Hello from all of us at Hilltop! Autumn is slowly tiptoeing in, bringing cooler mornings, cosy jumpers, and the promise of golden leaves. Here at Floral Days Cafe, October is one of our favourite times of year - not only does it mean hearty, warming dishes are back on the menu, but it also gives us a chance to showcase some very exciting new specials in our award-winning Floral Days Café.
We’ve been working closely with our wonderful Head Chef David and our trusted local suppliers to bring you something truly special this month. So grab a coffee, settle in, and let us tell you all about what’s cooking this month at Hilltop.
Our Sunday Roast is Back!
Now, we know a good roast is sacred. That’s why we’ve put extra care into creating a small, dedicated Sunday lunch menu so we can focus on bringing you the quality possible. Everything is made in-house, with ingredients sourced from our local suppliers right here in Essex. Supporting local is something we’re really proud of, and we think you can taste the difference in every bite!
On the menu? You’ll find joints like roasted sirloin of beef cooked to perfection, or a juicy roasted pork loin, served with a generous helping of seasonal veg, a giant home-cooked Yorkshire pudding (crispy on the outside, fluffy in the middle — just as it should be!), and rich homemade gravy.
Vegan Sunday Roast - if you're vegetarian or vegan and love a Sunday roast, we've got you covered too! Just ask our team for details on what's available on the day.
If you're not into a Sunday roast, our new slimmed-down Sunday menu also includes a choice of tasty whole-tail scampi served with chips or salad, or a delicious vegetarian quiche served with either chips and salad or roast potatoes and veg.
We'll also be offering light bites, including a smaller version of our Sunday roast (from 12pm), along with sandwiches and toasties. For the kids we'll be serving up a choice of chicken nuggets and chips or pasta with cheese - and don't forget that with every adult main meal purchased you can get a kid's meal for just £1!
And of course, no Sunday lunch is complete without dessert! We’ll be tempting you with three indulgent choices:
- Battenberg cheesecake: You loved it so much on our trial run last month that we decided to bring it back with its playful pink-and-yellow sponge twist.
- A classic Eton Mess, bursting with meringue, cream, and fresh fruit.
- Or a comforting apple and blueberry crumble with lashings of custard or cream.
It’s the perfect excuse to get together with the family, hang out, and enjoy a proper roast together without all the washing up.
So if you’ve been searching for a garden centre with restaurant that serves a proper roast, you’ve just found it.
We Did a Thing: We Now Stock Diddly Squat Farm Products!
You’ve seen the TV show, you’ve laughed at Jeremy's antics, and you may have even wondered whether Clarkson could really pull off running a farm. Well, we’re delighted to tell you that now you don’t have to drive all the way to the Cotswolds to find out!
Yes, you read that right — Hilltop is now proudly stocking a range of Diddly Squat Farm products from Jeremy Clarkson’s farm.
We’ve done this because, like Jeremy, we believe in celebrating British farming and British produce. Every product in the range supports UK farmers, and we love that it gives our customers a little taste of the Cotswolds.
On our shelves this October, you’ll find:
- Hand-cooked cheese & onion crisps made from potatoes grown at the farm.
- A fiery Habanero Chilli Chutney, perfect for cheeseboards.
- A smoky, rich Chilli Mayonnaise, ideal for sandwiches or dipping chips.
- And from Jeremy’s own Hawkstone Brewery, you can take home Hawkstone Lager (4% 330ml), Hawkstone IPA (4.8% 330ml), and Hawkstone Cider (5% 500ml).
We couldn’t be more thrilled to bring this fun and tasty range to you here in Weeley. Pop into our garden centre with café, grab a bag of crisps, and maybe a bottle of Hawkstone to enjoy with your dinner. Supporting British farming has never tasted so good.
Save the Date: Macmillan Coffee Morning
Now, this is one event that's very close to our hearts. On Monday 3rd November from 9am to 3pm, we’ll be hosting a very special Macmillan Coffee Morning at Floral Days Café.
We all know someone who has been touched by cancer, and Macmillan Cancer Support does incredible work helping people and their families through some of the most difficult times of their lives. From specialist nurses and helplines to practical financial advice, they are there every step of the way to make sure no one faces cancer alone.
This is our chance as a local community to give back — and enjoy some seriously good cake while we’re at it. For just £2 a slice, you can choose from a mouth-watering array of homemade cakes, all generously donated by our amazing suppliers, our café team, and even a few talented bakers from Floral Days Cafe.
We aim to raise £250 - that's 125 slices of cake - so whether you stay for a natter with friends, grab a slice (or two) to go, or decide to see just how many cakes you can manage in one sitting, every penny will go straight to Macmillan. And if you can’t make it on the day, you can still support by donating online by scanning the QR code below. Every little helps, and together we can make a big difference.
So mark the date in your diary, tell your friends, and join us for coffee, cake, and a cause worth supporting. Eat cake, help beat cancer.
When: Monday 3rd November, 9am–3pm
Where: Floral Days Café, Hilltop Garden Centre, Clacton Road, Weeley, Essex CO16 9DN
Why Visit Hilltop This October?
There’s always something new and exciting happening at Hilltop. Whether it’s a comforting Sunday Roast, a bag of Jeremy Clarkson’s famous crisps, or a slice of cake for a cause, our café is full of flavours to discover this October.
And because we’re part of your favourite Essex garden centre, you can make a real day of it. Browse our seasonal plants, check out our latest offers in the shop, and then unwind in our award-winning café with a well-deserved treat.
So if you’ve been looking for a garden centre and restaurant where the food is just as good as the plants, you’ve found the right place. Our Chef David and the whole team are ready to welcome you with a smile, a hot drink, and something delicious to brighten your day.
See You Soon!
This month is all about celebrating good food, local suppliers, and our lovely community — and we can’t wait to share it with you. Whether you’re joining us for our first Sunday Roast, trying out Clarkson’s crisps, or helping raise funds for Macmillan, thank you for being part of our Hilltop family.
From all of us here at Hilltop Garden Centre, happy October — and we’ll see you soon at Floral Days Café.
