In the heart of a small village in the South Downs of Hampshire is a hidden gem.

Cuppacheeno is located in the community-run village shop in West Meon and is a popular stopping point for walkers and cyclists alongside locals.

Owner Becky Smith has been running the cafe for nine years and in that time the outside garden has doubled in size and shelter has been added for outdoor dining. There is also a bike rack and a bicycle pump if the tires need attention!

Serving breakfast, lunch and refreshments, there is something on the menu for everyone with vegetarian and gluten free options available.

When asked what her personal recommendation was for people to try, Becky listed a few choices.

“Our bacon Brie and cranberry toastie is very popular,” she said.

“Along with our sugar and fat free fruit cake and our syrupy flapjacks.”

I went for breakfast and chose the full English breakfast, while a family member went for the crumpets.

The full English breakfast comes with one gluten free sausage, one slice of bacon, egg (I chose to have mine scrambled), a hash brown, beans (I went without), mushroom, tomato and toast.

Like any English breakfast, it might sound like a big serving and you think ‘how am I going to eat all of that?!’ However, what I loved about Cuppacheeno’s was the size was just enough to fill you up without feeling like you were stuffed.

It was hearty, full of flavour and it all went together in a delicious melody. Becky thinks carefully about the size of the dishes because walkers and cyclists don’t want a very large meal when they are on the go.

Becky said: “I like to focus on the quality of the food and reasonable sizes.Cyclists and walkers love our homemade cakes.”

I had a mocha with oat milk as well. A lot of places either put too much chocolate or too much coffee in but this one was perfect!

My family member praised the crumpets and noted how the butter had enough time to soften by the time it reached the table. With the marmite and the cappuccino she said it was a lovely breakfast in a beautiful setting.

It was too cold to sit outside so we sat indoors and it felt so charming to be surrounded by the little gifts and items you could buy from the village shop. I will admit I did end up leaving with a few pieces after breakfast!

Becky commented: “It’s great being attached to the village shop, even on a quiet, rainy day in the winter. It is still such a warm, welcoming place and always someone to have a chat to. Our locals are very loyal and we see them multiple times a week!”

So, why should you stop at Cuppacheeno on your next visit to the South Downs?

“We’d love to see you and support small independent businesses, there’s not many of them hanging in there still,” Becky said.