11 funky venues for summer one-to-ones around Leicestershire
You’ve attended some networking events, made some great connections, and now it’s time to really get to know those people. It’s time for you to book in a one-to-one.
Some of your connections will have fancy meeting rooms. Some will prefer the familiarity of a Costa or a Starbucks. But if you – like me – like to go to venues that have a few more quirks, this is the list for you.
These are all places that I personally enjoy meeting, and most have both indoor and outdoor seats, meaning you can enjoy the sun or avoid the rain, depending on what’s happening with the wonderful British weather.
One last thing – do check the relevant websites and/or Google listings for opening hours, as some are not open every day of the week.
Wistow Café Bistro
The venue for the second Countryside Connect meeting is where we start this list. An independent venue set in the gorgeous leafy surroundings of Wistow. Fantastic coffee and cake (that’s pretty much a prerequisite for being on this list) and a wonderful food menu make this a great option at any time of year. Why not have a wander around the other wonderful shops at the Wistow Rural Centre while you’re there too?
Address: Wistow Rural Centre, Kibworth Road, Leicester LE8 0QF
Website: https://wistowcafebistro.co.uk/
Outdoor seating: Yes
Café Ventoux, Tugby
Loved by cyclists and just a stone’s throw from the A47, Café Ventoux has gained a reputation as a must-visit café on the west side of the county. As well as the usual offering of coffee, cake and a full food menu, the café also hosts regular events.
With unique décor and plenty of space for cars, motorbikes, and cycles, this is a fantastic location for a one-to-one away from the city.
Address: Tugby Orchards, Wood Lane, Tugby LE7 9WE
Website: https://www.cafe-ventoux.cc/
Outdoor seating: Yes
Everards Brewery & Beer Hall, Enderby
Located opposite Fosse Park, with Everards Meadow running alongside, the beer hall is a gorgeous location for either a lunchtime tipple or a tasty coffee.
Whisper this quietly: Jenno’s Coffee House gets all the love and it’s often impossible to get a seat. The beer hall is on the same site – even sharing the same car park – and in my experience is usually much quieter during the day.
Address: Cooper Way, Leicester LE19 2AN
Website: https://www.everardsmeadows.co.uk/
Outdoor seating: Yes
Bawdon Lodge Farm Coffee & Gift Shop, Nanpantan
Time to head to the north side of the county. Bawdon Lodge Farm is a family-run farm that has recently expanded its operations to include a coffee and gift shop – another Countryside Connect meeting location.
The café and gift shop trade as one, and I recently bought the most AMAZING salted caramel vegan chocolate there. The team are friendly and there’s lots of space in the café, as well as some wonderful locally-sourced gifts for sale. They also run seasonal events and workshops.
Address: Nanpantan Road, Nanpantan, Loughborough LE12 9YE
Website: https://www.bawdonlodgefarm.co.uk/
Outdoor seating: Yes
Attfield’s Farm Shop, Whetstone
Tucked away just off the A426 outside Blaby, this place is a real Tardis. I drove by this so many times before finally stopping to take a peek inside, and I wish had done much sooner!
As well as an abundance of locally-reared produce, the site boasts a giant café serving a fantastic menu of teas, coffees, cakes and meals.
Website: https://www.attfields-farm-shop.co.uk/
Address: Whetstone Lodge, Countesthorpe Rd, Leicester LE8 6LD
Outdoor seating: No
The Gate Hangs Well, Syston
A rarity on this page as this is the standalone only pub I’ve listed, I first discovered The Gate Hangs Well at a Kuku Connect networking event. Set against the Leicestershire countryside, this hidden gem boasts a HUGE garden and a couple of smaller areas that can be booked for events.
Over the summer they also run a food festival on the last Saturday of the month.
Website: https://www.thegatesyston.co.uk/
Address: 250 Fosse Way, Syston, Leicestershire LE7 1NH
Outdoor seating: Yes
Stoughton Grange, Oadby
Stoughton Grange is on the same site as the farm park, which hosted the first ever Countryside Connect.
They have a range of options for your one-to-one including a coffee shop, pub, and the farm park’s own café, which sells local produce, much of which was reared on the farm itself.
Address: Gartree Road, Leicester LE2 2FB
Website: https://stoughtongrange.co.uk/
Outdoor seating: Yes
Liberteas Coffee Shop, Newbold Verdon
This wonderfully quaint café in the unassuming surrounds of Newbold Verdon has to be one of my favourite finds. The staff are friendly and the food is fantastic too.
With a quirky interior and an outdoor seating area, this is the perfect location for a one-to-one at any time of year.
Check out the full 360 degree tour here!
Address: 62 Main Street, Newbold Verdon LE9 9NP
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050442861668
Outdoor seating: Yes
Cherry Lane Garden Centre, Countesthorpe
I’ve tried to avoid putting any larger chains in this list, but if I’m honest there are a couple of locations that I’m a huge fan of and it would be disingenuous of me not to include them.
The Cherry Lane Garden Centre in Countesthorpe is one of my favourite places to go. The café is old school-style, but their coffee is nice enough and some of their cakes are fantastic. Service can be a little slow from time to time, but with decent-sized indoor and outdoor seating areas, it can be a nice little break from the norm. I particularly like going there in the colder months, when you can hear the rain thudding down on the rustic/plastic cover of the café.
Address: 18 Foston Rd, Countesthorpe, Leicester LE8 5QP
Website: https://www.cherry-lane.co.uk/
Outdoor seating: Yes
200 Degrees, Leicester
This 90-seater coffee shop in the heart of Leicester is a good location if you’re looking for somewhere central. Friendly staff, great coffee and great food are the order of the day here.
A former jewellers, the café maintains many of the original art deco features of the building. They also open until 7.30pm on weeknights, which is handy if you need a slightly later meeting than normal.
Costa Coffee, Meridian East
I know what you’re thinking – that this is a bit of a disappointment for the final selection on this list. And yes, ordinarily I wouldn’t want to put a multinational on a list like this.
But the harsh truth is that this is my go-to for one-to-ones because – well – it’s just so damn convenient.
I am reluctant to bring attention to it, because it’s normally not that busy and so it’s a great place to work from too. There is free parking, easy access from J21 of the M1, it’s well air-conditioned, and they even have a few outsides seats.
One word of warning though – the Wi-Fi has never worked in the 2.5 years I’ve been going there, so I usually tether to my phone.
Address: Meridian Business Park, Meridian E, Leicester LE19 1WZ
Website: https://www.costa.co.uk/
Outdoor seating: Yes, but limited
