Eats

The caravan on the top of a hill serving up belting fry-ups with views to match

Head over on a clear day to enjoy views across Tameside from what feels like the top of the world

Georgina Pellant - 19th April 2023

Over in Mottram, there’s a caravan cafe on top of a hill serving up some absolutely belting Full English fry-ups with stunning views to match.

Called Bee’s Coffee Pot, it has slowly been growing as a favourite amongst locals since 2020 when co-owners Natalie and Toni Bagley decided to convert their old caravan, formerly used to take Toni to horse shows, into a kitchen.

First opened on October 23, 2020, right in the midst of the Covid pandemic, its middle-of-nowhere location on their family farm was perfect for attracting those enjoying the outdoors at a time when it was incredibly difficult to do much inside.

Nearly three years on, its following continues to grow – with foodies travelling from all over to sample their famous loaded fry-ups and breakfast baps.

The cafe is named after Toni, who had been a model in London prior to the pandemic appearing in campaigns for the likes of Burberry and Hugo Boss. Taking her childhood nickname Bee, given to her whilst at nursery, it’s even cuter than we first thought.

The pair decided to open after a long period of furlough, with Natalie keen to throw in the towel and try something new after over 20 years working in pharmaceutical medicine.

At first, it was slow going – taking them seven months to pull in enough money to become VAT registered. But over time, the women created a community of customers – and even found themselves inundated with letters and gifts as those struggling through the pandemic shared appreciation for the peace that a trip to Bee’s gave them.

Bee’s Coffee Pot might’ve only made £1 in its first week but as time has gone on its fanbase has grown massively.

This is the kind of place where the staff are on first-name terms with every customer, and people keep coming back again and again. They have hosted birthday parties, hen parties and anniversaries, and were even named Tameside Takeaway Cafe of the Year in 2022.

A real family affair, Natalie’s oldest daughter Paige bakes the cakes, whilst her other teenage daughters Halle and Laurie also help out where they can. Even eight-year-old son Darby does his bit, collecting the farm’s fresh eggs to be cooked up as part of Bee’s charming fry-ups inside the caravan’s kitchen.

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On the menu, you’ll find breakfast staples including a Full English with local butchers’ meat, eggs, tomatoes, black pudding, beans, toast and mushrooms, alongside classic breakfast baps stuffed with egg, bacon and sausage.

Elsewhere, there’s plenty more to get stuck into ranging from loaded fries topped with chicken, cheese and sriracha mayo, to crispy chicken burgers, daily-changing soups, toasties, hot dogs with crispy onions, and halloumi fries served with a sweet chilli mayo.

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There is also a selection of mouthwatering cakes and cookies on offer – all baked by the family’s eldest daughter.

Think cookies stuffed with ice cream and cream, Lotus Biscoff, mini eggs, Kinder Bueno, Maltesers, double chocolate and more, plus extra sweet treats like brookies and triple chocolate brownies, carrot cake and Bavarian slices.

A wonderful way to wile away a Saturday morning, head over on a clear day to enjoy views across Tameside from what feels like the top of the world.

Featured image – The Manc Eats