11th May 2025 - Ride to the Parlour Cafe at Binham - Ian Cain

A lovely morning and forecast for a hot day. 8 riders turned out for a ride to Binham including one full IAM member fairly new to this area checking us out.

Elke had produced a fabulous route across the heights of West Norfolk for us, all on quiet roads and passing two stately homes. Early in the ride we rode down the main approach to Houghton Hall for a good view of the front of the house, and later on we skirted the grounds of Holkham Hall. We do OK for stately homes in West Norfolk. This time of year the trees are at their greenest so we had a bit of shade as we rode along.

We skirted the coast at Wells and then climbed to Binham for our well earned refreshments. The Parlour cafe is next door to Binham Priory, and we sat in a lovely courtyard with the bells of the priory ringing out. The Parlour Cafe is well worth a visit. Good coffee and lovely food. As a nice touch a waitress cleared our table when we'd finished and then brought out jugs of iced water and glasses for us. How thoughtful.

We rode back on much the same route with people breaking off at various points for their run home. Thanks to all for the company and to Steve Silcox for leading a group. Our visitor John Clarke was so impressed he's now joining the Group. Was it the company or the cakes?

Ian Cain