WHAT
Café
WHERE
M1, Junction 18; 4 minutes
WHEN
Mon-Thurs 8am-4pm, Fri 8am-8.30pm,
Sat 9.30am-8.30pm, Sun 9.30am-4pm
Kid friendly
Disabled access
Free WiFi for visitors
Vegetarian or vegan options
Gluten-free options
Organic
Parking available onsite
Electric car charging
Recycling/sustainability practices
You'd be forgiven for thinking that a café in a new-build community just off the M1 might be dull but The Tuning Fork, with its Suffolk-styled, black-barn exterior and excellent menu, is about to surprise you.
This modern outfit is run by mother and son duo, Elaine and James. It has huge windows, an industrial-chic feel and a sourcing policy that insists on high-welfare local producers. This means foraged mushrooms, sustainable seafood, and sourdough loaves from Revel Bakery. Any food waste is turned into energy by ReFood and sold back to the National Grid.
Cakes and pastries are baked in the kitchen and come with rich coffee. Breakfast might be chia pancakes or eggs on herby avocado with nutty Egyptian dukkah spice seasoning; lunchtime is for burgers, burritos, tarts and salads. A staff member said, "The huge emphasis on freshness here has changed my whole outlook." Job done. Parking is plentiful and there's a Co-op next door for any forgotten essentials.
The Tuning Fork,
Dollman Farm, Dollman Road, Houlton Way,
Rugby,
CV23 1AL
Tel - 01788 824185
Email - Send email to The Tuning Fork
Web - thetuningforkhoulton.co.uk
Buy The Extra Mile Guide
The Extra Mile: Delicious Alternatives to Motorway Services is your essential glovebox guide to good food on the move. The guidebook is a great gift for motorists and foodies who prefer to avoid motorway services and boring, big-brand food. Find independent cafes, pubs, local coffee and tea shops and lovely farm shops near motorway junctions and main roads. To improve your journey, support small businesses and discover real local flavours, order your copy today (edition 4 published March 2023 and available now).
