Great Western Coffee Shop

We have a thread for hotels near stations, but how about food and drink, close to stations? I mention this after almost accidentally taking refreshments with Mrs FT, N! when dropping her at Tiverton Parkway. We had intended to try out the farm shop and café on the left as you enter the approach road, but it was closed.  Coming out of the car park, we noticed that the café in the golf driving range is open to the general public.

It proved to serve a decent cup of coffee and very acceptable snacks and cake at a good price.

The Great Western by the closed Wolverhampton Low Level, short walk from back entrance to High Level famous for its grey peas and bacon.

Black Lion Consal Forge Churnet Valley only easily accessible by Churnet Valley Railway or Caldon Canal.

As one or two members might have guessed, my preferred alternative to the station buffet is the one on the train, or better still a full restaurant service.

There's a 24-hour cafe bar in the reception part of the Oxford YHA, behind platform 4. I've only tried the drink there, they had some craft beers at the time (2 years ago). They advertised their food https://www.yha.org.uk/sites/default/files/FULL-YHA-FULL-MENU.pdf (https://www.yha.org.uk/sites/default/files/FULL-YHA-FULL-MENU.pdf), so I assume this is available to non-residents.

The One http://theoneoxford.co.uk/The_One/Welcome.html (http://theoneoxford.co.uk/The_One/Welcome.html)
 Restaurant and Bar is only slight further along Botley Road, I've never been there, though.

http://www.thegreyfriarreading.co.uk/

Well worth a visit - 2 mins from Reading station and vastly superior to the Three Guineas.

Sullivan’s at Penzance.

The Railway Inn at Yatton.  Patronised, and approved, by myself, bobm and bignosemac, on various occasions.  ;D

Also at Yatton - the Strawberry Line Cafe.

Both within just a few steps of the platform (one on each side).  ;)

Has anyone used The Platform on the station approach road at Frome? It is very small and isolated away from virtually everything else in the town, and easily missed if you come out of the station, so I'm somewhat amazed it is surviving. I can't imagine that Frome has enough train users to keep it going.

Oh wow - I must make a point of taking a look at that;  so often, Frome compares to Melksham and we've got interest there in a cafe (and station assistance point) in the somewhat isolated area around the station.   I think you may be surprised how much "neighbour" rather than rail business such places generate, and the two elements together can make them viable.

I bought a coffee there whilst waiting for the Minehead special earlier this year.  It is very small and seems to have a regular patronage of locals.  Reasonable prices and friendly service with everything prepared to order.

There is a small trading estate next to it, so I assume that generates a little business. The nearest housing is across the main road, which is very difficult to cross, so i would be surprised if many locals call in, though there are no other cafes in that small part of the town.

The cafe outside Frome Station gets plenty of trade from local trading units. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to open until after 8am, so they miss out on the trade from the 100+ rail passengers who use the departures between 0605 and 0802. They could probably get a bit of trade from those on the 1015, which often has 50+ passengers waiting on the platform (and more on Saturday for the 1007).

I must recommend the little cafe (used to only be open for taxi drivers) by the 8/9 bus stops at Temple Meads. I've known it open at 8pm even in the winter. The bacon sandwiches are heartily recommended. At the opposite extreme is Harts bakery in the arches underneath the incline. An artisanal bakery where you can watch the bakers at work. All their products are extremely tasty and of award winning standards. To get to it, come out of the station, turn left, go down the flight of steps, and walk in front of the Bristol and Exeter building. The smell of the goodies will waft you there !

A few years ago, during a Bristol Food Festival,  Hart's Bakery was used by FGW as a pop up restaurant, to showcase their Pullman Dining. A team came up from Plymouth and took over the bakery kitchen for the evening.

Myself and bobm, with our lady friends, had a most enjoyable meal.

"The Platform" café outside Frome Station (and close to the ticket office) was originally opened (with new buildings etc) about 4-5? years ago with artisan and upper market credentials and I believe early opening. Unfortunately that model did not appear successful and the café closed for some period.

It has been under new management for perhaps 3 years with a more standard provision for travellers, taxi drivers and local businesses. It operates on fairly normal daytime opening hours. Clearly the business should be encouraged and there could be some potential for traveller information and support to the rail service. Frome ticket office is open Mo-Sa on the full morning shift to around 12.00.

Owned by a mate of mine, so pleased to see it getting publicity here :-)

I remember that as the Firebox, where several beers were drunk. So was I, come to think of it.

Good advice, except you no longer turn left for the airport bus.

https://flyer.bristolairport.co.uk/stops-and-maps (https://flyer.bristolairport.co.uk/stops-and-maps)