Lakeside Café, Castle Donington: Tranquil breakfast emporium just a stone’s throw from Donington Park

• Opening hours: 7 days a week 7am-2.30pm
• Find out more: Facebook: The Lakeside Café
• Address: 87 Ryecroft Rd, Derby DE74 2RE

It may be small, but there are plenty of home comforts

Before a day on track or a ride out with mates, many bikers are now setting their meeting point at Lakeside Café, as it’s a stone’s throw from Donington Park. It’s a tranquil spot to grab a cuppa and get ready for the day ahead.

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“There’s a total of seven fishing lakes here,” says owner Tim Lewis. “People don’t usually know we’re here; they usually think the café is for the fishery, but when they know – they love it!”

What was once a hatch is now an open space

Lakeside Café is also a popular stop for local motorcycle instructors and their students, so all manner of folk walk through the door… which Tim built himself!

Inside the conservatory at the café

“I took over in December and got Sharon [Ballinger] in to help me as manager. I improved it, added in a few things and built the conservatory. Now people tell us that we’re a quaint place tucked away in a corner of Hemington – a hidden gem.”

Nothing beats an all-day brekkie – and with a choice of size on the menu, you can choose depending on how many miles you’re set to be riding

Tim wants to make sure the food offering fits in with the ‘gem’ status, so gets all his meat from the local butcher, and his veg and salad from the market.

“We do an all-day breakfast – small, large, and mega which has fried bread – and we can do hot cobs with whatever they like!”

Tim built a brand new outside seating area recently with more plans for the rest of the year

Unfortunately, as the gates to the fishery shut early, Tim can’t host a bike night yet, but he’s working on it. “Everyone is welcome, we want the big groups to come! I’d love to be open in the evening, I’ve built a proper dining area outside. But the main thing is they can keep coming and to tell their friends – it’s a great meeting place.”

Cruise Cannock Chase

East on A50, turn left onto A38 then right onto Wood End Lane. Left onto A515 then join A51. Left onto Borough Lane then follow the road ahead until Littleworth Road, right on Rawnsley Road. Right then left, right on Penkridge Bank Road to Rugeley. Join A51, A513, Holiford Road to A51. Through Newton, Abbots Bromley and left onto A515 then A50 to the café.

For more inspiration for places to go and things to do on your motorbike, head to our interactive map.