Nicest on-airfield restaurants in southern England

[KeyPilot]

Hi everyone,

I know this used to be a perennial question, however my searches just now have drawn a blank.

Where does the collective wisdom of PPRuNe Private Flying believe are the best on-airfield restaurants in the South? If any previous threads are relevant (and someone is better at searching than I!), please direct.

Thanks,
KP

[Alsacienne]

The Pilot's Hub at Redhill ... high quality food, copious portions, delicious homemade cakes, speedy and genuinely friendly service and a bill that won't break the bank. Family friendly and a wonderful glimpse at aircraft under restoration in the hanger behind when you go to the toilet. https://www.pilotshub.co.uk/ Every visit we have made has been a genuine pleasure especially as the reasons behind our regular visits to the UK were not happy ones and these have been our high points and things to look forward to.

[Phororhacos]

The Hummingbird Restaurant in the main terminal at Shoreham does very good food.

[KeyPilot]

Thanks both, I have been to Shoreham (indeed very nice!) but never Redhill.

Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[chevvron]

The 'Hangar Cafe' at Fairoaks is great, open 8 am - 4pm but avoid going there at about 11am; that's when all the 'lycra louts' turn up and block the queue when all they want is their water bottles re-filled.

[ETOPS]

Sandown IOW https://www.eghn.org.uk/island-bistro/

[kestrel539]

Compton Abbas

[TheFrenchConnection]

At Blackbushe yesterday morning - very nice , prices , quality of food & drink and very busy on a bright autumn weekday morning
https://www.thebushecafe.co.uk/ pic from yesterday below ;

I hear from South West relatives , Compton Abbas , is also very good.
Also, White Waltham is ... very good from our experience , our visits.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/pprune.org-vbulletin/1235x925/blackbushe_airport_24_9_20_am_400f4739971334480fe5c08b1ba703 9166fd2843.jpg
Pic. from yesterday morning, Thursday 24th September 2020 AM. Blackbushe plenty of social distancing seating inside and outside ✓

[Arfur Dent]

If you wanted to head North a bit you could try The Flight Deck Cafe at Turweston (EGBT). Very nice but it may be a bit too far…...

[Flyingbadge]

Ikaron at Elstree. Good food.

[Trav a la]

Naafi Restaurant & The Squadron Mess Bar at North Weald Airfield.
Full of history, interesting residents and great food.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g503778-d8735977-Reviews-Naafi_Restaurant_The_Squadron_Mess_Bar-Epping_Essex_England.html

[3wheels]

Naafi Restaurant & The Squadron Mess Bar at North Weald Airfield.
Full of history, interesting residents and great food.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g503778-d8735977-Reviews-Naafi_Restaurant_The_Squadron_Mess_Bar-Epping_Essex_England.html

Closed nearly two years ago. Under “restoration”

No sign of it opening anytime soon.

[Sleeve Wing]

As French Connection has mentioned :-
Also, White Waltham is ... very good from our experience , our visits.

No brainer ! Great restaurant staff, good varied selection of food, normally fast service except busy lunchtimes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The wartime Clubhouse has a lovely friendly atmosphere and appreciates all visitors, particularly if they arrive in an interesting form of transport - vintage or exciting car or aeroplane.

[asyncio]

Closed nearly two years ago. Under “restoration”
No sign of it opening anytime soon.

The latest word is it should be open by the end of the year. (It was supposed to be open by now, until the lockdown delayed it further)
Both buildings are being completely gutted and restored.
The timber building has had a completely new roof and exterior cladding fitted when I was last up a couple of weeks ago, and they were making a start on refitting the interior.

[OvertHawk]

Compton Abbas
Make that a second vote for Compton Abbas

[AirUK]

The 'Hangar Cafe' at Fairoaks is great, open 8 am - 4pm but avoid going there at about 11am; that's when all the 'lycra louts' turn up and block the queue when all they want is their water bottles re-filled.

I wouldn’t say this place is great, had a sandwich their recently and it was firmly below average.

The Crew Room at Denham is fairly good, as is the Airways Flying Club cafe at Booker.

Top of the list for me are Pilot’s Hub at Redhill, Compton Abbas, Shoreham and The Bushe Cafe at Blackbushe. I’m told the Propeller Inn at Sandown is good too, but haven’t been there myself.

[3wheels]

The latest word is it should be open by the end of the year. (It was supposed to be open by now, until the lockdown delayed it further)
Both buildings are being completely gutted and restored.
The timber building has had a completely new roof and exterior cladding fitted when I was last up a couple of weeks ago, and they were making a start on refitting the interior.

I hope you’re right but, as of this week, they haven't finished the first or started on the second building.....

[Meester proach]

What about the one at Kemble ? Has that reopened

[asyncio]

I hope you’re right but, as of this week, they haven't finished the first or started on the second building.....

Hmm. Hope it hasn't been delayed again. They seemed to be finally making progress last time I was there.
I haven't been for a few weeks now, as my aircraft is also being refurbished at the moment and is away for a respray.

[Sleeve Wing]

Kemble Av8r not reopened yet although there is a mobile Burger bar in the car park. Mediocre.

[Wirbelsturm]

The 'Hangar Cafe' at Fairoaks is great, open 8 am - 4pm but avoid going there at about 11am; that's when all the 'lycra louts' turn up and block the queue when all they want is their water bottles re-filled.

Been supporting this place for years, flying in to Fairoaks in helicopters, fixed wing and cycling in as a 'Lycra Lout' :rolleyes:
Ironically I, and many of my friends, have spent a fortune with the Cafe (they even very kindly gave us 'local cyclists' coffee during their 're-furb') in that time and never once 'only' had 'water bottles re-filled'. Beware the biting off the hand that feeds many, many local businesses around the UK!

Edited to add: It's a lovely cafe. Blackbushe as well is great, my son, also a Lycra lout, has done his PPL there and loves it.

[Mark 1]

The problem with cafes and restaurants on airfields is business is largely dependent on good weather unless there is sufficient clientele from local towns and businesses.
AV8 at Kemble and the Flying Club Cafe at Nympsfield have both fallen victim to pandemic restrictions.
The propeller Inn at Bembridge is one good option.
If you're willing to walk 10-20 minutes from the field there could be a lot more choice.
A bit further north Leicester has a good cafe and Nottingham has a decent Indian restaurant next door.

[Jan Olieslagers]

The problem with cafes and restaurants on airfields is business is largely dependent on good weather unless there is sufficient clientele from local towns and businesses. Sadly, that is very true, and not only in UK. No cafe/restaurant can offer a decent level of service based only on local aviation custom. The saddest illustration is the resto at LFAC Calais, doing fairly well in summer, going bust in autumn, restarted by a new enthusiast in spring, only to repeat the cycle.

[ewe.lander]

4th vote for Compton Abbas, fun approach too!

[Alsacienne]

The problem with cafes and restaurants on airfields is business is largely dependent on good weather unless there is sufficient clientele from local towns and businesses.
Very true, but Redhill's 'The Pilot's Hub' is not only welcomed by pilots but also by local families and employees of light industry and administration around the airfield. And even in the dodgiest of weather, their cooked breakfasts set you up for the day ahead ... and a cup of hot chocolate and a slice of cake for the mid-afternoon dip!

[lpvapproach]

I wouldn’t say this place is great, had a sandwich their recently and it was firmly below average..

Agreed sorry fairoaks doesn't belong here.

[Cyclic Hotline]

The Pilot's Hub in Redhill is exceptionally good, and may be the consistently best breakfast I have ever had anywhere in the UK. Great food, great service and a great location.

[robin]

Thumbs up for The Aviator at Dunkeswell

[TCU]

I'd second Compton and WW and add Andrewsfield into the mix

[davenuk]

Thumbs up for The Aviator at Dunkeswell

nice carvery on a sunday

[Genghis the Engineer]

I would have thought that Biggles Restaurant at Denham would be a prime contender.

https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g616258-d787384-Reviews-Biggles-Denham_Buckinghamshire_England.html

(Not the same as the Crew Room, which I'm very fond of, but is substantially less posh)

G

[India Four Two]

It's been many years since I was at Compton Abbas, but I'm glad to hear that the restaurant is still recommended. I can remember some wonderful breakfasts there, on lovely summer days.

One of the nice things is the hilltop* setting, with wonderful views to the north, except when they are obscured by flying machines! ;)

* 811' ASL. I flew from there a few times in the 80s and 90s, when visiting my mother, who lived near Shaftesbury. I remember a young instructor asking me if I was familiar with high-altitude operations. My local airfield is 3700' ASL. :)

[davidjohnstone]

Shobdon might be a bit too far for some of you southerners, but young Meg has done wonders to the Hotspure Cafe at Shobdon and has improved the visitor count.

[effortless]

Trouble with Shoreham is landing fees I believe. Haven’t flown for years but I understand that they have really gone up. If you are up to it, lunch in Bembridge or even Le Touquet was always a nice day out.

[LysanderV8]

Another vote for Compton Abbas and Dunkeswell. If you can go a bit to the East, Beccles offers really great food at low prices.

[Charlesschrager]

have done all of the following in the last few months:

Agree Redhill is excellent ( including the chips) - extensive and well thought out menu, good coffee.

Otherwise - Compton Abbas - great and generous sausage baguette ( terrible chips)

Sandown - burger and chips v good ( chips much improved )

Bembridge - propeller inn - v good fish and chips

Fairoaks - old fashioned motorway service like - adequate but you’ve gotta be hungry

Kemble - only the AV8 van is working - typical van fare - staff v helpful

Exeter - passenger terminal was closed recently - not sure if it opens by appointment post Flybe closure. Pasties good but sell out quickly when it does open.
Nearby pub Jack on the green is very good indeed.

lydd - Kit Kat & coffee only alas, but staff v charming

Headcorn - B+ for the burger and an A for the chips

popham - B+ for the English breakfast - lovely service and charming airfield

one question there’s supposed to be a grass strip in north Kent with good food - shortish strip though !

hope this helps !

[Andy H]

It might be worth noting that Popham, which had outside catering during the summer, has re-opened the cafe in the Clubroom. Lisa is offering a good selection of meals, including the famous Popham-All-Morning-Breakfast.

[Red Four]

Southend is an option with 1935 Restaurant-bar (https://hisouthend.com/dining/1935-rooftop-restaurant-bar/).
Good views of airside. Main issue is the length of hike from where you are parked to landside access (through the old FBO).

[Blink182]

A big thumbs up for the eatery at Elstree ...... the Ikeron cafe. Lovely food and friendly staff

[PoacherNowGamekeeper]

Pilot's Hub - Redhill!