CycleChatters' Cafe Recommendation Thread

[DCBassman]

The all important cake stop! Post your finds in this thread and help your fellow members fuel their rides!

Name, location, menu, service standards, cyclist friendliness etc and any other details you think are relevant would be useful.

Happy scoffing!


Two occasional bite stops in the West Devon village of Brentor, on/near NCN27.

First off, Brentor Village Hall itself. There's a village coffee morning thei first Saturday of every month. Tea, coffe, cake, and bacon rolls, normal and Jumbo! Cyclist welcomed, there's a sign outside.

Second, there's a pop-up cafe, also utilising Brentor Village Hall, on certain Fridays. Here's the info:

Enjoy!
Edit: See you Saturday, perhaps?

 

[Sharky]

On one of my loops is the National Trust cafe at Ightham Mote. I've been to a few by car as well and all provide a similar standard and make good stops.

 

[Cuchilo]

Went to Teddington lock boat shop that have a cafe on the grounds . Cake and tea and cycle friendly but if you need food no chance ! They dont do bacon sarnies but have toefood on toast .

 

[Waterwheel]

There is a nice cafe inside Richmond park in Surrey! See this: https://www.royalparks.org.uk/parks/richmond-park/food-and-drink/pembroke-lodge
Richmond park is also very popular with cyclists as it is so close to London and has got miles of roads and tracks most of which you can cycle on. The Pembroke lodge cafe is also only a short ride to Richmond town centre.

 

[DRM]

https://m.facebook.com/pg/faustoscoffee/about/

Fausto’s in Mirfield West Yorks, also Sowerby Brothers lbs next door, excellent coffee & cake
Part of the bike shop I believe, so they know what a cafe stop is all about
https://www.leedsurbanbikepark.com/. Leeds urban bike park, Middleton South Leeds, another good cafe & good MTB trails too

https://www.farmercopleys.co.uk/
Farmer Copley’s Pontefract West Yorks another nice cafe, giant cakes & decent coffee

 

[Domus]

MK Cycles in Belmont. Good coffee, Carr's Pasties and lovely home made cakes.

https://www.mkcycles.co.uk

 

[Tenkaykev]

Rockets and Rascals in Poole, Dorset.

" In Dorset?" I hear you ask.

Yes, I'd highly recommend it.

 

[Ian H]

Honiton, East Devon has Toast and Boston Tea Party, both of which do good food and have rear access where bikes can be parked.
The Somerset Levels have Sweet's Tea Rooms, just north of Westhay, and North Curry's Community Coffee Shop.

 

[ianrauk]

Teapot Island in Yalding, Kent. Very popular with cyclists. Lovely setting by the river. Plenty of room for bikes. Great food and drink and great staff.

The Waterfront in Whitstable, Kent. Legendary FNR destination. Plenty of bike space. The best views in Whitstable from the terrace overlooking the sea. Off the tourist trail so never overly busy. Lovely friendly staff and great food. Booze also.

Headcorn Aerodrome in Headcorn, Kent. Eat and drink whilst watching the many planes and skydivers. Plenty of bike spaces.

 

[PaulSB]

I recognise not all of these stops will be viewed as cyclists' cafes by some riders but they are all places my club goes to and I've been myself many times. I'm happy to recommend them all. Visitors will find they vary widely in style, menu and price but have three things in common; cyclist friendly, good food and very fast service when a group arrives. All are in Lancashire:

Scorton: Daisyclough Garden Centre https://www.daisyclough.com/
Scorton: The Barn https://www.plantsandgifts.co.uk/
Scorton: Applestore https://www.wyresdalepark.co.uk/applestore-cafe-scorton
Woodplumpton/Catforth: Roots http://www.rootscafe.co.uk/ those are the two nearest villages to my way of thinking
Ribchester: Potters Barn http://potters-barn.com/
Dunsop Bridge: PuddleDucks http://www.puddleduckscafe.co.uk/ Dunsop Bridge is the exact centre of the UK
Ainsdale, Southport: Bar Mio http://barmio.co.uk/
Ainsdale, Southport: MeCycle http://mecycle.co.uk/ can be slow with groups on occasions
Formby: Cafe 48 https://www.facebook.com/Cafe48formby/
Burscough: Merlin's Bakery Cafe http://merlinsbakerycafe.co.uk/ nothing to do with Merlin Cycles and a long way from there!
Scarisbrick: Milano Coffee Shop https://www.facebook.com/milanocoffeeshopsouthport/
Roddlesworth: Vaughans Country Cafe http://www.vaughnscountrycafe.co.uk/
Condor Green: Cafe de Lune https://barnesbike.wixsite.com/cafe
Chipping: Cobbled Corner http://cobbled-corner.co.uk/
Waddington: Country Kitchen https://www.facebook.com/countrykitchenwaddington/

There are others we go to but names escape at the moment!

 

[vickster]

https://www.coffeeactive.co.uk/
Ashtead Surrey, not too far from Box Hill
(Formerly Bike Beans)

 

[Dogtrousers]

Ide Hill Café/Shop Kent. Just S of Sevenoaks.

Nice seating, great views. Public loos.

Beware that what you might think is a handy rail to lock your bike to is actually part of the disabled access facilities.

https://m.facebook.com/IdeHillCommunityShop

 

[Dogtrousers]

Nick the Butcher. Hartfield, W Sussex. Not far from Kidd's Hill.

This isn't really a café, it's a butcher/farm shop but they do sell coffee, drinks, ice cream etc. (And jumbo size sausage rolls!) It's a regular stopping point of mine.

Bench outside where you can sit and drink your coffee and eat your jumbo sausage roll.

Not sure if there are toilets for public use.

https://m.facebook.com/nickthebutcherhartfield/

 

[Pedropete]

Partridge Green, nr. Horsham, West Sussex: Stan's Bike Shack.
Smack bang on the Downs Link and easily accessible from a number of good road routes. Fantastic coffee, loads of cake and hot food too. Bike spares, gels and bars on sale and cycling on the TV all the time. Lots of bike parking and locks for customers to use. Loads of outdoor and indoor seating. Friendly staff and tools & pump available if needed. Prices are reasonable for West Sussex.
Open: Tue-Fri, 09:00-16:00. Sat-Sun, 08:30-16:00. Closed on Mondays.
https://stansbikeshack.com/

Shoreham ('Brighton City', ha ha, really?!) Airport, West Sussex: The Hummingbird Cafe
Easily accessible from coastal routes and again, right on the Downs Link. Okay bike parking but easier to take your bike round the back to the outdoor seating, of which there's lots. Good range of hot and cold food and drink. Service is reasonable if a bit hectic as it can get very busy. Nice views of the South Downs and great for plane spotting as you sit just metres away from the ramp.
Open: Mon-Sat, 07:00-17:30 (food: 07:00-16:00). Sun, 07:00-17:00 (food: 07:00-16:00).
http://trufflesbakery.co.uk/the-hummingbird/

Plummers Plain, nr. Horsham, West Sussex: Horsham Coffee Roaster
Bit of an odd one but definitely worth a visit if you're passing or blatting round the Hammer Ponds area. They're a popular ethical coffee roaster and not really set up as a cafe but do have a serving bar and very limited seating. Bike parking is also very limited so not one for big groups but the coffee is INCREDIBLE! The whole place is run by world class coffee geeks and they know how to brew the stuff. No food as such but the smell when they're roasting is sublime. A worthwhile quick stop, especially if you've room in your jersey for a bag of beans.
Open: Mon-Fri, 10:00-16:00. Closed on weekends.
https://www.horshamcoffeeroaster.co.uk/pages/roastery

Charlwood, nr. Horley/Gatwick, Surrey: 52 The Street Cafe
Nice little cafe with a good range of hot and cold food and drink. Good stop if you're looping past Evans at Gatwick or on an Ifield Wood/Rusper/Newdigate loop. Bike parking is pretty limited though and nothing to easily lock a bike to. Have had to carry on past when it's been too busy.
Open: Mon-Sat, 08:30-16:00. Closed Sundays.
http://charlwoodcafe.co.uk/

 

[rugby bloke]

Alban Hills Nurseries, Sherington, Newport Pagnell MK16 9QP
Excellent coffee shop located in a garden centre. Provides proper bike storage, a range of hot and cold food and of course coffee and cakes.
In door and outdoor seating so you have options depending on the weather and cyclists are very much welcome. A good location for cycling out of MK, passing through Olney or riding along the Ouse Valley.
http://albanhillnurseries.co.uk/

Manvell Farm Tea Room, Walgrave, Northampton NN6 9PH
An absolute gem. Located at a farm and fishing spot. Provides a range of fantastic cakes, together with other hot or cold food. No bike storage, but it is well tucked away and you can leave your bike in view or sit outside next to your bike. Really friendly and welcoming staff. If you sit outside expect to be befriended by a selection of chickens, ducks and turkeys. The location is great for routes heading northeast of Northampton.

Poddington Garden Centre Cafe, High Street, Poddington, NN29 7HS
Another garden centre option. No bike storage but the staff are quite happy for you to wheel your bike through the garden centre to the cafe and leave your bike outside. Again a range of indoor and outdoor seating. A good selection of food and drink. The location suits those heading east from Northampton. Note - its just down the road from Santa Pod, so if there is an event taking place expect the local roads to be infested by boy racers.
https://www.wyevalegardencentres.co.uk/product/2272