Tonpub › Biker cafés and meeting spots in the north of England
Biker cafés and meeting spots in the north of England
The north has some of the best riding in Britain and a long list of cafés that welcome bikers. These are places named in published biker guides.
Before you set off
Check opening times before you ride. The information below comes from published guides, some a few years old, and venues change their hours or close. Where a guide said a place had closed, we say so. We have left out phone numbers and street addresses we could not confirm.
Yorkshire
Squires Cafe, near Sherburn-in-Elmet
Squires is one of the best-known biker cafés in the north. Devitt Insurance's guide says it opened in 1954 as Sherburn Cafe or Squires Milk Bar in Sherburn-in-Elmet, and moved in 2002 to a larger site near the B1222 at Newthorpe with space for events and camping. It was bought in 2007 by the Bowness family. The guide says it has a biker merchandise shop and hosts club meets, charity runs and live music. It also lists the Toy Run on the first Sunday of December and an Egg Run around Easter, both delivering gifts to a children's hospital. The guide gives the location as West Yorkshire in one place and North Yorkshire in another, so rely on the cafe's own site for the postal address. Opening hours listed were weekdays 9am to 10pm and weekends 8am to 10pm, which may have changed.
Manor Farm Cafe, Bellerby near Leyburn
In the Yorkshire Dales, Devitt's list says Manor Farm Cafe holds a bike night every Thursday during the sunnier months and is open seven days a week.
Cumbria and the Lakes
The Biker Guide's Cumbria page lists many meeting places. Notable ones:
- Devil's Bridge, Kirkby Lonsdale. Described as "a great place to meet bikers", especially busy on Sundays, with Devil's Bridge Snacks at the same address.
- The Filling Station Cafe, Keswick. A retro, bike-themed diner open daily, with a bike night on Fridays. Devitt's guide places it off the A66 and says it opened in 2011.
- Orton Scar Café, near Penrith. A private car park, outdoor seating and all-day breakfast, with reviewers saying bikers get a warm welcome.
- The White Hare Cafe, Kirkby Stephen. Facilities for riders including coat hangers, a heater for gloves and visor-cleaning supplies, with bike shops and fuel stations close by. Listed as open Wednesday to Sunday until 4pm.
- Wilf's Café, Staveley near Kendal. Open daily 9 to 4, with a motorcycle club holding regular breakfasts.
- Wraysholme Creamery bike nights, Flookburgh near Grange-over-Sands. Listed as second Thursday of the month from April to September, from 4pm.
- Hartside Top Cafe, Alston. Known for views and used as a start for many group rides; the page noted it was closed as of April 2018, so check its current status.
Further north
The Green Welly Stop on the A82 at Tyndrum and Crianlarich in Scotland is listed in Devitt's guide as a popular stop with a large car park and regular bike nights. See our south, Wales and Scotland page for more.
Roads nearby
Many of these places sit on rewarding roads; our page on great biker roads has notes on risk. For the Peak District, see Matlock Bath.
Be a good visitor
Cafés in villages and national parks rely on goodwill. Park tidily, keep noise down when leaving and pick up litter. If a venue asks you to remove your helmet or keep to a certain area, follow the request.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Squires Cafe?
On the B1222 at Newthorpe, near Sherburn-in-Elmet in Yorkshire. Check the cafe's own site for the postal address.
Is Devil's Bridge a biker meeting place?
The Biker Guide describes Devil's Bridge at Kirkby Lonsdale as a great place to meet bikers, especially on Sundays.
Do these places have bike nights?
Some do. The Filling Station in Keswick was listed with Friday bike nights, and Manor Farm Cafe with Thursday nights in the sunnier months. Check before you go.