Fancy a pear and ginger muffin? Or how about a Guinness and chocolate Brownie? You never know which mouth-watering homemade cakes will pop up on the menu at the Bridewell Tearoom in Wymondham Heritage Museum - thanks to the baking skills of the volunteers.

Tearoom manager Helen Munday says: “All the cakes, scones and flapjacks are made by the volunteers. We’re thinking of doing a cake of the month.”

Helen took over managing the Tearoom this year and is delighted with the number of volunteers who have come forward to help serve drinks and snacks to museum visitors. Previously there were only sufficient volunteers to open during the week but thanks to a drive for additional helpers, it is now open at weekends and will be for the rest of the season. A WhatsApp group has been established to keep the volunteers in touch and this is proving invaluable to Helen when she organises the rota.

The Tearoom is situated in the part of the museum which was once the exercise yard for prisoners on remand when The Bridewell was a police station. Helen has been looking at ways to improve the room. “I’ve put on some tablecloths and maintenance manager David Brackenbury has made me some attractive table numbers. We’ve got a coffee machine now so we can serve frothy lattes and cappuccinos and we have a wide range of teas. There are soft drinks, crisps and chocolate bars for the children.”

Helen points out that there are not many places in Wymondham where you can get a cuppa and a snack in the afternoon. “We’re open until 4pm. We welcome groups and well-behaved dogs are allowed. We have a loyalty card, buy six drinks and the seventh is free.”

Access to the Tearoom is free, though popping in for a cuppa is also the perfect opportunity to have a look around the museum where normal admission prices apply. Entry is through either the museum’s main entrance which provides disabled access or from Browick Road, ideal for dropping in for a bite when you pick up the children from the school opposite and they need something to keep them going before tea.

Helen has other ideas to promote the Tearoom. “I’d like a banner at the Browick Road entrance with a picture of the Tearoom on it so people can see what’s inside. Perhaps a couple of chairs outside, and there is the courtyard garden where people can sit and enjoy their drink.”

Wymondham Heritage Museum and The Bridewell Tearoom are open Monday-Thursday 1pm-4pm, Thursday and Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday and Sunday 1pm-4pm. More information at thewhm.org.uk. If you would like to join the Tearoom team, email Helen Munday at tearoom@thewhm.org.uk.