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I always find it a bit of a challenge when taking three children out for something to eat; packing the bag with activities, toys and of course the break-glass-for-emergency iPad! But recently we went to the third addition to the Rosey Lea’s chain based at North Weald airfield, The Squadron, and what a fantastic experience!
Rosey Lea is an independent café and tearoom with four branches in and around Bishop’s Stortford. The Market Square and Wickham Hall venues are already firm favourites with the locals and more recently over the past two years, they have branched out with locations at the airfield and the Henry Moore Studios.
Our four-year-old, like most, is obsessed with cars, trucks, trains and planes, so when we heard about a café right on an airfield where you can watch the planes take off and land, it was on our list to visit!
We had a little trouble finding The Squadron at first, as the sat nav took us to a business park next door, and then once we realised we needed to enter via the North Weald market entrance, it was a bit confusing to work out where to go, but we made it!
(if you plan to visit, when you enter turn left and drive down, across all the airplane hangers and follow the road right to the end. The Rosey Lea Facebook page has information on driving instructions when going across the aerodrome.)
The tearoom, which has been converted from an old hanger, has been beautifully restored, with large windows where you can see across the airfield. There are two main rooms to sit in and a private room at the back. The space has been lovingly decorated with historic memorabilia and the children loved looking at all the pictures on the walls. But the main attraction was watching the planes take off and land! My little boy had his nose to the window, transfixed every time a plane came near, and we were lucky as we saw quite a few as it was a lovely clear day. There is outdoor seating as well to get even closer to the action, as you watch the planes sail by!
The food does not disappoint either! If you have ever been to a Rosey Lea’s, you can expect the same quality of food. Although no children’s menu, there is a little rascals picky bits which include a sandwich, and also plenty on the menu to keep my three happy! Two shared a huge fish and chips and my littlest one had scrambled egg on toast followed by ice cream – so very full tummies!
The staff were lovely and friendly and we felt very welcome to take our time.
We had a fab time at the airfield, and it completely amazed the children how close we were to the action, which kept them entertained for long enough for us all to eat – which is a winner in my book!
Useful info
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 10am – 4pm
Saturday: 9am – 5pm
Sunday: 9am – 4pm
Dogs welcome both inside and outside.
Available for private hire in evenings in the tearoom section or daytime and evening hire in the dispersal hut.
Please view driving map before visiting
Groups 8+ please call ahead to inform the branch you are visiting
No bookings on Mother’s/Father’s Day or North Weald flying days
£30 per person Speciality Afternoon Tea, two hour sitting (email us to enquire)
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Visited on the 9th March 2024
