Birdwoods Gallery & Sweet Shop

nice environment

My idea of a peaceful lunch or afternoon tea retreat in the country, and just 3km from Havelock North. The relocated old church hall now houses a gallery and shop of local and imported arts and crafts. A light luncheon can be taken in the conservatory or on the lawn below, with views across to the outside sculpture gallery, a world of metal and stone warthogs, sheep, birds, crocodile, giraffes and other life forms. It’s elegant, yet unpretentious, and lovely to wander around under the trees. Soul stirring music which hails from another land floats through the air. The menu is simple, the coffee a plunger blend, but there’s always the right amount of savoury and cake. I cannot ever resist the moist gluten free brownie dressed with berry coulis and cream or yoghurt.

Never has plunger coffee tasted so good and it’s award-winning Hawthorne French press plunger coffee at that. It’s a real treat to enjoy a pot of tea or coffee with yummy treats – sweet chocolate brownie served with berry compote and yoghurt, fresh scones and jam, lemon tart or savoury scones, quiche and tasty toasted sandwiches as well as a daily selection of cakes and slices – in such a unique environment just 3km from Havelock North village. Birdwoods Gallery is housed in a refurbished church hall and stocked with decorative arts from local and South African artists. Make the most of the conservatory, outdoor terrace and sculpture garden.

Stories abound at this little local gem! South African born owners Bruce and Louise Stobart showcase the best from local and African artists in a relocated late19th century church hall from Waipawa. Tea and light lunches are served in the conservatory, or on the terrace overlooking the life-sized sculpture garden. A favourite for kiddies of all ages is the Birdwoods Sweet Shop in an old colonial-style building built from reclaimed materials - remember humbugs, sherbets, acid drops and aniseed balls...