Let Them Eat Cake

I've been out and about on the bike this week and have dropped into a few cafes for refuelling, and I thought I'd share some brief reviews:

Church Farm, Ardeley:

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www.churchfarmardeley.co.uk/home.html

I dropped in here on Monday and it was outstanding, to be honest. Indoor and outdoor seating, with an excellent range of food and cakes, and very friendly and helpful staff. They offered to refill my water bottle before I had a chance to ask and the pistachio flapjack I had was perfect. There's a farm shop, too, if there's no time for an extended break.

Downsides? It was very popular, so it may be difficult to find a table and get served at peak times. It's also in Ardeley, which is about 30 miles away. A worthwhile stop, though, if riding near Stevenage and Buntingford.


The River Team Rooms, St Ives

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Probably more familiar, but Tuesday was my first visit. Worth another visit, the mocha I had was the best I've tasted outside NZ, and the toffee-pecan flapjack was delicious. Seating outside, overlooking the river, or inside.

Downsides? I suspect it can get very busy at peak times.



The Buttery, Castle Ashby

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The coffee was nice, if unremarkable, and the flapjack was average at best. Castle Ashby is beautiful, but the cafe was tucked away in a courtyard with some other shops and was pretty uninspiring. Seating outside, but you're basically in the carpark, and the indoor seating isn't much better. The staff were friendly and helpful, though.

One for emergencies only and today was one.

Any others that deserve a mention?

-- Andy Mc

We should add then to 'Cafe Stops' on the 'Club Runs' page/tab.
So have you retired?

I reckon he's won the lottery, not told us (yet) and doing research on the potential competition for his planned cycling focused coffee shop venture ...

Cafe at Harrold Country Park is good

Thurleigh Farm another good one

There is a cafe at Aldwincle (Oundle way) but don't know what it is like

Anybody been to this one www.teacakeatshepreth.co.uk/about-us

We go right past its door and up till recently I never knew of its existence.

No to both retirement and lottery glory, sadly. Just a few days off to enjoy some riding.

Buttercups, Kimbolton

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Myself, Alistair and Chris dropped into Buttercups in Kimbolton this lunch time, on the way home from a very wet ride to Oundle. Despite the fact that we were dripping wet and Buttercups has nice, soft, fabric covered chairs, we were welcomed in and the chairs were draped in bin liners to offer some protection from us. The tea was excellent, and there was a wide array of snacks and cakes. I've had food from there a few times and never been disappointed.

Downsides? It's not very big, so anything more than a handful of riders may be a little too much. It's also very close to home, so a poor location for a mid-ride stop, and toward the end of rides I'd be more likely to push on for St Neots (we stopped in today because we weren't all heading back into town).

-- Andy Mc

Ch3rryGh0st wrote:

No to both retirement and lottery glory, sadly. Just a few days off to enjoy some riding.

Buttercups, Kimbolton

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Myself, Alistair and Chris dropped into Buttercups in Kimbolton this lunch time, on the way home from a very wet ride to Oundle. Despite the fact that we were dripping wet and Buttercups has nice, soft, fabric covered chairs, we were welcomed in and the chairs were draped in bin liners to offer some protection from us. The tea was excellent, and there was a wide array of snacks and cakes. I've had food from there a few times and never been disappointed.

Downsides? It's not very big, so anything more than a handful of riders may be a little too much. It's also very close to home, so a poor location for a mid-ride stop, and toward the end of rides I'd be more likely to push on for St Neots (we stopped in today because we weren't all heading back into town).

-- Andy Mc

Anything to do with Oundle should include wet in the title !!!

Ch3rryGh0st wrote:

No to both retirement and lottery glory, sadly. Just a few days off to enjoy some riding.

Buttercups, Kimbolton

---

Myself, Alistair and Chris dropped into Buttercups in Kimbolton this lunch time, on the way home from a very wet ride to Oundle. Despite the fact that we were dripping wet and Buttercups has nice, soft, fabric covered chairs, we were welcomed in and the chairs were draped in bin liners to offer some protection from us. The tea was excellent, and there was a wide array of snacks and cakes. I've had food from there a few times and never been disappointed.

Downsides? It's not very big, so anything more than a handful of riders may be a little too much. It's also very close to home, so a poor location for a mid-ride stop, and toward the end of rides I'd be more likely to push on for St Neots (we stopped in today because we weren't all heading back into town).

-- Andy Mc

+1 Buttercups is great - we couldn't wait to get into 6th form and be allowed out on the highstreet to get lunch there! (+ Bacon and Chip Sandwiches from the cafe in Olivers!)

We stopped for coffee and cake at Harrold Country Park mid-way through this morning's ride. My mocha was very nice, as was the coffee and almond cake (though nowhere near the standard of my wife's!). A nice selection of sweet and savoury on the menu, and seating outdoors as well as inside.

Downsides? No mirror in the gents means severe cases of helmet hair can't be easily resolved.

-- Andy Mc

Chrisbpr wrote:

Anybody been to this one www.teacakeatshepreth.co.uk/about-us

We go right past its door and up till recently I never knew of its existence.

I've got a week off toward the end of May, and this is on my list to check out

-- Andy Mc

No neither the chocolate that was round your mush !!!

adrianotaverna wrote:

No neither the chocolate that was round your mush !!!

I am both renowned for and proud of being a messy eater!

-- Andy Mc