My Favourite Café for All Seasons
It’s a reflection of my advancing years, but these days most of my rides are fairly pedestrian, and include a café stop mid ride for a white americano and the obligatory cake of some description.
Luckily in the parts of Kent and occasionally Surrey where I mostly ride, we really are spoilt for choice when it comes to bike friendly cafes, with new ones seeming to be popping up every month.
With such a choice, of both routes and café destinations, I got to thinking about which was my favourite route and café combination. It was then that I realised that there are quite a few candidates, depending on how far I want to ride and to some extent, the time of year.
The route I have chosen includes a three-mile-long wide valley, a short but steep drop into and out of a hidden valley and woods which host probably one of the best displays of spring bluebells in Northwest Kent.
The café that I have chosen as my destination for all seasons, is the “Battle of Britain Cafe” in the Darenth Valley in Kent. It can be approached in a variety of directions and on routes of differing mileages and varying scenery.
Situated on the High Street of the quaint village of Shoreham, with its picturesque riverside walks and welcoming pubs, it is approached via a small pathway between the houses and is easily missed. Look out for the sign which says “Cyclists Welcome”. The entrance is a step back in time via a gateway in a stonewall, leading into a courtyard with tables set out under parasols. Further tables are available up steps to a terraced garden.
The reason for the name of the café, is that it was frequented by pilots from Biggin Hill aerodrome during the Battle of Britain, and now houses a small museum in the grounds to commemorate it’s connection with the heroes of those dark times.
Off the courtyard, is the café itself which in keeping with the rest of the surroundings is also a bit of a museum piece.
As it is run by enthusiastic volunteers the service can best be described as a little ‘quirky’. The cakes are great, the tea is excellent, the bacon and sausage doorstep sandwiches are fantastic (when available), but the coffee is itself a throwback from a bygone age.. Try asking for a latte or a flat white, but you will be met with blank looks. The only coffee is Nescafe, which is at least in tune with the nostalgic atmosphere and the surroundings and the pictures on the wall of dogfighting Spitfires and Messerschmitts.
My usual snack at the BOB is a cup of tea and a toasted teacake generously spread with butter.
- Pros:
- Friendly and nostalgic atmosphere.
- Tea and cakes are great and remarkably cheap.
- A variety of good routes and distances to and from the café.
- Welcoming to cyclists, spaces to lean bikes.
- Cons:
- Sometimes slow service.
- Coffee is not so good.
- Cards are not accepted for payments under £5.00.
- Only open Saturday, Sunday, and Bank Holidays.
The Route
My favourite route to the “Battle of Britain Cafe” is via Downe to Chelsfied and Crockenhill then to Farningham via the quaintly named Sparepenny Lane and up Knatts Valley.
From almost the top of Knatts you can go up Hills Lane (The clue is in the name, but don’t miss the right-hand turn. It’s easy to cruise past without seeing it.) and then via the hidden valley that is amusingly called “Magpie Bottom”.
After you have slogged up the exit out of the “Bottom”, it is only a couple of miles and a fast-twisting descent down Fackenden Hill (some people have less complementary names for it when they are going in the opposite direction) to take a right turn on to the busy Shoreham Road, and thence to Shoreham village and the BOB Café.
After a break at the café, I usually continue along Shoreham high Street, and return via pretty sunken Chelsfield Lane (another easily missed and gravelly right turn off Shacklands Road) and on to Chelsfield Village, Green Street Green and home.
Distance 51.7 miles 2,708ft climbing. (Starting and finishing at De Ver Cycles)
https://connect.garmin.com/modern/course/131084950
Cafe Location
Shoreham Aircraft Museum
13 High St, Shoreham, Sevenoaks TN14 7TB
