St Conan’s Kirk is a remarkable piece of architecture on the banks of Loch Awe, and its tiny tea room, open in the summer months, offers a chance to enjoy the historic site’s charms from a different perspective.

Housed in the church’s recently refurbished gate house, the tea room offers a good range of snacks, home baking and hot drinks – though if you only stop in for a quick coffee, be warned that you may find yourself led astray by temptations such as the full cream tea, or a hot waffle with cream and berries.

Wherever you sit, you’ll enjoy the comfortable, cosy, setting, and friendly, efficient service, but if you are a first time visitor, we recommend heading through to the back room for the table next to the window.

The view from here takes in St Conan’s Kirk’s lovely grounds, the railway line, the loch and the mystical Kilchurn castle. You would struggle to find a more magical place to enjoy that quiet cup of tea.

• The Kirk Cafe tea room is open daily from 10am during the summer holidays (check locally for opening info from August onwards) with profits supporting the church’s upkeep and restoration. More information at www.stconanskirk.org.uk