From Lakeland views to Lancashire lanes—these cafés and routes are worth every rev.
Where Good Coffee Meets Great Curves
There’s something about the North West. Maybe it’s the ever-changing scenery. Maybe it’s the proper greasy spoon breakfasts. Or maybe it’s just the fact that the region is stuffed with winding roads, characterful cafés, and fellow bikers who’ll nod as you pass.
Whether you’re carving through Cumbria or coasting across Cheshire, this guide highlights the best biker cafés in the North West—along with the routes, sights, and stops that make them worth the ride.
Top Biker Cafés in the North West
These are the places where you’ll find secure parking, full English breakfasts, hot brews, and enough engine noise to make your visor rattle.
1. Devil’s Bridge – Kirkby Lonsdale
📍 Cumbria
Not a café in the traditional sense, but an absolute must-visit biker hangout. Every weekend, the bridge is lined with motorbikes from across the country. There’s a snack van serving up sausage rolls and banter by the bucketload.
🛣️ Pro tip: Pair it with the A683 or A65 for a scenic ride through valleys and villages.
Image: The Riders Digest
2. The Filling Station Café – Keswick
📍 Lake District
A firm favourite among riders exploring the Lakes. Great food, biker-friendly parking, and a petrolhead vibe that includes regular meets and events.
🧁 Try the cake. Seriously. You’ll need the carbs for Honister Pass.
Image: Devittinsurance
3. Rivington Barn – Chorley
📍 Lancashire
A biker institution. Sundays see hundreds of bikes lining the road, with food trucks, music, and proper northern energy. Great as a meeting point before or after a Lakes blast.
🏍️ Fun fact: There’s been a barn on this site since the 16th century. These days, it hosts some of the liveliest ride-outs in the region.
Image: Rivi Barn Bikers Facebook
4. Route 59 Café – Skipton
📍 Just outside the Dales, technically North Yorkshire, but close enough
American diner-style café with a proper biker crowd. Loads of parking and easy access to the Dales and Forest of Bowland.
🛻 Bonus: The burgers are very American. Expect to need both hands and a nap.
Image: Carl Denney – Route 59 Cafe Facebook
5. Owd Nells Tavern – Bilsborrow
📍 Near Preston
More pub than café, but biker-friendly with regular bike nights, hearty food, and a canal-side setting that’s pure charm.
🍺 Ride safe: There’s great non-alcoholic beer here if you’re staying on two wheels.
Image: Owd Nells Tavern X
Roads That’ll Have You Grinning in Your Lid
Here’s where the North West really shines—cracking roads with proper variety: mountain passes, open straights, forest tunnels, and seaside sweepers.
🏞️ Kirkstone Pass (A592) – Lake District
- Tight hairpins, steep climbs, and killer views
- Best done early morning before traffic builds
- Stop at the Kirkstone Pass Inn for a photo op
🌳 Forest of Bowland (Trough of Bowland)
- Narrow, twisting lanes through untouched countryside
- Sheep hazards guaranteed
- Perfect for a peaceful ride, especially midweek
🌊 Coastal Road from Arnside to Barrow-in-Furness
- Hug the coast with wide bends and sea breezes
- Low traffic and great for cruisers
- End in Barrow for a fish ‘n’ chip stop by the docks
🧭 Snake Pass (A57) – Technically Peak District, but close
- Stunning moorland scenery
- Popular with riders for its rhythm and visibility
- Watch for speed cameras and weather changes
Biker-Friendly Attractions
Make a full day of it by mixing in some local sights and spots where your leathers won’t get funny looks.
- Lakeland Motor Museum – Vintage bikes and classic cars galore
- Windermere Ferry – Cross the lake with your bike for a quirky photo and a peaceful break
- Southport Pier – Grab an ice cream and do the slow roll down Marine Drive
- Tatton Park – Gorgeous gardens and open parkland, often used for car and bike shows
- Lancaster Castle – Spooky, historic, and a great excuse to park up and stretch
Tips for Riding in the North West
- Watch the weather – It can go from sunny to soggy faster than your heated grips can catch up.
- Go early on weekends – Popular routes get packed fast.
- Look out for sheep and tractors – Especially in Cumbria and Bowland.
- Petrol can be sparse – Fill up when you can, especially in rural bits of the Lakes.
🎯 Local knowledge: In Lancashire, a “brew” isn’t just tea—it’s any hot drink. Say yes if offered.
Sample Day Ride-Out Itinerary (Lancs + Lakes)
Start: Rivington Barn
Route:
➡️ Head north through Belmont and Turton
➡️ Cut into the Trough of Bowland via Whitewell
➡️ Cross into Cumbria through Kirkby Lonsdale
➡️ Snack stop at Devil’s Bridge
➡️ Loop around Lake Windermere
➡️ Climb Kirkstone Pass
➡️ Coffee and cake at The Filling Station Café
Total Distance: ~160 miles
Riding Time: 6–7 hours with stops
Image: SallysCottages
North West, Best Dressed
The North West is more than just rolling hills and hard rain. It’s where bikers gather, ride, eat, and laugh. Whether you want a quick blast, a café chat, or a full-day ride through moorland, mountain and coast, this region delivers the goods.
So gear up, head out, and remember—every corner turned in the North West could lead to your new favourite café.
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