Cafes on Crutches 1

Cafes on Crutches 1

March 2022

In case I haven't mentioned it then I have a poorly knee. This has put me mainly out of action since September but I had a knee operation at the start of the month and hopefully i'll be back on the bike in May. However before then I'm stuck on crutches for a few weeks. 

I had planned to spend the winter reviewing my work to date and revisiting a number of cafes to refresh my ratings. I did manage a few rides but today will be first edition of "cafes on crutches" as I have returned to review a selection of venues with my new stick based friends. So here is a quick summary of some more cafe options for you to try. Although I suggest you go by bike.

1. The Beach Cafe on Gorleston prom (see Norfolk cycle parkrun challenge stage 5. for original review, route and current rating)

My last visit here was part of my cycle parkrun challenge when me and my friend Mark cycled then ran all the parkruns in Norfolk. Since then another 8 Norfolk based parkruns have started and we had aimed to revisit them by bike as well but sadly, because I've got a bad knee (which I don't like to talk about) then this is on hold until the summer. 

Anyway the Beach cafe is on the prom overlooking the sea and is a short hop (literally) down the prom to get to.

It has a fine cake selections with sponges, scones and interesting tray bakes

I remember on my previous visit we were joined by Marks friends. The cakes were good and I announced a cake taste quality (CTQ) mark of 7.9. Mark’s friend was intrigued by my scoring methods and asked what the cakes would have required to do to score an 8. I was glad he recognised my cake tasting expertise and willing explained that they would needed to have been 0.1 better for that rating. 

The cakes were good again today but once again the drinks were pretty ordinary. However defiantly one of the best beach cafes I've been to.

2. OB Cafe at Old Buckenham (see Third Time Lucky for original review, route and current rating)

The OB cafe is a favourite with cyclists being super cycle friendly with lots of outdoor space. Over the years it has grown from a small van to a much larger venue with marquee and sheds to sit in as well as an outdoor decked seating area.

You always get a very warm welcome from Kong who is Norfolk's favourite Barista

The cakes are mainly of the tray bike variety and the range has grown as its cake selection used to be its Achilles heel, but no more.

The drinks are ok but the cakes are always excellent and I'm yet to find one I didn't like.

However the setting is what makes this cafe so good and you can spend ages relaxing in your shed while watching the duck action on the large pond.

A must for all cyclists although can get busy during the peak season when the campsite is in full swing.

3. Blakeys Bus at Mulbarton (see on the buses for original review, route and current rating)

Is it a cafe or is it a bus? Well obviously its a cafe or I wouldn't have included it in my post but it is a cafe in a bus. Its based in the car park at Mulbarton sports fields opposite the common.

You can sit upstairs on the bus or there is lots of outside space. You can even take your refreshments over to the common if you want to.

There is a nice selection of cakes covering all the essentials.

They are pretty good cakes and come with a fruit based garnish. The drinks are pretty solid too

Always worth a visit especially if you are old enough to have a reminisce about On the Buses,  the Double Deckers, or Cliffs classic film Summer Holiday. If you remember none of these than ask your parents.

4. Flint Barn Cafe at Whitlingham Broad (see Toddler Entertainment for original review, route and current rating)

This cafe is at Whittlingham broad and is best cycled to as the car park is a bit pricing for crutch based visits. As the name suggests its in a big barn which doubles as the visitors centre and some indoor seating space.

There is also lots of space to have your refreshments outside to enjoy views of the broad. 

The cake selection is pretty good to. Over the years I have become a bit of a hot chocolate snob so I now enquire what variety it is. The friendly lady showed me a tin of hot choc powder so I ordered a tea. However she assured me it was a nice one so I agreed to try it.

We enjoyed the outdoor seating area and although the hot chocolate wasn't the best it was pretty decent and I was glad I had been persuaded.

As an added bonus the best cycle route here goes through the delightful Norwich sewage on national cycle route 1 so you can take that in as well. For a cafe at a park or tourist attraction this is one of the best.

5. Art Cafe at Glandford (see 100 Not out for original review, route and current rating)

The Art cafe has been in my top 10 since I first visited many years ago so it was good to have a chance to check if it still deserves to be there. It is in the model village of Glandford and is nearby the self proclaimed "World Famous" shell museum. Sadly it was shut until after Easter.

The cafe has a homeware accessory type things shop at the front and indoor seating area at the back. The indoor seating area is very cosy in the winter with a wood burner in the corner but on brighter days there is lots of outdoor seating. Spookily there is a small Art gallery next door to the Art cafe, what a coincidence!

The cafe is Vegetarian and has a good selection of cakes, scones and tray bakes.

We had our cakes and drinks in the outdoor seating area which is opposite the Grey Seal coffee roasting shed which means the coffee here is very good.

Still remains one of my top cafes and worth a visit if you are up in the North Norfolk area.

Bonus cafe

If you have manged to plough this far through the post then here is a bonus cafe from my recent crutches based trip to North Yorkshire. 

6. The Barn in North Yorkshire (Bonus cafe)

This cafe appeared to be in a cyclists hot spot so if you are planning a trip in the UK it looks a pretty good area to visit.

The Barn cafe was in the village of Hutton le Ho and had a fine selection of cakes

However the fruit cake I ordered came with a lump of cheese on it which can't be right.

Sadly on our return from Yorkshire my chauffeur (Mrs Crusader) was struck down with the virus that must not be named. I have locked her in a small room in Crusader towers until she can prove she isn't infections at which point I will let her out and allow her to drive me to some more cafes on crutches.