Cafes

Hartside Top Cafe

Hartside, Alston, Cumbria CA9 3BW

Tel: 01434 381036

At 1893 feet above sea level the famous Hartside Top Café is England's highest cafe, with a truly magnificent view looking out over the Great Gable, Skidaw, Helvellyn and the Scottish Criffel. Situated in total wilderness adjacent to the A686 between Penrith and Alston, Hartside brings travellers from all over to sample the truly glorious combination of hearty food, warm hospitality and stunning views.

Owners Kath and Colin Renwick accompanied by their right hand lady and in house baker Jayneann Burrow have created a buzzing business over the last 7 years serving a variety of very reasonably priced breakfasts, homemade cakes, snacks and hot and cold lunches such as hot turkey bap with stuffing and cranberry, or the hearty vegetable and ham homemade broth. Most of the produce is locally sourced. A small selection of hot and cold drinks made to taste are also available.

A popular stop off point for coaches, families or adventurous hikers, Hartside opens its doors daily from 9am-5pm all year apart from in the winter months. It seats a surprising 100 people inside, with room for at least 50 more on its terrace and garden area where the beauty of Cumbria can be soaked up along with the sunshine in the summer months.

The café isn't just popular with enthusiastic ramblers, it has gone down in biking history as one of the best places in the country to enjoy some good food, a cuppa and a chat as it sits in the middle of one of England's best loved motorbike routes, famous for its tight and twisty chicanes leading up to an altitude of 1904 feet and fast bends sweeping all the way down the valley at the bottom.

Hartside also has good disabled access and toilets, but only accepts cash and cheque. Biker or not, this gem of an eatery is well worth a pitstop, with views and hospitality second to none.

Click here to leave your feedback on this establishment - featured in The Hidden Places of the Lake District and Cumbria