This page isn’t specifically about mountaineering, but since cafes and pubs are important to my enjoyment of climbing I thought I would add a few short reviews here. Note that not all the cafes and pubs reviewed are anywhere near to a mountain or rock face. However, it’s useful to know where there is a decent establishment whatever part of the country you are in. The information provided is purely my own personal opinion and since places change over the years, your experiences might be different to mine!

1.  North Wales.

1.1  Llanberis.

Many years ago (1970′s) there was Wendy’s, which was owned by two climbers. Wendy’s deserved the full three Skull and Crossbones award in the Greasy Spoon Cafe Awards. In 1978, after Wendy’s had closed, Pete and Vicky Norton opened Pete’s Eats . The cafe is still in the same place and still run by Pete and Vicky, though they take a more back seat role these days. It has now expanded both into the house next door and into a restaurant on the opposite side of the road. The food is good with a varied menu. You can while away wet days drinking mugs of tea looking at the digital slide-show and reading the newspapers and magazines. There is the legendary “Big Jim”. If you can finish one of these without your arteries getting completely clogged, you get another one free! Accomodation and Internet access available.

1.2  Nant-Peris

The Vaynol Arms . Decent beer and good food. In the old days you needed to be careful not to upset Don Whillans, who was frequently propping up the bar.

1.3  Tremadoc.

Eric Jones cafe is conveniently situated right under the crag. You can gaze at pictures of Eric’s exploits while eating your food. There is also a campsite and a bunk house. At one time Eric used to wake campers with a fresh mug of tea, although I suspect that this was a ploy to stop people getting away without paying.

2.  Peak District.

2.1  Outside - Hathersage and Calver Crossroads.

2.2  Stoney Cafe.

In the 70′s and 80′s this was a very popular meeting place for climbers. It was closed for a while, but has now re-invented itself as a Cafe/Bistro.

2.3  The Chequers Frogatt.

3.  The Alps.

3.1  Chamonix.

At one time the Bar Nationale was a mecca for British alpinists. Slightly less expensive than other bars, it had a slightly run down ambiance. Maurice, the proprietor, would peer at you with an amazing cross eyed expression. Despite having no interest in climbing Maurice was synpathetic to the unruly Brits who spent all day in has bar drinking a single beer. Sadly he died a couple of years ago having spent the latter part of is life confined upstairs in the Bar.

4.  Shropshire

4.1  Ludlow.

De Grey’s tea rooms. Step into your Tardis and go back to the the golden age of English tea room. Tea is brought to your table by one of the many waitresses, smartly dressed in starched white aprons. Cakes and pastries are baked in their own bakery and a selection is placed on your table on one of those three tier contraptions you see in old films.

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