Wheely Wonderful Cycling give us their tips on the top 5 cycling cafes….
Its been a while since I posted my top cycling cafes.  And since then cycling cafes have become very fashionable!  My choice of cycling cafes is based on a fabulous cycle ride, with a cafe or tearoom as the midpoint. So whilst you will get a great welcome as a cyclist, cycling is not the be all and end all of these cafe’s existence – in fact they  are catering for anything from book lovers to carpet lovers!
Here they are:
The Green Cafe in Ludlow
A perfect position by the river, and under the castle in Ludlow.  Definitely the best scones ever – with lemon & buttermilk – and my favourite greengage jam, when in season.  This cafe is so good its won a Michelin Bib Gourmand award – so its worth trying their lunches too.  And how do you work up an appetite?  Well try our Ludlow Country Estates Tour.  And for entertainment whilst you eat – just watch the river – I’ve seen kingfishers & dippers here – and if you arrive during the salmon season – you can see them leaping up the fish ladder.
The Bog Centre Cafe
The complete opposite in location terms – in the middle of nowhere in the Stiperstones (although it originally was part of a thriving mining community).  But the cakes are wonderful ..as is the welcome from the community volunteers who run this outpost.  Get there by cycling up from Bishops Castle on our Shropshire Castles tour...or by foot on Wild Edric’s Way (part of the Shropshire Way).  Get off your bike & explore – there are some fabulous wild flower meadows and mine open days.
Aardvark Books Cafe
Great coffee, local homemade cakes, a huge bookshop and idyllic location.  There are cows looking at you from the barn next to where you leave your bikes.  Brampton Bryan is definitely worth exploring from the outstanding yew hedge to the rare commonwealth church – made from the hammer beam roof of the castle next door.  You can cycle there by hiring a bike from Wheely Wonderful Cycling or on any of our Shropshire Cycling holidays.
The Workhouse Cafe
Another uninviting name (doesn’t sound relaxing does it)…especially as you have to enter Presteigne’s Industrial estate to get to it….but what a surprise.  A fabulous eco friendly architect designed workshop. great cafe & meeting place and rather unique  selection of antique & Persian carpets (and lots of other artworks & gifts).  Find it all on any of our Welsh cycling holidays and take your time over this find on our Welsh Border Cycle Tour.
Bird on the Rock Tearoom
And a big welcome back to this tearoom, which has gone through a rocky couple of years. Â Its back up to its old fabulous standard of great old fashioned Teas. Â Keep up the good work. Its a welcome stop on our Quietest Cycle tour under the sun. Â And great to combine it with a trip to visit Hopton Castle.
Where are your favourites? Â And what is your favourite cycling food?
