Where the tea’s hot, the roads are twisty, and the views are pure class.
Where Bikes Meet Bacon Butties
If there’s one thing bikers love as much as a good set of twisties, it’s a proper café stop. And the North East? It’s an underrated paradise for both. You’ve got rugged coastlines, snaking moorland roads, and a bunch of cafes where the fry-ups are as legendary as the riding routes.
Whether you’re on a learner-legal 125 or a thunderous tourer, this guide’s packed with pit stops, road suggestions, and attractions to turn your next ride into a full-on adventure.
The North East’s Best Biker Cafés
Here’s where you’ll find great coffee, cracking breakfasts, secure parking, and more than a few friendly two-wheel conversations.
1. Squires Café Bar (Sherburn-in-Elmet)
📍 Technically North Yorkshire, but worth the ride from anywhere in the North East
A legendary meeting point in the UK biking scene. There’s always something going on—BBQs, meets, ride-outs. Huge parking area and a great atmosphere whether you’re solo or in a pack.
Fun Fact: There’s even a tyre-changing station on-site. Handy if your chicken strips are getting a bit too thin.
Image: Squires Cafe
2. Manor Café (Bellerby, near Leyburn)
📍 Nestled in the Yorkshire Dales, with killer views
Proper biker haunt with solid grub, great coffee, and plenty of parking. Friendly staff won’t blink at the sound of twenty exhausts arriving at once.
Great route in: Approach via the A684 for sweeping bends and sheep-dodging excitement.
Image: Manor Cafe Facebook
3. The Drift Café (Cresswell, Northumberland)
📍 Right on the coast with a car park full of chrome
Popular with cruisers and classic bike owners, but everyone’s welcome. The café is right next to Druridge Bay—perfect for a chill beachside break.
Tip: Head here after a sunrise ride for a coffee and a walk along the sand dunes.
Image: Visit Northumberland
4. Hartside Top Café (Alston)
📍 It’s BACK. At 1903ft, one of the highest cafés in England.
After burning down the A686—considered one of the best biking roads in Britain—you’ll want a stop. Rebuilt after a fire, this café offers jaw-dropping views and warm welcomes.
Bucket-list ride: The A686 from Penrith to Alston has 360° hairpins and sweeping vistas. Bring a camera.
Image: Hartside Cafe Facebook
North East Riding Roads Worth Your Tyres
Let’s be honest: no one rides just for the café. Here are some of the best roads to carve through before or after your caffeine fix.
🏞️ A686 – Penrith to Haydon Bridge
Nickname: The Hartside Pass
- Switchbacks, climbs, views
- Low traffic and grippy surface
- Stop at Hartside Top Café
🌊 The Coastal Loop – Alnwick to Bamburgh
- Hug the Northumberland coastline
- Stop at Warkworth Castle and Seahouses for fresh seafood
- Finish with a walk along Bamburgh Beach and a photo of the castle
🧭 A68 – Darlington to Jedburgh
- Long straights and hidden corners
- Plenty of places to overtake
- Borders views and ancient Roman road history
🌄 B6277 – Middleton-in-Teesdale to Alston
- High moorland pass with zero traffic
- Wild, bleak, beautiful
- Watch for sheep (and the odd pothole)
Attractions to Build Into Your Ride
Make a day of it—or a weekend. These biker-friendly spots are worth parking up for.
- Barter Books (Alnwick) – Giant second-hand bookshop in a Victorian train station. There’s even a café inside with a roaring fire.
- Tan Hill Inn – Britain’s highest pub. Ride up, grab a pie and a pint, and enjoy views you won’t get on the M1.
- Beamish Museum – Open-air museum of the North’s industrial past. Park up and walk back in time.
- Kielder Forest & Water – Twist through trees, spot red squirrels, and end at the lake for a breather.
Image Sources: Barter Books – Beamish Museum
Biker Tips for a North East Ride-Out
- Pack for all seasons – The weather changes faster than a 600cc in third gear.
- Check tyre pressures – Moorland roads can be punishing.
- Don’t forget your camera – You’ll want to snap those views.
- Start early – Roads are quieter and cafés are warm by 9am.
Local lingo tip: If someone calls you “pet” or “marra,” don’t panic—it’s Geordie for mate.
Sample Ride-Out Itinerary (Day Trip)
Start: Darlington
Route:
➡️ A68 north to Corbridge
➡️ Cut east to Alnwick via B6341
➡️ Follow coast road through Amble, Warkworth, Bamburgh
➡️ Lunch at Drift Café
➡️ Loop back through Alston via A686
➡️ Finish at Hartside Top Café
Total Distance: ~180 miles
Riding Time: 6–7 hours with stops
Ride, Refuel, Repeat
The North East is more than just castles and coastlines—it’s a two-wheeled playground with a strong brew waiting at every turn. From windswept coastal roads to high-altitude cafés, there’s no shortage of reasons to ride up, roll in, and tuck into a bacon butty with a view.
So next time you’re planning a Sunday blast or a long weekend tour, head north. There’s a hot cuppa and a waving biker waiting for you.
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