lining the walls. You can also buy packets of loose leaf tea to take home – I wish I’d taken saddle bags to load up before jumping back on my bike!

And the name Orange Pekoe before you ask? Orange Pekoe as a grade of tea denotes a fine, large leaf tea and all their tea’s are of the largest leaf.