IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS TODAY…

We head into Epping Forest to taste the treats at the Original Tea Hut

Our odyssey to discover the best of Britain’s biker cafés takes us back to basics this week, as we forage in the forest to discover the delights of the longestestablished motorcyclists’ meeting point on our list – the suitably named ‘Original Tea Hut’ at High Beach in the uplands of Essex.

The Tea Hut has occupied essentially the same location in Epping Forest since 1930, when speedway fans would flock to the nearby track. Those days are long gone, but the clearing in the woods where current owner Bradley Melton’s great uncle Ernie set up shop more than 80 years ago still bustles. Close proximity to J26 of the M25 makes the Tea Hut easily accessible from almost any direction and it’s just a short ride through the woods from there. There’s plenty of dedicated parking and although only a small patch is solid hardstanding the rest of the area is tightly packed chippings and it supports our sidestand with no problem at all. Facilities might be minimal but the surroundings are superb – this is outdoor dining at its finest. The atmosphere is just like a cosy local pub, where the friendly regulars welcome new faces and are always up for a chat. “There’s a great network here,” says Roy Patton. “Whatever you need, there’s always someone here who’ll know somebody.”

The menu is more varied than some ‘indoor’ cafés we’ve visited, but we stay simple and go sausage, bacon, eggs and toast. It’s not quite the Full English, but the top-quality fare is served with a smile, passing our taste test with flying colours. And at a smidge over a fiver it’s top value, too.