Nicest on-airfield restaurants in southern England
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Planet Moo Moo
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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.
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.
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: S Warwickshire
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
I would have thought that Biggles Restaurant at Denham would be a prime contender.
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...e_England.html
(Not the same as the Crew Room, which I'm very fond of, but is substantially less posh)
G
https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restau...e_England.html
(Not the same as the Crew Room, which I'm very fond of, but is substantially less posh)
G
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.
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.
Meg’s Cafe Shobdon
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.
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Under the clag EGKA
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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.
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: London
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It’s all about the chips ...the common denominator
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 !
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 !
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.
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hither and Thither
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Southend is an option with 1935 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).
Good views of airside. Main issue is the length of hike from where you are parked to landside access (through the old FBO).