TOUR DE FRANCE 2014
Stage 3 Cambridge to London, Monday 7 July
Country pubs adopting French noms de plume; yellow bicycles and jerseys everywhere; teams of Lycra-clad pedalling enthusiasts on our roads: yes, Le Tour de France is coming to town. Making its
first visit to the UK since 2007, this bike-fest and supreme sporting challenge is taking over parts of England for three ‘stages’ and is sure to be a huge crowd-puller – even though national
treasure Sir Bradley Wiggins isn’t competing.
Stage 3 begins on Monday 7 July, when the whole shebang assembles on Gonville Place, by Parker’s Piece in Cambridge, before heading off through the city (taking in many of its hallowed colleges
along the way). The peloton then travels south through Cambridgeshire and Essex, moving into London via the Olympic Park. After wending its way past the Houses of Parliament and other landmarks,
the race concludes with a sprint along the Mall, finishing in front of Buckingham Palace. For full details, visit www.letour.2014stage3.com.
Here are our top picks for eating and drinking along the route – plus a few promising detours for good measure. Note that many places will be extending their opening hours during the Tour. Also
check road closures in the area.
Cambridge Chop House, Cambridge
Situated bang opposite King’s College Chapel in all its photogenic glory, this very British eatery dishes up trencherman plates of cured meat, steaks, chops and suet puddings alongside some more
offbeat options and seasonal specialities. Lager comes from Suffolk, but Languedoc-Roussillon rules on the Francophile wine list.
If you’re looking for
a top-end lunch, take your pick from the city’s two big hitters, Alimentum or Midsummer House (pictured, right) down by the river Cam.
Red Lion Inn, Hinxton
A regular Cambridgeshire boozer turned foodie destination, the Red Lion offers beer, burgers and banquettes in its low-ceilinged bar, plus swanky modern cuisine in a contemporary dining room –
think seared venison with pearl barley, celeriac and char-grilled courgettes. Puds are a star turn, and the pub also has a 70-strong wine list.
Eight Bells, Saffron Walden
Recently given a new lease of life, this well-liked pub in the centre of Saffron Walden has years of history under its belt – half-timbered walls and soaring rafters are reminders of its origins as
an old barn. The place also has a modern outlook with smart features and a family-friendly menu of grazing boards, grills and jazzed-up pub classics.
If you fancy a detour, try The Cricketers at Clavering – famously run by Jamie Oliver’s proud
parents.
Fox Inn (pictured, right), Finchingfield
The very picture of a quaint, 16th-century village pub (complete with village green and duck pond), The Fox feeds and waters its customers with honest grub, Adnams beers and well-chosen wines.
Expect a full roster of events on race day, from a special food marquee, VIP packages and Champagne breakfasts to picnics and live entertainment.
Theydon Oak, Epping
Nestled in the heart of Epping Forest, beside the ancient village of Coopersale, the Theydon Oak has been going about its business for nigh on four centuries – and the Grade-II listed building
still looks a pretty picture with its flowering baskets and mature trees all around. The huge garden is a hit with families.
Unity Kitchen Café, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London
Part of an enterprising social-events space staffed by people with disabilities, this Scandi-style café deals in grab-and-go salads, sandwiches, wraps, sweet treats and eclectic specials such as
braised lamb curry with sag aloo. Breakfast, brunch and great coffee too. Handily placed for the Tumbling Bay children’s playground and the Velodrome.
Restaurant at St Paul’s Cathedral, London
Secreted within the crypted vault of St Paul’s Cathedral, this bubbly restaurant is a terrific choice for lunch if you fancy sampling some of our nation’s patriotic nosh washed down with ‘Britain
in a glass’. There’s also the prospect of afternoon tea if you’re in the mood for cucumber sandwiches. Visit the adjoining café for soups, sarnies and cakes.
Perkin Reveller (pictured, right), Tower Wharf, London
With Tower Bridge, the Thames and the Tower of London on its doorstep, this all-purpose venue is just the ticket for camera-toting tourists as well as race watchers. Named after the reveller in
Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, Perkin majors on contemporary British food, London-brewed ales, punch bowls and vintage cocktails.
As the peloton passes along the Embankment, there are treats galore – from cocktails on the sun deck of RS
Hispaniola to swanning it in the Savoy hotel’s world-famous American Bar.
Cellarium Café & Terrace, Westminster Abbey, London
Originally used by Benedictine monks as a food and drink store, Westminster Abbey’s ancient cellarium has been revitalised as a buzzy refectory-style eatery. The all-day menu cruises through
breakfast, cakes, filling lunches, salads and nostalgic puds, with plenty of British beers and assorted wines to wash it all down. Head up to the terrace if it’s fine.
Inn the Park, St James’s Park, London
Beguiling vistas, trickling fountains, pretty flowerbeds and an outdoor bar offering signature cocktails with a seasonal twang, Inn the Park has the lot. It also dishes up splendid Brit-accented
dishes, salads, riffs on knickerbocker glory, afternoon teas and more besides. Pre-packed sarnies and takeaway snacks are available from the cafeteria.
Perrier-Jouët Lounge at Duke’s Hotel, St James’s, London
And finally, toast the ‘wearer’ of the coveted yellow jersey with a glass of vintage bubbly (Perrier-Jouët Grand Brut, of course) at this luxuriously decorated Champagne lounge within the exclusive
Duke’s Hotel. There are some fabulously sexy Champagne cocktails too, and trendy little canapés if you get peckish.
Also see our guides of where to eat for the other Tour de France stages:
Stage
1: Leeds to Harrogate
Stage 2: York to Sheffield
By David Mabey. Published 1 July 2014.