The Watering Can

At the entrance to Greenbank Park, with its lake and leafy vistas, The Watering Can offers both inside and outside space, and also a bit of inside-outside space with a dining area partially covered by a conservatory-style glass roof and open panels looking out onto the green space.

Open from 9am, it’s the perfect place to head before or after a spin round the park, with or without your furry friend. The Full English includes Aigburth smoked bacon, sausages from local family butchers Bexley’s and Stornaway black pudding, the vegetarian breakfast has pan-fried halloumi and free-range eggs, and the vegan includes falafels and smashed avocado; all with sourdough toast. Fancy something smaller? There’s a croissant croque madame and a home-cured salmon, whipped goat’s cheese and beetroot number, buttermilk pancakes with fresh berries and even a nice simple bacon barm. Sunday lunch sees roasts, including Welsh lamb, beef rump, free-range chicken with pork and caramelised leek stuffing, and a vegan and gluten-free nut roast with porcini mushrooms and borlotti beans, all with roasties, carrot and swede, green veg medley, Yorkshire and gravy. The daily menu changes with the seasons, as you might expect when you’re sat so close to nature, and includes sandwiches, such as NYC deli-style pastrami, Emmental and sauerkraut ciabatta, and small plates, like pomegranate-glazed chicken thighs or scallops with butternut squash puree and crispy kale. The mains are split into meat, fish and vegan, and include breadcrumbed turkey Milanese, classic beer-battered fish and chips, and coconut vegetable curry with flatbread.

Puds include a massive choice of homemade cakes or old favourites the likes of sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream. There’s also a cheeseboard, and it serves beer, wine and cocktails seven days a week, including mulled wine in winter and Aperol Spritz come summer.