IT MAY be somewhat off the beaten track, but more and more people are discovering the pleasure of a drive through the countryside to The Grange restaurant which serves freshly made food in attractive surroundings with exceptionally friendly service.

Best of all, a visit helps support the wonderful work of the charity Hearing Dogs for the Deaf.

Behind the scenes at The Grange at Saunderton, experts in the training centre are teaching dogs to provide life-changing support to people whose deafness hinders their daily life.

Here in the restaurant, we can’t see the dogs, but we do enjoy the friendly service of the chef team and volunteers, with profits aiding the charity’s work.

And since the restaurant is dog-friendly - in fact, a notice in the spacious car park reads “Please bring your dog in” - you’re quite likely to eat your meal while local ramblers and diners call in with dogs on leads.

We went for a late breakfast and were welcomed by a friendly volunteer at the door, shown to a table and presented with the menu.

Lots of choice here, from the full English (and a vegan option) to fresh waffles topped with avocado/salmon/egg or fresh berries/yoghurt. Or soft-boiled egg and soldiers, or porridge.

My choice was ‘posh toast’ of smashed avocado, poached egg and vine tomatoes on sourdough, while my friend enjoyed a fresh waffle topped with avocado, bacon and poached egg - both perfectly cooked and presented.

This is clearly a popular place to meet up with mates, and as we nattered over big pots of tea the lunch-time diners began to arrive.

There’s a full lunch menu, all freshly cooked, with cakes, snacks and drinks served all day, and we made a date to meet back here soon.

The Grange restaurant is roomy and bright in a modern barn style with big patio windows giving views of the Chiltern countryside.

Alongside is the charity’s gift shop, full of doggie-themed goods.

The restaurant is unique in the area, we learned, for its audio quality: it has an acoustic wooden floor and special ‘floating clouds’ above which maximise the ability of hard-of-hearing guests to join in conversations.

A great boon for people who struggle in noisy places.

The restaurant is open from 9am to 4pm every day (except December 24, 25, 26, 31 and New Year’s Day).

The Grange, Haw Lane, Saunderton HP27 9NS, phone 01844 873500 or go online to www.thegrangesaunderton.org.uk or www.hearingdogs.org.uk