The Blackmore Cafe Guide

The "best" cycling cafes of Essex

As you know we’re great fans of the coffee stop and what we’re aiming to do here is give you some alternate ideas for your own.

There will be some obvious ones although ideally we’re going for more left field choices. That’ll probably last for the first five but with your suggestions included we’re looking forward to finding some that even we didn’t know about!

N.B. This is going to be a constant work in progress and may never actually be finished!! 

3 Years Late, Writtle

3 Years Late may have passed you by. Situated on a trading estate just outside of Writtle 3YL opens between 9:30am-5pm Mon-Fri to cater for the businesses and passing trade on the estate and makes it ideal for your midweek ride outs. The thing that makes 3YL truly unique is that it is supplied by its very own roasters, Mac & Me, who provide coffee to scores of local independent coffee shops, pubs and restaurants. So when you buy your coffee at 3YL you really are buying from the experts and straight from source.

Inside the small and quirky café there is ample seating and a range of cakes (vegan inc) to power you home and as a final added bonus because it’s also affiliated to a wine distributor you can make off with a case of excellent red if have a strong pannier rack or really big jersey pockets!

3 Years Late is situated on the Reeds Farm industrial Estate off the A1060 (not an advisable entry but possible) or from the back entrance (wahay) off Cow Watering Lane (which is much more convivial) near Writtle and the best post code is CM1 3ST. Damian and the team will doubtless give you a very warm welcome!

Rosy Lea Café, North Weald Airfield

For many North Weald still remains the spiritual home of cycle sport in Essex. But since the police kicked us out the service roads have remained silent in the summer months. At the end of the perimeter road however lies our second selection for Best Cycling Cafes in Essex. We first discovered this beauty on a ride out with The Heavy Metal Cycling Club a year or so ago on a journey to see The Skymaster. And I can tell you we were late to the party.

Rosy Lea’s lies inside an old hanger or revamped bunker or something at the end of the airfield. Getting there requires a bit of assertiveness as you have to skirt the outside of the airfield, past a loads of parked buses and cars (or the back of the market at the weekend) before crossing the top of the runway and then meandering past a range of hangers before reaching the café at the very end of the road; it’s a bit of an adventure in itself in honesty. But after all that you’re greeted by a spacious building with lots of room for bikes in a big outside area that we’ve never witnessed to be overly busy which borders the taxi area for all the aircraft. So you can basically hang out here, drink coffee (or tea if you have to) eat some food and watch the planes and helicopters take off and land. The menu has a wide range of things and runs all day catering for all needs, the fare is good and if you’re on a lucky day you’ll see the resident Spitfires take off and land a few times. There are loads of seats and its basically a winner. You just have to give way to aircraft on the way in as you cross the runway!

The Stores, Great Waltham

Tucked into the chicane in Great Waltham on the route of the Tour De France 2014 lies a fantastic little family run coffee shop/café/restaurant. The Stores. Purveyors of all sorts of fine local produce and serving freshly cooked meals and cakes that caters for all dietary requirements. The Stores has been open a little less than a decade now and has established itself as a firm favorite with us and many other cyclists for its great breakfasts and excellent coffee. It has ample space both inside and outside in the sunny courtyard for small to medium size groups and as they let you bring in your bikes through the back door the cycle parking is really secure and there’s always a warm welcome.

The Blue Egg/Knead Food, Great Bardfield

Absolutely synonymous with cycling in Essex. The list is not complete without it. The Blue Egg was made famous as a regular hangout for our three finest pros; Dowsett, Cavendish and Hampton, so much so that their shirts still adorn the walls. So ingrain it is in Essex Cycling Culture that should you mention to a riding friend the you're going to "Whack out a midweek Egg" they will immediately know what you mean. The Egg lies a good punch from several population bases an as such serves as a bit of a magnet for groups from all around. Good coffee, a sun facing terrace and a wide range of food from big meals to light bites and everything else in-between you can have a quick stop at The Egg or a long one! So if you want to walk in the footsteps of giants there is only one destination.

Ethos Bros, Kelvedon Hatch

Nestled within a trading estate near to the not so secret Nuclear Bunker is Ethos Bros; a family run vegan cafe with a focus on home cooked fresh food. Ethos Bros sport a broad menu with a range of cakes and specialty coffees on offer to suit any apatite and mood. The atmosphere is always friendly and relaxed and the standard of food is top notch. If you are not a fully fledged vegan or vegetarian don't be put off at all and we implore you embrace it and if in doubt go for the pancakes or the buddha bowl!! And the coffee is magnificent. 

Megarrys Antiques and Teashop, Blackmore Village 

Personally I'm not a fan of the tearooms in the middle of the village. Megarrys however has the charm and homely feel that we're after. Is the coffee as good as others? No. Is the menu broad and homecooked? No. Is there wifi? No. But you will get a good filter coffee (or tea) and cake a good chat and a bit of peace and quite.