Spreading the word. (The Hideout Cafe, Halesworth)

The Hideout Cafe,

Halesworth,

Mon-Sat 9:00-4,

Highly Recommended

Things have been quiet on the new cafe front as it is nearly 6 weeks since I was able to review a new establishment. Unfortunately the holiday season has meant a lack of cycling guests and Cake Crusader rules clearly state that at least one cycling guest is required for an official cafe review to be undertaken. 

As follows on Facebook and Twitter will know I haven't been idle as their news feeds have been inundated with pictures of brownies as part of my search for Brownie of the year (#BOTY). (See here for latest news)

One of my current top brownies

Today Big George was available to pick up cycling guest duties having recently returned from a few days cycling in Yorkshire. He also turned up with a new bike, as he wanted one with disc brakes, so he was excited to be getting back on the cafe and cake trail (as long as he didn't have to eat any cake). It reminded me that I too have recently identified a gap in my bicycle collection which needs to be addressed and would make an ideal Christmas gift.

Today's trip would require a short car ride over the border to Suffolk. I'm not sure if I have ever mentioned it before but I published my first (and probably only) book earlier this year (still available on Amazon or at the Jarrold book department in Norwich) and I had heard a rumour that a second hand copy had been spotted in the information section of the Hideout cafe in Halesworth. I therefore planned a 45 mile route in the area to take in the cafe and see if it was true.

After loading our bikes into the car we headed off to Mendham where there was a community car park we could start our ride from. It was very windy and despite Big Georges recent hill training in Yorkshire it was still a battle to get any speed up into a very strong head wind.

A very dramatic and windy Suffolk 

Big George told me about how he had started to listen to mindfulness for cyclists broadcasts on his phone. He explained how it teaches you not to think about cycling into the wind as hard work but to be as one with the environment, blah, blah yawn, yawn.  Apparently this will help you relax and de-stress on your rides making it a more enjoyable experience. He then entered a zen like state while I continued to battle away being keen to get to the cafe as soon as I could.

As we got nearer to Halesworth we changed direction and the wind was now behind us and became both of our friends. We were pushed rapidly along and arrived in the town centre via a very nice stretch of off road tarmac cycle track.

Excellent off road section into Halesworth

We found the Hideout cafe at the start of the Halesworth pedestrianised area.

Outside the Hideout cafe in their outside seating area

After quickly locking our bikes it was straight to check the cake selection (which was a bit limited today but is often much bigger at busier times). Note: on a second visit in 2019 there was indeed a much bigger selection. I then over to the unit that was full of leaflets and tourist information. There under a pile of discount vouchers for the nearby zoo I found my book.

The Cake Crusader book now on full display in the Hideout cafe

I quickly took it out and stood it up in pride of place where I hoped it would get more attention. Although during the half hour that we were there it didn't.

The cakes are homemade on the premises. I ordered some date cake with my hot chocolate while Big George had an Americano and scrambled egg on toast. I pointed out that scrambled egg on toast is not cake but he said he might have some later although we both knew he wouldn't and he didn't.

My date cake

Our drinks were both good and strong and scored well with the cake being OK. Note on my second visit the cakes were excellent with Mrs Crusader rating her banana and chocolate cake as one of the best ever! I would Highly recommend a visit to the Hideout cafe especially due to the excellent selection of book in the local information area. If you do go please can you make sure the book remains in full view, thanks 😀.

Excellent drinks

From the cafe it was only a few more miles back to the car and while Big George got back into the zone I started planning how I was going to be able to track down more second hand copies of my book at local charity shops and jumble sales, I felt a spreadsheet coming on. I also wanted to visit the nearby Zoo as I now had lots of half price vouchers but unfortunately there wasn't time for that.

With a now full complement of cycling guests available again I have a number of rides coming up, starting this Saturday when I return to the Norfolk Cycle parkrun challenge with a visit to Thetford.

Scores based on two visits

Hot Choc Quality	Guest Hot Drink Quality	Effective Cake Selection	Cake Quality	Ambiance and Atmosphere	Café Rating
7.1	7.35	6.55	7.6	7.5	7.22

Route

Click here to download 45 mile Mendham Halesworth loop gpx file to your gps