or meal and atmosphere. However this is well-known by many locals, as Carrington's has been serving tea to Cambridge shoppers since 1983. And by the grey heads of most of the customers, they have probably been visiting for scones throughout those twenty-odd years.

The counter begins with a wide range of cakes, caramel slices and pastries, proceeds to display tempting-looking baguettes with unusual fillings like tuna and tapenade, curves into a salad bar of nutritious mixtures of brightly coloured veg, next hot plates keep warm freshly-made quiches and steaming bakes and pies, finally a noisy coffee machine offers an extra energy kick and the revival is complete.

Carrington's have an army of staff, who all ensure every ticks along nicely as it can get quite busy, it was nearly full when we visited on Monday lunchtime. There is more seating that you might think though, a square room opens out furthest from the entrance. The café was refurbished in 2005 and has a fresh and modern look, with sophisticated lighting, white walls and large pictures of succulent fruit and veg and attractive images of local tourist sites.

We enjoyed a milk latte and a cherry scone sweet light scone with a crispy edge for a reasonable price. Carrington's really is a local secret - start spreading it today.