You know that scenario, when you are travelling and starving, but you have no idea, when you pull in to a small town or village, which is the best place to eat? You want the one which has good décor, nice service, and a good menu, tea and coffee of quality, decent produce. A place run by people who just get it? Shouldn’t be hard – but it is. So in the spirit of sharing every time I come across people who do get it, let me introduce Gillam’s. It is a tearoom and deli in the southern Lakeland market town of Ulverston. Lots of you will be heading that way this summer.

Gillam’s is a family business. Doug Gillam is in the picture with his 12-year-old daughter Jess. She works in the tearoom on Saturdays and says things like, ‘Is that everything?’ before scooting off with her notebook to the kitchen. She is as efficient a waitress as I have ever come across. What is more, sometimes Jess busks outside on her saxophone.

Doug’s family have been shopkeepers here since 1892. Now he runs the business with his wife Shirley (who was too busy to nip outside for a photocall). I took a friend for breakfast while reviewing nearby. We loved it. Free range eggs on toast (£3.30), a veggie BLT (marinated fried tofu, lettuce, tomato and mayo) that rare thing – a meatless option with some protein, for £4.25. The tea menu has dozens of loose leaf varieties – which is the new, hot thing (I’ll do a separate post on tea soon).

Gillam’s, 64 Market St, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 7LT. Tea Guild member and member of the Vegetarian Society (though caters to all).