Northants, Leics &amp; Rutland


<p>The summer holidays are finally over, and the kids are back in school. You’ve survived weeks of non-stop demands, endless snacks, and a million “I’m bored” complaints. Now it’s time to reclaim some “you” time and catch up with your friends over a well-deserved coffee. Here are 10 of our favourite local cafés where you can unwind, reconnect, and enjoy some grown-up company.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-woolfox-stamford"><a href="https://www.woolfox.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Woolfox</a>, Stamford</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1215" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Woolfox.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-50591" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Woolfox.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Woolfox-247x300.jpeg 247w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Woolfox-843x1024.jpeg 843w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Woolfox-768x933.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You don&#8217;t have to be a member at super stylish Woolfox to visit their gorgeous café, so make a beeline for the terrace if it&#8217;s fine, or cosy up inside to make the most of the chic interiors. Bircher bowls, French toast, kale shrooms and smoothies beckon. If you&#8217;re a member you can join a yoga or pilates class while you&#8217;re here, pop to the gym, or have a swim or a game of golf or padel. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-hambleton-bakery-and-cafe-exton"><a href="https://www.hambletonbakery.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Hambleton Bakery and Café</a>, Exton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1024" height="677" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002-1024x677.jpeg" alt="Hambleton Bakery cafe exton" class="wp-image-48827" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002-1024x677.jpeg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002-300x198.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002-768x507.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/07/Hambleton-Bakery-002.jpeg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></figure>



<p>Famed for its artisan breads and perfect pastries,&nbsp;Hambleton has amassed a dedicated following of fans (with bakeries in Stamford, Oakham, Oundle, Market Harborough and Rothley, so there&#8217;s absolutely no excuse to buy bad bread). Make sure you get in early to nab a table and get the good stuff. On the menu, you’ll find sumptuous sourdough, spelt and rye, as well as amazing savouries, cakes and desserts. There&#8217;s loads of seating on the terrace-with-a-view too.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-ten-hands-towcester"><a href="https://www.tenhands.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Ten Hands</a>, Towcester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="980" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Ten-hands.jpeg" alt="Ten Hands cafe Towcester" class="wp-image-50612" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Ten-hands.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Ten-hands-300x294.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Ten-hands-768x753.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This friendly, bustling café is a firm favourite and there&#8217;s plenty of space for cosy groups of mates. You can grab brekkie, brunch and lunch as well as amazing cakes and pastries &#8211; the eggs and pancakes are an absolute joy and I can never resist ordering the shakshuka. If you want a brunch table at the weekend be sure to book. They&#8217;re poised to open a second branch on Sheaf Street in Daventry, so be sure to give it a whirl. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-northern-cobbler-rolleston-lodge-billesden"><a href="https://northerncobbler.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Northern Cobbler</a>, Rolleston Lodge, Billesden</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="729" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Northern-Cobbler.jpeg" alt="Northern Cobbler cafe Billesden" class="wp-image-50580" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Northern-Cobbler.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Northern-Cobbler-300x219.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Northern-Cobbler-768x560.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>The Rolleston Lodge branch of this small but fabulous chain (with other branches in Clarendon Park and Oakham) is all chilled, Scandi chic vibes, artisan coffee roasted in-house and and perfect breakfast, brunch and lunchtime treats. Think sourdough toast, granola, spiced sweetcorn fritters and rice bowls. Whilst you&#8217;re here you can shop for lifestyle goods by stylish, ethical brands and there&#8217;s even a playbarn for the littler kids who haven&#8217;t yet made it to school. I know what you&#8217;re thinking: playbarn, ew, but this one is actually kinda cool and somewhere you will enjoy letting you kids play &#8211; promise.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-fika-oakham"><a href="https://www.fikacafe.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Fika</a>, Oakham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="787" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Fika-cafe.jpeg" alt="Fika Oakham" class="wp-image-50634" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Fika-cafe.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Fika-cafe-300x236.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Fika-cafe-768x604.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Inspired by the Swedish philosophy of enjoying the little things in life, Fika is known for its great coffee, tasty brunch dishes, cinnamon buns and pastries. There are healthy green smoothies for those polishing their halos, plus rosé is on the menu if you&#8217;re feeling the need for something extra. It&#8217;s okay, we understand. There&#8217;s a second branch in Stamford too. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-saints-coffee-northampton"><a href="https://www.saintscoffee.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Saints Coffee</a>, Northampton</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="980" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Saints-Coffee.jpeg" alt="Saints Coffee Northampton" class="wp-image-50623" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Saints-Coffee.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Saints-Coffee-300x294.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Saints-Coffee-768x753.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This fab space at the heart of Northampton is a coffee shop, event space and pop-up cocktail bar where you can fill up on magnificent food  and good vibes. We love their pancake stacks – biscoff and white choc drizzle anyone? Lit lovers can pop along for the fab monthly book club, plus they organise regular group wellness walks. Oh and they&#8217;re the fab team behind Pala restaurant and Lola&#8217;s Bar in town too &#8211; well worth a visit. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-scandimania-uppingham"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/scandimaniacoffeehouse/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Scandimania</a>, Uppingham</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="983" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Scandimania-Uppingham-983x1024.jpeg" alt="" class="wp-image-50638" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Scandimania-Uppingham-983x1024.jpeg 983w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Scandimania-Uppingham-288x300.jpeg 288w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Scandimania-Uppingham-768x800.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/Scandimania-Uppingham.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 983px) 100vw, 983px" /></figure>



<p>Order a<em> kardemummabullar </em>– that’s a Swedish cardamom bun to you and I, or you may prefer a coriander, cashew and chilli pesto toast topped with lime avo smash – whatever you order, you can enjoy it with your bestie as you mooch around the high street before heading to Hog Hill for a little stroll. Scandimania, which has a second branch in lovely Stmaford, is run by Brit/Swedish duo Josh and Julia, who also have the world&#8217;s coolest Land Rover café, known as the Scandi Landy. Life goals. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-public-and-plants-loughborough"><strong><a href="https://www.ourpublic.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Public and Plants</a></strong>, Loughborough</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="828" height="1024" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/image-828x1024.jpeg" alt="Public and Plants Loughborough" class="wp-image-50651" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/image-828x1024.jpeg 828w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/image-243x300.jpeg 243w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/image-768x949.jpeg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/image.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 828px) 100vw, 828px" /></figure>



<p>With branches in Mountsorrel and Nottingham too, this cavernous Loughborough café and bakery is one of our favourites for it&#8217;s super welcoming, chilled vibe and quirky cool, there is plenty of space for groups of friends but it can still feel cosy and intimate. Save me a Nutella croissant, I&#8217;m going in. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-workhouse-brixworth"><a href="https://www.theworkhousebrixworth.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Workhouse</a>, Brixworth</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="649" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/The-Workhouse.jpeg" alt="The Workhouse Brixworth" class="wp-image-50618" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/The-Workhouse.jpeg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/The-Workhouse-300x195.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/The-Workhouse-768x498.jpeg 768w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>This converted Victorian workhouse (hence the name) boasts a sleek, minimalist interior and a fabulous brunch menu, offering everything from super healthy smoothie bowls or smashed avo with salmon and beetroot lattes with spirulina to bacon baps and freshly baked pastries.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-koben-leicester"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/kobenespressobar/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Køben</a>, Leicester</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/koben-leicester.jpg" alt="Kobe leicester" class="wp-image-50645" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/koben-leicester.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/koben-leicester-300x300.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/koben-leicester-150x150.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/koben-leicester-768x768.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/northantsleicsrutland/wp-content/uploads/sites/26/2024/09/koben-leicester-500x500.jpg 500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Set up by brother and sister Jack and Hannah Suffolk who also own city bars, The Bottle Garden and 45 West, Køben serves up amazing coffee, sandwiches and bakes and &#8211; our measure of a place with their ear to the ground &#8211;  a decent matcha. It&#8217;s not huge but definitely has the cool factor and is perfectly located for a pootle around the cultural quarter. </p>



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10 cool cafés to catch up with friends (now the kids are back in school!)

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