Just into the Nottinghamshire border, nestled in Sherwood Forest, is the iconic Welbeck Estate. Spanning 15,000 acres, seeped in history and with an impeccable reputation within the foodie community, Welbeck – and particularly the Harley Café – has become one of my favourite places to visit over the last couple of years.
So far, I’ve only had breakfast at The Harley Café, but half a dozen consistently great experiences (plus some reading into the ethos alongside it being the best place to meet one of my most favourite people) means that it now holds a very special place in my heart. So it’s about time I shared the love!
Breakfast at Harley Café
The Harley Café Full English sums up what makes this place great. Whilst it’s almost never my dish of choice, one of my dining companions assures me it’s done particularly well here.
For me, it’s the story behind the dish and the provenance of the ingredients. The bacon is cured and prepared by the award-winning butchery team at the Welbeck Farm Shop, using traditionally farmed local pork. The sausages are hand-linked in natural skins. The free-range eggs are freshly laid and collected by hand from the walled garden. The bread is made on site by The Welbeck Bakehouse.
Harley Café menu
The menu changes regularly and with the seasons. In addition to more traditional options, breakfast staples include Spanish eggs and a seasonal French toast.
Harley Café serves food throughout the day. In addition to their locally sourced breakfast and lunch menus, there’s a good selection of sweet treats. Barista coffees are made from Dark Woods, a community-focused coffee roastery who responsibly source. Hot chocolates are made from Sheffield-based Bullion’s ‘bean-to-bar’ artisan offering. There’s a bijou wine selection and ales from Welbeck Abbey Brewery.
You can’t book, so be prepared for a short queue (which is outside – so dress for the weather), but the always-friendly staff work hard to seat you quickly and then it’s full table service, which I always prefer.
The Welbeck Courtyard
Harley Café is set within an attractive courtyard which also hosts the expansive Welbeck Farm Shop and a free-to-enter art gallery and museum.
Until the 4th January, the exhibition is ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and Other Adventures’ by Helen Oxenbury (with an interactive walking ‘art trail’ from the Gallery to Creswell Crags) so this Christmas would be a particularly great time to take the kids.
Go for:
Delicious, locally-sourced homemade hot and cold food and drink, served by friendly, attentive staff – in a unique setting.
Details:
Harley Café, Welbeck, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 3LW
Ample free parking.
No bookings taken. Walk-ins only. Full table service.
Family friendly – there’s a dedicated children’s menu and a can-do attitude to adapting dishes for little picky eaters. Highchairs available and breastfeeding friendly.
Wheelchair accessible and an accessible toilet (although there is only one toilet and often a queue at busy times).
Vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options.
Well-behaved dogs on leads at outdoor seating areas, where water bowls are available. There’s also a dog park. Read my guide to dog-friendly places to eat and drink.
