Anybody remember the Frying Pan on the A303 at Sparkford. It closed down not long after I first started long distance, use to sit in a corner listening to all the “Old timers” There was a painting on the wall above the counter of the route from Lands End to London (if the memory still serves ) Now there is a ■■■■■■■ Death and a Shell station on the site.
There was also the Black Horse Cafe on the A30 just outside Exeter at Clyst Honiton. Used to deliver fruit and veg there on a TK Bedford 71/2 tonner, free breakfast was one of the perks of the job Sat in there one day overheard two petrol tanker drivers moaning about money, they were paying more in tax the I was earning Knew I was in the wrong job then
That brings back some memories.I used to stop overnight at both the Black Horse and the Frying Pan. The Black Horse was ok but the Frying Pan was a bit of a sty.We used to sleep in the house next door. And so did the staff.Bit of a free for all.Still it was a place to put your head down.
Who remembers the Danaway on the A249 near Sittingbourne just off the M2,or the Merrychest nr Dartford,both of which were popular with firms such as EH Nicholls, Hammonds, and Swains back in the 70s & 80s.
aidey:
Well you might like to know kieth that doggetts is open again not sure what they call it now but it has all been refurbished new showers the lot and is quite impressive. I just hope it gets the use oterwise it to will be gone.
I hope they’ve filled in the craters in the truck park!
I was flicking through some old Truck mags last weekend and remembered they had a regular section at the back every month reviewing cafe’s.
That was handy for someone like me who was new at the game.
If I have time this weekend (or if er’indoors lets me) I’ll go through some of them and see if you lot can recall them.
Well,the more mature amongst you anyway
Anyone remember Bob’s at Watford? used to be just off of J6 of the M1at Bricket wood, used to be quite popular with the Brick lorries from Bedford area way back in the 60’s…Anyone got a picture of it?
The old Stainmore Cafe on top of the 66 has re-opened a month or so ago.
They had been using the old fuel pump shop (done up appropriately) as a temporary cafe while the old building was being done up.
I’ve only been in a few times because of the state the lorry park is in.
We’ve got low 5th wheels, to get our new trailers down to 4.0 metres.
I’ve had my fuel cap destroyed twice in there already.
Who remembers the Coatesgate Cafe on the A74, opposite the quarry, at the bottom of the ski-jump at Beattock?
They knocked it down when they built the M74.
Northbound you parked in the lorry park next to the cafe, they had fuel pumps there too. Southbound you parked in what is now the quarry and ran across both lanes of the A74.
NEJ:
Does anyone remember “The Coleum” cafe on the A19 between Selby and Doncaster.
There were some gorgeous blonde girls who used to serve in there I think it was a family owned business and the waitresses were the daughters of the owners.
Is the Coleum still open?, we used to use it occasionally when I worked at NLT
Simon:
The old Stainmore Cafe on top of the 66 has re-opened a month or so ago.
They had been using the old fuel pump shop (done up appropriately) as a temporary cafe while the old building was being done up.
I’ve only been in a few times because of the state the lorry park is in.
We’ve got low 5th wheels, to get our new trailers down to 4.0 metres.
I’ve had my fuel cap destroyed twice in there already.
Who remembers the Coatesgate Cafe on the A74, opposite the quarry, at the bottom of the ski-jump at Beattock?
They knocked it down when they built the M74.
Northbound you parked in the lorry park next to the cafe, they had fuel pumps there too. Southbound you parked in what is now the quarry and ran across both lanes of the A74.
Yea i remember the coatsgate.I remember being snowed in at carlisle t/stop in the late 70s on the monday morning. The police said it had drifted over 10ft deep on top of beetock and over 400 vehicles were stranded over the w/end .The police had to force the coatsgate to open and when he did he put all his prices up.I never went in the place again after that on principle.
Simon:
The old Stainmore Cafe on top of the 66 has re-opened a month or so ago.
They had been using the old fuel pump shop (done up appropriately) as a temporary cafe while the old building was being done up.
I’ve only been in a few times because of the state the lorry park is in.
We’ve got low 5th wheels, to get our new trailers down to 4.0 metres.
I’ve had my fuel cap destroyed twice in there already.
Who remembers the Coatesgate Cafe on the A74, opposite the quarry, at the bottom of the ski-jump at Beattock?
They knocked it down when they built the M74.
Northbound you parked in the lorry park next to the cafe, they had fuel pumps there too. Southbound you parked in what is now the quarry and ran across both lanes of the A74.
Yea i remember the coatsgate.I remember being snowed in at carlisle t/stop in the late 70s on the monday morning. The police said it had drifted over 10ft deep on top of beetock and over 400 vehicles were stranded over the w/end .The police had to force the coatsgate to open and when he did he put all his prices up.I never went in the place again after that on principle.
There were some good cafes on the A74, Red Moss has been mentioned as was the London Inn, Coatesgate and the one a bit further North near Abington that was behind a BP station. Coming South there was the Whistling Kettle at Kirtlebridge. even the southbound cafe at the back of the BP at Gretna is gone to be replaced by a small chef
Was the Coatesgate the one with the revolving doors?If so it had a bad parking area-like a bloody switchback .
I remember the Coleum cafe as well,can’t remember the girls though,mind you it was in the 70’s.
Now you mention it, the Coatesgate did have a revolving door . The parking was rough too.
The Red Moss was closed for a while (North from Abingdon). I believe it’s re-opened, again, but could be wrong.
The London Road Inn, at KP closed not long ago (Kirkpatrick Fleming).
I don’t remember the Whistling Kettle I’m afraid, but I’ve only been in haulage 15 years.
The one at Gretna, replaced by a Little Chef, was The Moss, just north of Carlisle on the Southbound side. It was right beside a BP. The BP’s still there, as is the Little Chef.
Funnily enough, a new one has recently opened not far from KP.
Do you remember the place at Ecclefechan where Westermans drawbars used to be parked up? Theres a proper bit of parking there now and that rough old shed has been replaced with some modern units. There is a porta-cabin cafe there and decent washing / toilet / shower facilities. They are planning to build a proper cafe.
There is another new one a little bit further north still. I understand that the people who had the cafe in the middle of Lockerbie have moved to just south of JB (Johnston Bridge) on the old A74. Theres a nice new cafe there with a decent parking area and all the usual facilities. They are finishing off a large bar area in there now.
here’s a few for you all, although a couple may be too small for many to know about?
Langdons Truckstop, Taunton, just off M5 used to love going there until they decided to close it!
The Terra Cotta, Weymouth, Dorset,next to the football ground which is now a supermarket, very popular with trucks.
and an odd one, 47km north of Madrid, heading for Burgos, the aptly named! 47km bar. Next to a scrapyard, sited back off the road with parking in front. Stopped here all the time when i did Spain, got to know the owners and staff very well. They had an accomodation block built, a bullring and a club house for functions. It was popular with French drivers, particularly on a Tuesday night, never saw another Brit parked here, and no idea if it’s still open.
Longwayround:
There was a real greasy spoon quite close to Brands Hatch.I stopped there more than once,though more to stave off starvation than to enjoy the unremarkable quality of the food.
Thinking about it the food wasn’t bad,certainly better than school slop, it was the worn out fixtures and general filth that was the turn off,and margerine.n’t remember the name,if it had one.
The Oasis ( dir London ) or the Hollys (dir Maidstone )
) Now there is a ■■■■■■■ Death and a Shell station on the site.
Sat in there one day overheard two petrol tanker drivers moaning about money, they were paying more in tax the I was earning 
Knew I was in the wrong job then 
