I REALLY don’t think I should tell you about this place. No really, I’m in two minds because nestled behind the Rodwell Trail is the most amazing little café and art gallery and I’m tempted to keep it all to myself.

I discovered Weymouth’s hidden treasure, The Full Gamut, through a friend who took me there for afternoon tea.

Since then I have been back almost every month. The tiny gallery and cafe on Chickerell Road by the railway bridge has only three tables and a couple of comfy chairs so groups larger than five are recommended to book.

However, the intimate café provides the perfect surrounding for lunch or afternoon tea.

It's the sort of place that people can come in for a quiet cup of tea and end up making new friends.

Visitors can also browse the art, sculpture, jewellery and hand-crafted gifts which give the place its unique character and relaxed atmosphere.

The exhibitions change regularly and showcase some of the best talent in Dorset.

My afternoon tea partner and I decided on this occasion to go for a personal favourite, the sharing platter, which has goats cheese, feta, stuffed peppers, vine leaves with rice and a selection of salami, olives, hummus and salad and bread with oil and balsamic vinegar.

The portion was generous and everything was fresh and tasty, with the stuffed vine leaves and peppers with cream cheese being a particular treat.

Other options are available including samosas and quiche or scones, muffins and pastries if you have a sweet tooth.

The owner, Kimberley MacKeown, runs the place single-handedly and is so friendly and welcoming – nothing is too much trouble.

We washed down our platter with a mixture of fresh filter coffee and ginger beer.

The café also boasts an extensive tea selection including spiced teas, black teas, specialty teas, herbal and fruit teas. With this in mind I opted to try the pomegranate and raspberry tea, which was really fruity.

We then finished off with the double chocolate and strawberries and ice cream, which brought the lunch to a perfect close.

In a world increasingly dominated by soulless corporate coffee establishments, this café truly deserves recognition for its wonderful food, great value, atmosphere and uniqueness.

It is a gem and I urge you to visit – you won’t be disappointed.

The Full Gamut art gallery and coffee house will be open from every Saturday and Sunday from 11am- 6pm until Easter when it will open for five days a week. Call 01305 830433.

My The Full Gamut bill:

Filter coffee x 2: £2.10

Ginger beer: £1.60

Pomegranate and raspberry tea: £1.75

Sharing platter: £11.50

Ice cream x 2: £3

TOTAL: £19.95