TOUR DE FRANCE 2014
Stage 2 York to Sheffield, Sunday 6 July
Yorkshire 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 2 begins on Sunday 6 July, when the whole shebang assembles on York Racecourse before setting off and navigating its way through the city’s matrix of historic lanes. After that, the
peloton travels west through Knaresborough, pays a return visit to Harrogate, heads through the Dales to tourist hotspots such as Hebden Bridge, and finishes with a dash to Sheffield’s Motorpoint
Arena, close to the Meadowhall shopping centre (handy for family-friendly chains such as Giraffe, Las Iguanas and Zizzi). For full details of the route, visit www.letour.yorkshire.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 on road closures in the area.
The Star Inn the City, York
A cracking eatery housed in what was the old Engine House within York’s Museum Gardens. The menu runs from breakfast to late, with a zesty line-up of gussied-up rustic dishes based on seasonal
Yorkshire produce. Owned by chef Andrew Pern from the much-loved Star Inn at Harome, it brings ‘a little bit
of the country to the town’.
York’s ancient city centre is packed
with eateries of all sorts: try the enterprising Perky Peacock if coffee, cake and snacks are required,
take lunch in the aptly named Blue Bicycle (once a brothel), and don’t miss afternoon tea at legendary
Betty’s (pictured right) – either on Stonegate or St Helen’s Square.
Carriages, Knaresborough
A wonky Grade II-listed building sitting above a railway tunnel, Carriages does duty as a wine bar, tapas joint and easy-going bistro. Nibble on char-grilled squid with black rice and bagna cauda
at the bar, chomp on a steak or try a trio of lamb with beetroot fondant and blackberry juice in the adjoining dining room.
For tea, sightseeing and messing about in boats, visit the Marigold Riverside Café in the shadow
of Knaresborough’s mighty railway viaduct.
Devonshire Arms Brasserie, Bolton Abbey
A casual alternative to the high-ranking Burlington
Restaurant, the brasserie and bar attached to the Devonshire Arms Hotel is vibrant mix of bold contemporary art, modern furnishings and cool background music. Come here for appealing modern
dishes with plenty of oomph. The hotel and 3,000-acre estate will be in top gear for the Tour, with ‘book, park and dine’ offers available.
Stirrup Eating House, Haworth
The Brontë sisters’ home town is stuffed full of eating places, but we like this little restaurant run by two chefs up from London – even though its opening hours are limited. Breakfast is a good
shout, and cream teas are served throughout the day, while lunch brings interesting specials alongside omelettes, rösti, falafel burgers and beer-battered haddock.
For something completely different, head ‘down under’ to Maori-monikered Wharenui.
Mooch, Hebden Bridge
A funky standout in groovy, hippie Hebden Bridge, Mooch does its café-style thing to a soundtrack of equally funky tunes. Chill-out vibes are the order of the day, while the menu roams from
Mediterranean deli platters and vegan breakfasts to ginger pudding and carrot cake. Eclectic booze and trendy smoothies too.
Bright and breezy Lovegrows is also a top local spot for tea, snacks and a bit of shopping.
Le Metropolitan, Halifax
Housed in the renovated Georgian splendour of Somerset House in Halifax, Le Metropolitan combines an all-day bar, café and brasserie with an attractive courtyard and Grand Salon. Expect a line-up
of international favourites ranging from Caesar salad to Thai chicken with soy noodles, via burgers, pasta and pub staples.
If you fancy getting away from it all, head out to the highly regarded Shibden Mill Inn.
Hinchliffe Arms, Cragg Vale
Revitalised by a local couple, this country inn attracts all sorts – from dog-walkers and horse-riders to hikers and cyclists. All are here for the owner’s excellent real ales, plus well-chosen
wines, standard pub grub and impressively ambitious modern food from a bright young chef. Tour-day attractions will include a BBQ, real ale bar, kids’ area and live music.
Eric’s Restaurant, Huddersfield
Wedged into a row of terraced shops in leafy Lindley, Eric Paxman’s go-getting restaurant promises moorland views from the first-floor dining room and an eclectic menu bursting with warmth and
colour. French-themed brunch and takeaway picnics will be available during the Tour weekend, and Eric’s is also opening on the following Monday.
Holmfirth Vineyard Restaurant, Holmfirth
One of the UK’s more northerly vineyards, Holmfirth has been in production since 2009, and visitors can now take tours, enjoy tastings and sip recent vintages in its open-plan restaurant. Modern
British dishes, local ales and seasonal afternoon teas complete the picture. A wine and beer festival will run throughout the Tour weekend.
Also try The Spiced Pear Hepworth for inventive Brit-accented food, cocktails and vintage
1940s-style afternoon tea.
Bank View
Café, Langsett (pictured, right)
Painted polka-dot red to mimic the colours of the Tour de France ‘King of the Mountains’ jersey, Pete and Helen Sparks’ roadside café is aiming to get noticed – although it’s already renowned as a
pit stop for local cyclists, walkers and mountain bikers. Come here for legendary all-day breakfasts, filling Yorkshire lunches, homemade puds and cream teas.
Wig & Pen at The Milestone, Sheffield
Head into the centre of Sheffield if you fancy the prospect of some gutsy new-breed British cooking, trendy street-food riffs and excellent drinking. Part bar, part restaurant, The Wig & Pen
has a terrific feel-good vibe – not surprising since it’s run by the people from the big-hitting Milestone on
Green Lane.
If you hanker after some perky Japanese food without ceremony or a heavy price tag try nearby Sakushi. And if you yearn
for something Italian, head out to Nonnas – the owners also run a cycling emporium on Hickmott Road.
Also see our guides of where to eat for the other Tour de France stages:
Stage 1: Leeds to
Harrogate
Stage 3: Cambridge to London
By David Mabey. Published 1 July 2014.