David Mamet even wrote a - very good - book of essays with almost that title - (his is Writing in Restaurants, but restaurants in the UK are not, on the whole, places you write in. ) It`s something a lot of us do. I do it so often- almost every day - that I toyed with the idea of doing a book called A Guide to Writing in Cafes. While I was in one this morning, I listed my favourites with a Marks out of Ten system for various aspects.
It is a very personal thing, of course, this writing in cafes. Some people express horror that I could even think of it but it is more note-making and outline planning, less writing whole chapters - though ocasionally I do. I don`t need the 'same desk, chair, pen, view, talisman of a stone brought back from Kurdistan for a paperweight' stuff that many do. I have no attachments, I can write anywhere. I used to write on trains but do it less now, because even in the Quiet Carriage you get the disembodied voice telling you the next station stop and to make sure you have all your personal belongings...not to mention the buffet car attendant trying to flog his teascoffeesssanassortmentofsandwichesnandsnackshotbacon rollsthebuffetcarissituatedtowardstherearofthetrain...
Cafes are better. Here are my top ones, in no particular order. Other writers heading this way may find the info and ratings useful.
Timothy`s Tea Rooms. In The Fosseway Garden Centre on the A429 just outside Moreton-in-Marsh. 8/10
PLUSES Very large. Comfortable tables and chairs. Tables spaced well apart. Quite a few BIG tables. Also a corner with two sofas.
STAFF. Absolutely lovely.
COFFEE. First rate. Best double-shot latte for miles. Home -baked cakes to die for.
DOWNSIDE. No daylight.. it is at the back of the huge hanger which is the part of the garden centre that sells everything that has nothing to do with gardens.
WORST TIME TO GO. Weekend mornings when they are descended on by large parties of cyclists in lycra who form a very very long queue and are incredibly cheerfully NOISY.
BIG PLUS. They open at 9.
Plenty of other cafes in Moreton in Marsh.I have tried them all. They are either too noisy, have rotten coffee, rude staff or are too dainty. I don`t want a tiny china cup and a doily, I want a good large cup or mug. Rickety tables, tiny tables, white tablecloths are also a no-no.
Avoid the town on a Tuesday - very busy market, hard to park, everywhere heaving. W in C = impossible.
DAYLESFORD ORGANICS, DAYLESFORD. 9/10 Easy from Moreton, Stow, Chipping Norton but still hard to find!
Rated 150% for coffee.. the absolute best.Every sort of coffee, plus about 10 different kinds of milk. Cafetiere of coffee is probably the best in the universe.
Downstairs not too good for Writing - small, very in-the-shop, tables close together. A bit dark too. Upstairs - occasionally not open - much better, firm tables, good chairs, nice and light.
DOWNSIDES. Temptation to people-watch. Women with braying voices. Children called Ptolemey and India abound.
STAFF. Absolutely lovely, always charming and efficient especially Benjy and Victor.
TO EAT. Toast, with superb jam. Boiled eggs and soldiers - not just for Ptolemy and India (but tendency to spread over one`s work.)
BONUS.. Lots of outside tables in summer.
BANTAM TEAROOMS, HIGH STREET, CHIPPING CAMPDEN. 8/10
Can get crowded. I tend to bump into too many acquaintances so don`t get down to WIC. Tables can be rickety. Super log fire in winter. Outside tables in summer but no good for WIC, as wrought- iron -with- holes -in and too near the loos.
COFFEE. Best filter coffee for miles. Jug of hot milk brought, and you can have mug or cup. Cappuccino less good.
Best toasted teacakes for miles.
STAFF. Always efficient and friendly but sometimes student help is inexperienced and flustered.
Tables can be rickety, some too close for WIC.
DON`T GO. Weekends. Suffers from Cotswolds Tea Room overcrowding plus lycra-cyclers on sat/sunday morning. See above.
They don`t open till ten.
All recommendations/comments/disagreements welcome. More next time... watch for Best Cafes for WIC in Chipping Norton, Stow on the Wold and Shipston-on-Stour.. plus an as-yet untried NEW cafe in Blockley. I will report.
