Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Non-Airline Forums > Private Flying
Reload this Page >

Nicest on-airfield restaurants in southern England

Private Flying LAA/BMAA/BGA/BPA The sheer pleasure of flight.

Nicest on-airfield restaurants in southern England

Old 26th Sep 2020, 10:45
  #21 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Planet Moo Moo
Posts: 1,279
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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'
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.
Wirbelsturm is offline  
Old 26th Sep 2020, 12:14
  #22 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: S Warwickshire
Posts: 1,214
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Mark 1 is offline  
Old 26th Sep 2020, 13:36
  #23 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Ansião (PT)
Posts: 2,779
Received 7 Likes on 7 Posts
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.
Jan Olieslagers is offline  
Old 26th Sep 2020, 14:00
  #24 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Posts: 138
Received 5 Likes on 1 Post
4th vote for Compton Abbas, fun approach too!
ewe.lander is offline  
Old 26th Sep 2020, 14:46
  #25 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: France
Posts: 527
Received 12 Likes on 6 Posts
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!
Alsacienne is offline  
Old 26th Sep 2020, 17:38
  #26 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: May 2015
Location: UK
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by AirUK
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.
lpvapproach is offline  
Old 26th Sep 2020, 17:47
  #27 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Oct 1999
Location: Beyond the black stump!
Posts: 1,418
Received 14 Likes on 7 Posts
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.
Cyclic Hotline is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2020, 09:06
  #28 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: Not a million miles from EGTF
Age: 68
Posts: 1,579
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thumbs up for The Aviator at Dunkeswell
robin is offline  
Old 27th Sep 2020, 16:28
  #29 (permalink)  
TCU
 
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: On BA58/59
Posts: 313
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
I'd second Compton and WW and add Andrewsfield into the mix
TCU is offline  
Old 28th Sep 2020, 07:37
  #30 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: House
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Originally Posted by robin
Thumbs up for The Aviator at Dunkeswell
nice carvery on a sunday
davenuk is offline  
Old 28th Sep 2020, 11:04
  #31 (permalink)  
Moderator
 
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: UK
Posts: 14,202
Received 46 Likes on 24 Posts
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
Genghis the Engineer is offline  
Old 1st Oct 2020, 04:46
  #32 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Saigon SGN/VVTS
Posts: 6,626
Received 58 Likes on 42 Posts
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.
India Four Two is offline  
Old 1st Oct 2020, 07:45
  #33 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: Presteigne
Posts: 10
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
davidjohnstone is offline  
Old 1st Oct 2020, 10:13
  #34 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Under the clag EGKA
Posts: 1,024
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.

effortless is offline  
Old 3rd Oct 2020, 15:26
  #35 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Shoreham
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Another vote for Compton Abbas and Dunkeswell. If you can go a bit to the East, Beccles offers really great food at low prices.
LysanderV8 is offline  
Old 11th Oct 2020, 21:11
  #36 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: London
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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 !



Charlesschrager is offline  
Old 12th Oct 2020, 08:15
  #37 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: UK
Age: 81
Posts: 59
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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.
Andy H is offline  
Old 12th Oct 2020, 08:31
  #38 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jun 2001
Location: Hither and Thither
Posts: 575
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
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).
Red Four is offline  
Old 12th Oct 2020, 21:16
  #39 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Near the Mountains of Sussex
Posts: 270
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
A big thumbs up for the eatery at Elstree ...... the Ikeron cafe. Lovely food and friendly staff
Blink182 is offline  
Old 21st Oct 2020, 16:21
  #40 (permalink)  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: West of Lower Upham
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Pilot's Hub - Redhill!
PoacherNowGamekeeper is offline  

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.