Dining Out: Betton Farm, Racecourse Road, East Ayton

Visitors may already know about the tea room and restaurant, which serves up hearty meals, snacks and afternoon teas.

But Betton Farm, which is a social enterprise providing employment opportunities for adults with learning disabilities, also provides other services such as private functions, catering, a print and design service, plus leaflet distribution.

I’ve often visited the tea room on a Sunday and the first thing that strikes you is the warm welcome.

The staff are lovely and take time to chat to customers, many of whom they know by name.

The menu is pretty extensive and features a wide selection of main meals, sandwiches, paninis, light bites, afternoon tea, cakes and Sunday lunch.

Having visited a few times now, I can vouch for the Betton Farm quiche with homemade coleslaw and salad (£6.25), scrambled egg and smoked salmon muffin (£6.25) and scampi chips and peas (7.95).

However, on this visit we went for the Sunday lunch menu, which offers one course for £8.95, two for £11.45 or three for £14.95.

Though the starters sounded lovely (homemade soup or prawn cocktail) we went straight to the main course, with my mum and brother opting for the traditional roast with Yorkshire puddings, fresh vegetables, roast potatoes and gravy.

I asked for the same but without the meat – but there is a vegetarian option which is stuffed red pepper with mushroom stroganoff on a bed of rice (I can vouch for this too! Yes, I have been to Betton Farm once or twice before).

I am always impressed with how quickly the food arrives here – even though on a Sunday it’s generally really busy and a good idea to book ahead.

On a farm you’d hope for fresh seasonal veg, and we weren’t disappointed. The colourful array of red cabbage, broccoli, carrots and new potatoes were cooked to perfection and packed with flavour.

My mum and brother praised the quality of the meat and the Yorkshire puddings were a hit with all of us.

Thankfully with room left for dessert, I went for lemon cheesecake (£4.50), with my mum and brother choosing the mixed berry pavlova (£4.95).

The portions were generous and were a real treat – beautifully presented with great attention to detail.

There wasn’t a crumb left, which says it all really.

And best of all (in my opinion), when you’ve finished your meal you can wander down to the farmyard and look at piglets, chickens, rabbits, guinea pigs and even the resident goat.

Betton Farm certainly is ‘a farm with a difference’ and is well worth a visit.