Lunch stop in the East Midlands area

[Aussie Andy]

Hi,

Weather permitting, my mate and I are planning a visit to Sheffield in a couple of Sundays time... but we know the cafe there will not be open, so thinking of stopping for lunch at some other airfield in the area. Looking at the map, choices heading back roughly south or nearby appear to be:

• Hucknall
• Retford
• Leicester (but, lovely as it is, have been here many times before...)
• Derby
• Tattenhill
• East Midlands (but assume its too expensive to land here?)

Your thoughts / recommendations would be appreciated

Andy

(p.s. Coventry not considered as have been there recently)

[Flyin'Dutch']

I dunno where you are flying from but have you considered Conington or Sywell.

The Sunday lunch at the latter is quite good and plenty of ambiance.

Tatenhil has not got a cafe.

FD

[Chilli Monster]

In order:

Hucknall - no catering, very much a 'club' in the true sense of the word.

Retford - Believe somewhere has just opened up but can't comment as not been there for a while

Leicester - you know

Derby - closed at the moment (due waterlogging), small club atmosphere. I wouldn't risk it this time of year

Tatenhill - already mentioned

East Mids - ouch!

Two you've not mentioned:

Sandtoft - cafe on the airfield which is normally quite good, but watch the street lamps on the approach (the threshold is displaced for good reason!)

Nottingham - Truman aviation cafe will do Bacon butties / sausages / burgers as well as coffee and cake type things. In addition Tiger Moth pub (on airfield) does food also.

[greeners]

Was at Nottingham (Tollerton) a couple of weeks ago and can heartily recommend the bacon butties!

There is an old pub there which I was told is being converted into a decent Indian restaurant. Obviously doesn't help you now, but worth thinking about later on in the year.

[Flyboynick]

If you're heading for the Sheffield area you couldn't go far wrong with the food in the clubhouse at Netherthorpe, it is excellent.

The airfield is PPR by phone now with a landing distance of 370 metres on Rwy 24 but uphill

[Flock1]

Retford/Gamston has a nice cafe. Been there a few times and have been treated very well. Nice runway, and good overall place to visit.

[S-Works]

Tattenhill has a cafe.

[Rod1]

Tattenhill has a very good cafe!

Rod1

[2Donkeys]

In addition Tiger Moth pub (on airfield) does food also.

The Tiger Moth at Tollerton has been closed for ages, and remains so as of yesterday.

[Chilli Monster]

Cheers 2D's - shows how often I get back and why I'm selling the share!

[WorkingHard]

Go east young man- try Fenland. Cheap landing, open skies and approaches and excellent food. Sheffield just 30 mins or so in average a/c

[squawking 7700]

Don't you need a snorkel, mask and flippers at Fenland at this time of year?

Heard it was based aircraft only at the moment 'cos it's a bit damp.

It's got to be Netherthorpe really, the grub's the best out of all mentioned and the place has got some character (and characters). Go and do some dambusting first down the valley's.

Hope you're in practice for short field t/o & landing.


7700

[Aussie Andy]

Thanks everyone - PPRuNe comes through as always!

Well I am daunted by Netherthorpe's short runway, so have decide we will try Nottingham as its roughly on the way home (back to RAF Benson via LE and WCO, whereas outbound we're going round the other way, via DTY and LIC) and it sounds OK and looks interesting-ish on their website.

Something tells me that after all this, the wx will be against us: hope not but if it is will do it later in the year!

Thanks again folks,


Andy

[jayteeto]

I love this post!! Please give your reviews of the cafes everywhere. I love food. Sleap airfield has an excellent facility and the airfield has long runways for large people like me to take off.

[big.al]

Andy - obviously you know Leicester well, but if you fancy saving a landing fee and have a copy of the latest Pilot magazine, there's a voucher for a free landing at Leic duing February. Never been there myself so planning to use my voucher this Sunday, wx permitting!

On a similar subject but a different location, does anyone know if the AV8 restaurant at Kemble is as good as it sounds?

Cheers.

[S-Works]

The AV8 at Kemble is fantatsic, the best aviation eatery I have been to. It puts most restuarants to shame! Interior is very modern "Ikea" style and the food is great.

The airfield is truly GA friendly with some interesting aircraft there. Landing fee is around £10 quid for a single and about £18 for the twin. Not bad for the welcome and the level service.

[Tango Oscar]

Kemble is indeed excellent. I've only been the twice, but was made to feel very welcome both times. Some very interesting types to wander round looking at, and the food is fabulous.

[DamienB]

Sywell Sunday lunch... well the food's fine but the service has gone downhill badly over the last few months now they're reduced to having hordes of young girls who simply have no idea what they're doing and seem to spend most of their time chatting to each other or walking aimlessly up and down while staring at the floor.

Expect to wait ages to get your order taken, ages for it appear... bit... by... bit, ages to get a drink (just walk to the bar, far quicker), and aaaaaaaaages to get the bill (last time we gave up entirely, guessed the amount and left the cash on the table).

Turns a good meal into a frustrating experience, not what you want really.

[fireflybob]

Thoroughly recommend Joy Bells Cafe at Nottingham aerodrome - think she also does an all day breakfast which is excellent value.

Seem to remember Mon and Tues are her day off so best to avoid these days.

And yes the latest is that the old Tiger Moth is to become an Indian Curry house - we can't wait!!

[Aussie Andy]

Yummy! Can't wait!