The final few days before the long school summer break are always held in sacred regard here. It's the last chance for six weeks to savour complete quiet, unadulterated by Black Veil Brides screaming out of Amy's room or the incessant clicking of Toby's lego bricks constantly being taken apart and reassembled. Keeping Toby occupied over the summer hols is always a full time job and I will not have much time to call my own over the coming weeks. So today I am being very indulgent and sitting peacefully at the end of the garden with my knitting. At the moment I'm playing around with ideas for Fair Isle sweater patterns (though there won't be a pattern for a while as I still have lots of tweaking to do) …
At the end of the garden, sitting with knitting, is my perfect place to be and right now I'm feeling very lucky indeed to be right here. Though the place that my friends and I spent yesterday afternoon in was also rather perfect, The Mudlarks Garden Cafe in Hertford.
In a world where high street cafes are often multi-national affairs and look the same no matter which town you're in, such a unique and a locally run establishment is a true gem.
There's a lovely friendly feel to the seating, with cosy sofas and armchairs, little nooks and sweet tables with mis-matched chairs. Hot drinks are served in pretty vintage china tea cups with proper leaf tea in teapots arriving on a tray with milk jugs and tea-strainers. Food is freshly made, organic, vegetarian/vegan and very tempting (I took these pictures after the lunchtime crowd had been and gone and so most of the quiches, salads and cakes had already been devoured).
There are books and toys for little ones, a table football game in the outbuilding and a very pretty courtyard garden full of flowers, bunting and more seating.
But what really makes this cafe so very special is it's involvement with and support of the local community. The Mudlarks community garden is a charity very close to my heart. Their stated aim is
to integrate people with learning difficulties and mental health issues into the community through gardening whilst also promoting conservation and allowing people of all abilities to learn and work together.
They also support young people with autism and learning difficulties beyond school and this is something which I'm hoping will be a part of Toby's future when he leaves school.
Many of the ingredients used at the new cafe come from the community garden project and it's a nice feeling to enjoy a well-made cup of tea and delicious lunch and know that it is a virtuous one too because of all those people that are helped and supported.
I know that many of you that visit here with me are not even in the UK, let alone local to Hertford but if you are ever in the area please make a detour and stop by the Mudlarks garden cafe for a cuppa and a slice of cake (and remember there's the lovely Creative Sanctuary just around the corner selling beautiful fabrics, yarn and haberdashery).
I hope you don't mind me plugging this cafe, I've not received an incentive of any kind for writing about it and I've done so purely because I wholeheartedly admire their support of autistic and special needs adults (something that has special resonance for our family).
Right, I'm off now to make the most of the last day of term. I hope to pop in from time to time over the next 6 weeks (if Toby allows me). So until then, thanks for stopping by x
………………………………………………….
Mudlarks Garden Cafe, 12 Railway Street, Hertford, SG14 1BG
Open Tuesday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm
PS: a couple of people have emailed to ask about donating to the Mudlarks charity. They would deeply appreciate any financial support and if you wish to donate you can do so via their webpage or on their charitychoice page. Thanks x
little cotton rabbits 
What a wonderful place Julie, it’s exactly the sort of cafe I love . As a vegetarian I wish I lived a little nearer so I could sample their menu and their leaf tea ( I’m a big fan of leaf tea). What a brilliant ethos too!!!
Loving those cute little fair isle sweaters , it always a joy to see your beautiful bunnies! 🙂
Enjoy your last day on your own for a while,
V x
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Dearest Julie, as ever, I am sending calming thoughts to you for the long summer holidays. The fair isle sweaters are looking fab, as is that beautiful cafe. I think a visit there may be in order after the holidays. Xx
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it looks like a wonderful place to charge your batteries ahead of the summer xxx
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Hi Julie, What a lovely cafe you have in the area and such a wonderful place indeed. I love the decor and the whole concept of this place! I wish I could stop in but it’s a long way away! Your knitting haven in the garden looks so inviting. The sweaters are adorable and of course the bunnies are out of this world. I’m in the process of making my first bunny….head, body and one leg so far and so far so good! Loving the progress. Hope your summer goes well and you have a few moments. xoRobin
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The need for quiet time is understandable. Sometimes we need to hear ourselves think. Love the boy rabbits in progress. Traveling to the UK is on my list. Mudlark’s looks like my kind of place and a nearby fabric shop? Oh my!
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What a wonderful cafe and I love the fact that they support a much hidden segment of society. Enjoy the peace you have left before the hols, sending calm and happy wishes your way as I understand how fraught the change in routine is with our special people.
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I have to say this post came just when I needed to see something lovely. My Facebook feed has been filled with horrible world tragedies lately. This looks like a charming respite. I wish I could travel to England to enjoy the peace and quiet. Thank you for sharing.
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Those fair isle jumpers are beautiful! and the cafe looks good too, I live in Hertfordshire so may take a visit sometime
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Hope you have had a lovely day – you deserve it. The jumpers look so cute – am just about to buy the jumper pattern in time for my few weeks of calm before the new term starts when I am planning lots of knitting. Have made 9 bunnies and 2 elephants so far and all have been received with great joy and are so well loved.
If I am ever in the area would love to visit the café – sounds just my sort of place and as an ex- special needs teacher know how vital proper supported employment is to people.
Take care and hope you have a good summer.
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What a wonderful place for recreation and inspiration ! And I simply love your little rabbits – I have to knit one myself sometime I think 😉
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How sweet those new little rabbits look on your table, Julie. The garden cafe looks wonderful, I know I would love it there. I hope you have a good summer and find a little bit of quiet time every now and then..
Helen xox
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Enjoy your last moment of peace and solace my dear friend and I hope and pray that the summer holidays are not as strenuous and demanding and exhausting as in times past. One can hope yes?
Oh how I wish I could come and sit in your little garden with you and go an afternoon to your cafe. What a neat cafe! Not only is it eye appealing and begs to be sat in and the time there relished but after you told us about how they are so open to the community and to our special babies…. it became not just eye appealing but heart appealing as well. I so love it when people do these sort of things! I would that others would take note and follow by example. Can you imagine what a world that would be!?
Good luck and peaceful thoughts and vibes to you from across the ocean with much love wrapped all around.
XXXX
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What a lovely looking cafe. A much nicer place to meet for knitting occasionally! Enjoy your last few quiet hours Julie but I hope you can enjoy the holidays too. See you in September hopefully. Xx
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Thanks for sharing your visit to the café — too charming and I can understand your warm feelings for such a place!
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Mind?! I LOVE when a favourite place is shared. I have a list of such places for when D and I make our twice yearly UK visit. Thanks for this heads up.
PS The new sweater designs are darling. Can’t wait.
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The cafe looks like my kind of place, wish I could go. I hope you and your family have a lovely summer and thanks for the bunny photos. They’re an inspiration for me to try and make mine not look like they were knitted by a chimpanzee.
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What a wonderful cafe! – The world needs more businesses like this!
Love your little spot i your garden for your knitting.
Love Leanne
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Have a good summer!
Penny
x
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Your bunny sweaters are totally gorgeous but more than that, I want to wish you ‘happy knitting’ before the school break begins. Another special needs parent and I were talking about this the other day (at knitting night of course) and the rest of the parents generally do not ‘get it’. I am knitting a shawl and some socks for my sanity, and I see that bunny knitting does the same for you. Happy Knitting to you and I will be thinking of your for the next six weeks (our break is nearer 9 weeks but we don’t have the long Easter Break you do!)
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Lovely bunnies! The cafe looks cute, wish I could visit but this English girl lives in Canada!
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I hope you’ve had a lovely soothing day and I hope that the summer holidays are good for all of you.
The cafe looks lovely and I completely admire the fantastic work they’re doing. Projects like this are such a life-line for both the people they help and their families.
Take care xx
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The café looks like a wonderful place! I hope that you have a great summer. xx
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What a wonderful enterprise Mudlarks looks to be! And I do like the look of the mitts in your last post.
Wishing you a just right summer Julie, not too hot, not too cold, and full yet peaceful x
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I have followed your blog for a while. I saw the little cute bunnies and then I started to read more. I like what you write. I also have a son with autism and I recognise much of what you say. I also have a grown up daughter who live in GB, and who knows, one day I may have an opportunity to visit your nice little cafe. Best wishes from Sweden
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What a gorgeous little cafe and for such a wonderful cause, it looks so comfy and relaxed in there too ….. wish I lived closer but maybe I will visit one day. We have a sweet cafe quite close to where I live who support people with learning difficulties too, I shall make it my aim to pop in there for a coffee very soon.
Oh. Those. Bunnies ….. the podgy belly with the stripy tights makes me want to weep ….. so divine
Wishing you a calm and happy summer~time Julie with at least a little peaceful knitting time at the bottom of your garden x
love Jooles x x x
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Enjoy the last few days of your freedom Julie. The cafe looks lovely too. Your bunnies are fabulous. Can you share the yarns and colors you used for the bunnies? I love the heather-y look of the bunnies and the clothes. I can’t wait for the next offering (pattern) but I hope you enjoy your time before the storm.
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oh, what a beautiful looking cafe, and I love the mandate as well- how wonderful to have a great space that contributes to the community like that. And your bunnies are looking more gorgeous than ever, as well!
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May you have lots of sunshine in your life especially over these next few weeks. Even when the skies are gray.
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I’m glad you shared about Mudlarks, it sounds like a wonderful place that is doing very good work. It reminds me of a young man in my local area who happens to have Down Syndrome and who runs a small restaurant of his own. He’s an inspiration to many here. I am so glad you enjoyed your last bit of free time. I understand how you feel. I do not have the challenges you face with Toby but I get much less time to myself during the long summer break with my children around and I really miss the quiet and the productivity. I’m thankful for the additional time with them too, of course, but it changes things.
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Have a nice summer break.
Best regards,
Juffrouw Mier
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loved the blog and also the pics ! Lovely 🙂
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Have a lovely summer Julie! And I am looking forward to the new Fair Isle sweaters, perfect for the colder autumd days.
Kindest regards,
Hannie
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lovely cafe and so are the rabbits in there jumpers ,have a nice time with your family julie.
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It must be very new, Pam sent me the link to your blog, with a suggestion we meet there for knitting next Friday – I live in Hertford and didn’t know it was there, although I do remember it was being ‘worked on’ last time I passed. I lwalked past today when I went into town and it does look lovely. Have a peaceful summer, and hopefully see you in September xx
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Such a beautiful post Julie, thank you. I love the little cafe, just my style. I have just purchased your bunny patterns and I’m nearly finished one little girl! Thank you for such a comprehensive explanation for each step, I’m enjoying the work. Enjoy the school holidays, I hope they float along with joy and peace. Your bunnies are looking so very happy to be here although perhaps a bit playful and mischievous.
Jenny
Cronulla, NSW Australia
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Just gorgeous bunnies as ever – and exactly the kind of cafe that I would choose to eat in. I wish you a happy summer holidays.
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Hi Julie
Mudlarks looks a lovely cafe. It’ sounds wonderful what they are doing there, too. Love the Fair Isle jumpers especially the gorgeous dark brown one. Enjoy your peace.
Thinking of you. On IG as zoesknittingbag
Zoe
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Thanks for sharing Mudlarks…we love cafe life in lovely places like this one, especially when they care for other people too! Love and hugs for a n outdoor summer, as peaceful as it can be!
Jenni xxx
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You talk about quiet time but looking at your post is calming for me!!!!
Thanks for the beautiful pics.
Miss xx
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Oh what a wonderful cafe–and community project. Will save the link so we can make a detour the next time we’re in that direction. And loving the bunnies too 🙂 xx
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That looks like such a lovely day… sitting in the garden knitting 🙂
The cafe also looks great, and for such a wonderful cause 🙂
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Gorgeous looking cafe and love their ethos. Very lucky to have a wonderful cafe in Skipton near where I live to go to knit and natter crop. It was there that saw lady making your wonderful elephant last week. Totally smitten. So happy she shared your details. x
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What a beautiful café Julie, my kind of place too 🙂 and the wee fair isle sweaters are so cute. such a joy looking at your pics always brings a smile to my face thank you for sharing…Love to you and your family xx
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Hello! It’s my first time here and I want to tell you that I’m totally in love with your bunnies (and other creatures I have seen in previous posts), their sweaters…everything is fantastic. I love your headear too.
Besos from Argentina and congratulations!
Silvina
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Gosh, I surely do enjoy your blog.
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