Honingham,
Everyday 09:00-3:00,
Recommended
It had been awhile since I had visited a new cafe so it was about time I did. I had often seen signs to the Goat Shed farm shop but hadn't realised there was a cafe there too, but there was, so this seemed an ideal opportunity to check it out..
I had planned a 38 mile loop to Honingham with regular cycling guest; Big George.
But first, yesterday, as a warm up, I went up to Hard to Please House in Aylsham to meet up with Andrew (who is notoriously hard to please) for a trip to Holkham Hall Court Yard Cafe. I was curious to see if Andrew continued to be notoriously hard to please after the country opened up on Monday and very much to my surprise he was. But that’s not the point of this story.
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| Holkham Hall on Yesterdays ride |
Because 10 miles into yesterdays ride we spied a familiar figure sitting on a bench looking at the view. It was only Big George with his friend Andrew. They had also come to Aylsham to cycle my route out to Wiveton Hall (see my useful routes feature for lots of cycling cafe routes throughout Norfolk and Suffolk).
I couldn’t believe my eyes, no not the coincidence of them being there BUT THAT ANYONE WOULD STOP FOR A REST AFTER ONLY 10 MILES. I was appalled especially when they added they had stopped for a bun. Does anyone even use the word bun outside of Enid Blyton stories. It was more than I could take so we quickly made our excuses and continued on our way. It did not bode well for todays ride.
When Big George arrived this morning we spoken little of yesterdays fiasco rather exchanged pleasantries to confirm we had both had a nice ride. The route today was the long way round via Wymondham and done under nice blue skies. We found the Goat Shed down a little country lane and I was surprised how big both the farm shop and cafe bit were. Not that I checked but it looked like somewhere that would have a good selection of chutney.
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| Outside Goat Shed in the out front out door seating area by the Goats |
I was also very pleased to see some real goats in the car park to justify its name.
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| The Goats |
There was a choice of two out door seating areas although we could have also sat indoors for the first time post latest opening up. We opted for the out front outdoor seating area by the goats.
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| Outdoor seating area we didn't sit in |
The cake selection was a good one which included some very large sponge cakes with cream, although tempted I opted for a chocolate brownie with my hot chocolate while Big George had an americano with a sausage sandwich. I was glad to see no buns were on offer although his choice of a sausage sandwich is clearly not cake so once again Big George was excluded from any cake rating activity this day.
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| Good cake selection with some large sponges |
Our refreshments soon arrived and it was a split decision. I found my hot chocolate and brownie to be nice but nothing special while Big George thought his coffee and Sausage sandwich where outstanding.
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| Today's refreshments |
The Goat shed had been a good find and I plan to return again soon to attempt to tackle the good looking enormous sponge cakes and I recommend a visit.
Big George had performed better than expected which was important as in less than two weeks time we are off for a 4 day off road cycling adventure in Wessex which I’m sure you are already looking forward to reading about.
Scores
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Hot Choc Quality |
Guest Hot Drink Quality |
Effective Cake Selection |
Cake Quality |
Ambiance and Atmosphere |
Café Rating |
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6.2 |
8.0 |
7.8 |
7.0 |
7.1 |
7.22 |
Map of route
Click here to download 38 Mile Norwich Honingham Loop gpx file for your gps
