Re: My story book
Posted: Wed Jan 02, 2019 4:06 pm
Appendix 2: Eating Places
These are my top 10 cafes and have all made me welcome and, in my non-gourmet opinion, serve excellent food at very good prices. Most of these have the big advantage that you can keep an eye on your bike while you eat and drink.
1) Ladybower Café – in reality a catering van in a lay-by at the Sheffield end of Snake Pass, having wonderful views over Ladybower Reservoir. It is run by a fascinating and amusing lady called Julie, Spam processed meat features heavily on the menu and you are almost certain to meet interesting customers. It has been featured on The Hairy Bikers programme on BBC TV. I cannot recommend this one highly enough. Always there in summer but less predictable at other times. No toilet but lots of trees!
2) Glossop Cafeteria – at the other (Manchester) end of Snake Pass in the delightful market town of Glossop. This café is just off the market square and despite its rather unattractive exterior serves the best food at exceptionally reasonable prices (pancakes and Full English Breakfast highly recommended). This café is popular with bikers at weekends but is quieter during the week.
3) Yondermann Café – a real transport café in Wardlow on the A628 where we have always been made welcome. Highlights include free motorcycle newspapers, free stickers (another obsession) and excellent food, particularly the Derbyshire Oatcakes with cheese. They also have an interesting collection of old photographs on display. On our last visit I noticed a For Sale sign outside so I’m hoping this won’t be the harbinger of drastic change.
4) Castleton Visitor Centre – a fairly new café at the visitor centre in this iconic Peak District village. It serves excellent food and as a bonus has free motorcycle parking in clear view from your table. It also has an attached small museum and outdoor clothing shop.
5) Green Hut Café (Forest Corner Snack Bar) - on the A616 at Ollerton roundabout. Excellent food (especially home made cakes) at very reasonable prices. Very popular with bikers, especially at the weekend. It has, in my experience, previously had rather erratic opening hours but if it’s closed there are plenty of other options in the near vicinity.
6) The Old Smithy in Monyash – another café popular with bikers, cyclists and walkers. Once again, busy at weekends and on most sunny weekdays. Lovely location on the village green and good food (oatcakes again!).
7) Willy Woods Bikers Meeting Place - Willingham Woods near Market Rasen. A must visit venue mainly for the atmosphere and ever changing bike show. Food and drinks ok, toilets are interesting.
8) Squires Café Bar – Sherburn in Elmet. Northern legend biker café, popular and well worth a visit but seems a bit contrived to me. Extensive web site.
9) Old Station Café – Snaith, just off A19 north of Doncaster. Good food, pleasant location, customers and staff. Hosts lots of interesting events on attached camping ground. Worth consideration if you’re planning an event.
10) Matlock Bath – I can’t really pick a favourite here but there is plenty of choice at this well-known biker venue. I like the Cycle and Toy Museum café but good fish and chips everywhere. The venue for an annual C90 Club pilgrimage and you will often bump into other Cubbers when you visit. Watch out for the Traffic Wardens who can be quite zealous.
These are my top 10 cafes and have all made me welcome and, in my non-gourmet opinion, serve excellent food at very good prices. Most of these have the big advantage that you can keep an eye on your bike while you eat and drink.
1) Ladybower Café – in reality a catering van in a lay-by at the Sheffield end of Snake Pass, having wonderful views over Ladybower Reservoir. It is run by a fascinating and amusing lady called Julie, Spam processed meat features heavily on the menu and you are almost certain to meet interesting customers. It has been featured on The Hairy Bikers programme on BBC TV. I cannot recommend this one highly enough. Always there in summer but less predictable at other times. No toilet but lots of trees!
2) Glossop Cafeteria – at the other (Manchester) end of Snake Pass in the delightful market town of Glossop. This café is just off the market square and despite its rather unattractive exterior serves the best food at exceptionally reasonable prices (pancakes and Full English Breakfast highly recommended). This café is popular with bikers at weekends but is quieter during the week.
3) Yondermann Café – a real transport café in Wardlow on the A628 where we have always been made welcome. Highlights include free motorcycle newspapers, free stickers (another obsession) and excellent food, particularly the Derbyshire Oatcakes with cheese. They also have an interesting collection of old photographs on display. On our last visit I noticed a For Sale sign outside so I’m hoping this won’t be the harbinger of drastic change.
4) Castleton Visitor Centre – a fairly new café at the visitor centre in this iconic Peak District village. It serves excellent food and as a bonus has free motorcycle parking in clear view from your table. It also has an attached small museum and outdoor clothing shop.
5) Green Hut Café (Forest Corner Snack Bar) - on the A616 at Ollerton roundabout. Excellent food (especially home made cakes) at very reasonable prices. Very popular with bikers, especially at the weekend. It has, in my experience, previously had rather erratic opening hours but if it’s closed there are plenty of other options in the near vicinity.
6) The Old Smithy in Monyash – another café popular with bikers, cyclists and walkers. Once again, busy at weekends and on most sunny weekdays. Lovely location on the village green and good food (oatcakes again!).
7) Willy Woods Bikers Meeting Place - Willingham Woods near Market Rasen. A must visit venue mainly for the atmosphere and ever changing bike show. Food and drinks ok, toilets are interesting.
8) Squires Café Bar – Sherburn in Elmet. Northern legend biker café, popular and well worth a visit but seems a bit contrived to me. Extensive web site.
9) Old Station Café – Snaith, just off A19 north of Doncaster. Good food, pleasant location, customers and staff. Hosts lots of interesting events on attached camping ground. Worth consideration if you’re planning an event.
10) Matlock Bath – I can’t really pick a favourite here but there is plenty of choice at this well-known biker venue. I like the Cycle and Toy Museum café but good fish and chips everywhere. The venue for an annual C90 Club pilgrimage and you will often bump into other Cubbers when you visit. Watch out for the Traffic Wardens who can be quite zealous.