Stenson Lock Coffee Shop in South Derbyshire

Very friendly, helpful staff. Had a lovely breakfast here before carrying on with my dog walk along the canal. Situated right by the lock and dog friendly.

I was disapointed they had no alternate milk on offer for coffee or tea and they said they wouldn't get it in due to shelf life (it can be bought in small long life sachet/cartons individually so no excuse). A tad over priced for basic meals and sandwiches. Nice setting and my children loved watching the canal boats go through the lock. Also nice to find a dog friendly cafe as so few are so this is a huge plus point. Menu could do with being dragged into this century and a realisation many people can't eat dairy. Also, there was nothing gluten free (agin, pre packed bought in cakes with a long shelf life would give at least one option for a family member of mine).

Excellent location Afternoon Tea was wonderful plenty for two, lovely homemade cakes that melted in your mouth. More than enough for two. I cannot fault anything about this experience. Family business the owners couldn’t do enough to accommodate us nothing was too much trouble. Excellent customer service. Will be returning and recommending to family and friends for sure. Thank you so much to the husband and Wife team.

We walked here from Barrow on a nice Autumn day, we had pop and cake and sat in the tent and it was very pleasant in the sun. Lovely home made cakes too.

This place could be truly amazing given its size and location but it was a real let down. The place was freezing and dated. The menu was an average to poor offering with no dietary information, nor did they offer any gluten free produce. In fact, they didn't seem to have any idea what foods were gluten free or not. Staff need better dietary training and the management team need to get with the times in terms of offering a more varied menu that caters for customers needs. I really think this place could be an amazing tearoom cafe with the help of a revamp and menu shake up. The daily cakes could also do with improving. Everything just looked dated and not very appealing. The place obviously attracts people because of its location but I certainly won't be returning. If the management team want to improve I really hope they take this feedback on board.

I sent my son to buy 2 ham salad cobs and gave him £5 thinking this would be more than enough. however I was horrified to find out he had been charged £14.20 and because he only £5,he paid on his card. I called up and we asked the lady who answered the phone how much an ham salad cob was she had to ask someone else how much and they said in the back ground just say £7 each.Will never be using this cafe again.How a cafe can charge £7 pound for a Ham cob is daylight robbery.

I was disappointed to not be able to go to my niece’s baby shower but not as disappointed as I was with what came home! I’d asked if I could have my afternoon tea brought back and I paid £20 for it the same as everyone else but feel I have been grossly overcharged…... Four sandwiches, a scone with jam (no clotted cream or even some butter) a pre-packed Bakewell tart and one strawberry. I didn’t even get a teabag!! The photos of the party showed their afternoon teas with macaroons, mini eclairs, mini custard slices and some sort of chocolate ball! I got NONE of these. I have added a photo, I wouldn’t pay £10 for that let alone £20….What a rip off.

Just a very unimpressive experience. Coffee was weak and tasteless, bacon was undercooked and left me feeling a bit sick all afternoon. Service was poor too, with only 3 tables in use, it would be easy to bring food to the customer, rather than fetching it from the hatch when your buzzer goes. The floured bap was fresh and tasty though, and the staff were friendly, just not trained on basic bacon/coffee skills.

Called in initially for a drink as we had our own sandwiches. The raspberry and white chocolate ganache cake looked too good to ignore and it was delicious. Nice location by the canal with indoor, outdoor and covered seating. Limited range of food but what they have is reasonably priced, and obviously popular with walkers as it was busy. Limited parking as the other areas seem restricted.

We often call in when passing on our walks. We personally find the atmosphere to be welcoming and friendly. The menu is quite extensive for the size of the cafe. They also offer lovely cakes and desserts. Prices are reasonable and we have always found the food to be good quality. Their toasties are gorgeous. The premises are always clean and tidy. This cafe has a great view of Stenson Lock and is great place for relaxing and watching the canal boats with good food.

Nice location it is overlooking the canal and a couple of locks. Food is well prepared service is good prices reasonable.

I called in for morning coffee with a friend. We were served promptly, after a friendly welcome. It was quite busy just after 10am., but half the veranda blinds were open and it was lovely to watch the boats.

Recently been twice since its re opening. Place has been spruced up when compared to pre lockdown. Prices seemed higher however that seems to be norm at places in general where we have eaten since latest re-openings after lockdown. Enjoyable bacon butty's with tea on our first visit but on latest visit, tried the egg and chips. Now to get 4 fried eggs and not one of them 'runny'. takes some doing in my view, hence the average score. This being said, would not stop us returning as its a nice cafe in a nice place.

Had a lovely cup of coffee and a toasted tea cake.Sat outside with a view of the lock.A lovely spot.Yes, the staff didn't give us the warmest of welcome but neither were they rude.Quick and efficient service with no fancy frills.

I saw the owner (male) shout at a child and made them cry when they were trying to put rubbish in the bin. Woman them threw family out, after purchasing food (as mother asked they not shout at her child who was clearly upset). We were served our food with no face masks or covid precautions. Inside everyone was maskless. Breaking rules as not aloud inside yet or to be maskless inside. Overheard them complaining they have rat infestation. AVOID.

We dropped in here for a cuppa on our walk last week and our grandson joined us. It’s much better now as everything’s disposable. The last time we came the cleanliness of cups and utensils was very suspect. We felt the owners had stepped up but you can now only sit outside...and no use of the toilet!! I thought all cafes had to allow use of a toilet? It is a deal breaker for us. Finally..oh dear the welcome is still very chilly! We won’t be returning I’m afraid..a great pity as the setting is absolutely perfect.

I called in @ 8:30 am to get a couple of coffees to take away. The sign outside says "Open" so I tried the outside door, went through and saw a "Tea and Coffee" sign on the inside door. I went through this to be met by a very rude man who told me to get out because they don't open until 9.From what I saw inside, I will not be returning. Why publish a sign outside saying "open" when you are not?

Difficult to park on Thursday lunchtime. Usual, VERY slow service, but terrific bacon cob and good coffee. Lovely location and spotlessly clean. The owner came and had a conversation (and a smile) with us today. Perhaps people do us an injustice?

Had a super bacon butty and delicious carrot cake. It was served quickly by a friendly lady. Plenty of room to sit outside. Will definitely revisit as soon as possible.

Went with my family for lunch, the food was ok but the 2 owners/staff members were extremely rude, not just to us but also to another customer whose order they got wrong, instead of apologising they just made a rude and sarcastic comment. Only good thing about the place is the view. Awful customer service!

I called here today [part way through a cycle ride and the Shop was just opening so only I was there. I can see why the lady gets described as she does in other reviews but credit where credit is due, she was fine with me and I nearly got a smile.The coffee was hot and the bacon sandwich freshly cooked.Not the greatest cafe that I've visited but it is what it is

Went for a walk along the canal and stopped at Stenson Lock Coffee shop for drinks and a snack, Mrs Grumpy served us her usual charm, sat nearby the service hatch to watch others get the same treatment and also watch the barges pass through the lock, entertainment indeed.

Used to love this place, went yesterday served by the rudest woman ever. Asked for decaf, what a joke. No explanation or apology for not having it, bought 2 drinks and a scone, I had a banana with me which I ate, took empty cups and the plate from the scone and banana skin to put in the bin, I couldn't find one so Mrs Grumpy took the tray and complained because of the banana skin! She needs to find a job she likes. Would definitely put me off going again

We’ve been wanting to visit this place for quite a while so decided to go for brekkie at the weekend, two different families were queuing in front of us, but the time it took for us to get to the front of the queue, the lock had been open and closed three times!!! My husband ordered his coffee and asked if they had decaf? “what?” , with a shrug of her shoulders was the response ...... as she walked away my husband and I looked at each other wide eyed, then I remembered; I’d read the reviews of her being grumpy and rude ...... she hasn’t changed! Such a shame, this place could be such a lovely place with the right owner, it needs a lot of love, enthusiasm and tlc. They are sitting on a goldmine here, a few hanging baskets to give it some colour, clean tables and chairs, something to give it a bit of ambience and personality, a smile and pleasant staff would go a long way! I know we are all going through a tough time at the moment, but she was grumpy before the pandemic hit and our “normal” had to change.The coffee, apparently, was “ok”, clearly out of a “one button press” machine and not a fancy make on the spot machine. The sausage bap was ok, the bottle of water (from Costco) was as you would expect a bottle of water to be! Thankfully I had wipes in my bag to wipe the table down - it’s probably not been cleaned since the last owners left .....Such a shame, would we return? Yes, as long as we took our own food and drink and sat opposite the cafe to watch the boats ☹️

If you like a good cup of tea (paper cups due to covid - but usually proper cups), & delicious egg & bacon butties, then this is the perfect place.Great view of the canal & boats going through the lock.Yes, the lady who works there does look grumpy, & yes, my husband had a 'silent telling off' from her for not collecting the 'beeper' & cups of tea when he should, but that just adds to the experience!Who wants corporate local cafés??Enjoy.

We visited this place for a lunch snack while passing on our boat. It's a great location right outside Stenson lock. We ordered two chip butties and two coffees. The service is very slow and we were served by Mrs grumpy. The coffees were ok and the chip butties were very tasty. The menu is a bit basic and we feel with a bit more variety this could be a great place to eat by the canal. Overall an average place to go for food and drink.

So many bad reviews on here about the owner. She is part of the attraction! It’s real and for that reason should be supported. If you want your fancy coffees and cakes, don’t visit here. It’s wholesome and quirky. We love it!

I visited at lunchtime. There was a friendly welcome from Marion and the cafe was spotless both inside and on the veranda. A welcome, hot light lunch and a cuppa were quickly served and thoroughly enjoyed.

This place is right on Stenson Lock so its great for watching the boats go by and navigating the lock. However the staff (only the one female member of staff when we visited) needs to learn how to smile and be pleasant.

Very small family business , no fancy fittings or trimmings but a good cup of coffee and great bacon butties! A good stop on a good toe path walk. Papratcy

This place should be shut down. The woman behind the counter has the social skills of a wardrobe and a mug of tea consists of a mug of hot water and a tea bag on a saucer. The cutlery was filthy. I will be reporting this place to the approprate department in the council.

We visited last Monday and the lady owner is the most unwelcoming person to be running this type of business. We had a cappuccino and a tea. I got a mug of hot water initially and it seemed an inconvenience that I asked her for a teabag to go with it. She then over charged me. The place had stock all over the place, the tea spoons were dirty and the cakes from Costco could have been there for days. Lovely spot to watch the canal boats but the experience in the coffee shop definitely needs improving.

A lovely spot to stop for a coffee and breakfast and watch the canal boats in the lock but the pleasantries stop there.....We sat in the veranda which could have done with sweep it was covered in cigarette butts - wasn’t even keen on letting our dog lie under the table.We had met our friends for a walk and it was their usual breakfast stop so we went with the flow.The chairs were a mish mash of the plastic chairs and metal garden seats ( very uncomfortable) so we jiggled the chairs to get something that was the right height for the tables.On entering the lock cottage the smell of a greasy spoon met you and just one large cake was a red velvet cake was on show which I recognised from Costco.An icy welcome from the member of staff taking the order - it was if you were an inconvenience being there.We ordered two bacon and sausage cobs and a tea and cappuccino.It took quite a while to come but then it was freshly cooked. A large floury bap and generous bacon and two sausages.Nice cappuccino but strange to a have a pot of tea where they give you a pot of hot water and a teabag on the tray ?The woman bringing the order out shouts your number with a voice like a navvy and when my husband jokingly replied” over here “ in the same tone she rolled her eyes and muttered she could hear him over in Burton and then slammed the plates on the table and walked off! She must hate her job as her attitude stinks.The food tasted good and it’s such a shame it’s so scruffy and a bit grubby.We noticed after a table was cleared it wasn’t wiped or the chairs put back straight and certainly think smoking should be banned from the veranda.This could be so much better with pleasant staff and a bit of a makeover.We won’t be returning.....

We used to come here quite regularly but hadn’t been for a while and thought we’d pop down for Saturday brunch. There were no vegeburgers and no milkshakes. When we realised they don’t take cards and we hadn’t enough cash we apologised and cancelled the food and had our three (nice) hot chocolates. The excuse for no cards was a lack of internet connection. Funny that as we got internet sitting outside and I can’t believe the neighbouring pub, businesses and houses aren’t connected. There hadn’t seen a notice saying it was cash only which one would expect in this day and age. Like the last reviewer we found the lady miserable and unwelcoming. We won’t be bothering to go back.

Called today on a morning walk with a friend. The lady behind the counter was miserable and curt. The coffee was mediocre and the cutlery dirty, we all have off days but she was damn right rude, it was as though it was an inconvenience we were there. The location is lovely, I’m just sorry I cannot recommend.

Been calling here for years as it is handy and half way through our favourite dog walk. Food always been cheap and cheerful but fresh. Kerry who used to own it chatty and friendly. Think the location keeps this place going but please can the staff smile. No smiles, no manners and when asked if the tray could be carried out as my arm was in a sling was met with a sigh.Called today and the toasted sandwich was lovely. Was nice to watch the barges navigating the lock.Please put smiles on the menu free of charge.

Can’t believe we live a few miles away and not been for 30 years plus. Area has changed a lot. Coffee very good served with Apple Pie and cream sat there watching the lock being used, under cover with sun beating down. Staff friendly and helpful. Will definitely go again.

one of our fav canal walks from the village of willington to Stenson Lock cafe.

It’s the first time this year we’ve been able to return to the Stenson Lock Bubble cafe.

Called here for the first time, just to try it. It was good. We had the small breakfast and sausage, egg and chips. Food freshly cooked, and the small breakfast was just enough for me. Had lattes to drink, which were good and hot, unlike some places I've visited. No problems regarding service, as it wasn't busy, but the lady behind the counter was pleasant.

After finishing a Diving Job in the lock out side of Cafe we stopped for Breakfast... Very friendly service and Fandabidosie- Scrumptious Bacon/ Egg/ Tomato batch !! Highly recommended... Extremly picturesque location with busy moorings nearby....

Called in as exploring area. There were people in the building & on veranda. When we walked onto the veranda we were met with, 'we're closed! The website says 4:30 ( it was just before 2), the signage was all out advertising 'open all year' etc.., the gate was open and you could smell food being cooked.

I really like this place - it's right next to the canal and near a pub. Small but cosy, some seating in the outer convered area so you can enjoy some sun in shelter.

Used to love this cafe but after visiting in June and the new owner was very stressed, even though it wasn't that busy, put me off.. But gave it another go today thinking it would be open at 2pm only to find it now closes at 2...dont think I will be going back there which is a shame as its a lovely setting....

I called in last week, after my holidays, for a late lunch snack, just before the kitchen closed. Marion was friendly and welcoming as always and her cheerful cook soon brought out a plate of chips for me.

We love it here all the food is very tasty.We love the lady who serves and have no complaints. Try the Breakfast it the best u can get anywhere. We always take my sister who can’t walk far she loves this spot near the canal watching the canal boats .

stopped at cafe today it must have new owners who are as miserable as sin. we stopped on our bikes on a regular basis but i think in future we ll give it a miss. service is very slow and begrdgingly done.cheap costco cakes no home made,so we didnt even stay just bought a lolly and went to mercia marina instead. this cafe is in a geat location but in need of some new staff. if it wasnt in the location its in it would be shut by now. shame its gone to pot as it used to be a favourite stop off.

Called in for a tea and a cake .

We are regular visitors here, but due to circumstances it's been several months since our last visit. I'd heard it had changed hands and was keen to see how it had changed. The mature lady behind the counter was really miserable and off hand, the lady behind said to me "has she ever heard of service with a smile?"

breakfast cob was hot, egg and bacon excellent , but sausages like sawdust. Burger was terrible, tasteless. chips Ok Service, miserable. Come bac the previous owners.

After frequenting this cafe for the past 5 years we were very disappointed this time..we hadn’t managed to visit this year so was really looking forward to it because the breakfasts have always been lovely..and so fresh...well we went to the counter to order breakfast only to find that the lady who had been running it for the past years had left and gone back to nursing..so that was disappointment number one..she was always lovely and nothing was to much trouble but she’d left..we ordered our breakfasts..we were so hungry after the 12 mike bike ride..anyway breakfast arrived..to my disappointment number 2..No mushrooms and no fresh tomato on it just 1 sausage the smallest piece of bacon an over cooked fried egg and beans..the place wasn’t busy at all and I’m not surprised..we ate it because we were hungry but we won’t be going back.. disappointed customer

Asked for a sandwich...to be met with “we are closing “.I vote with my wallet...will NOT be returning...You would do well to do the same...come back the previous lady,Kerry,always polite,always welcoming.

Wandered up from the nearby campsite for breakfast. It’s a lovely location right by the lock. Ordered the large breakfast - very well cooked and we were both defeated - it was indeed large! Calm and peaceful for a Sunday morning start 😊

Spent hundreds £ over the last 6yrs or so. Been twice recently. Great location but very poor, luke warm food & very rude owner. Shame Phil & family not still running it. Not going back.

Coffee shop / cafe with olde world charm with a closeup view of the lock. Limited opening hours of 4 to 5 hours and very popular especially if you’d like a table on the veranda. Very good bacon cobs with sauce in bottles and not fiddly sachets!

Marion is back! On cold days, there is a welcome wood fire burning in one room and a heater in the other. After a friendly greeting, light meals are served, and there is a good choice of cakes, sandwiches etc.

The location is amazing. Love sitting here with a coffee and watch a narrow boat go through the locks. Sometimes it’s a community event where passers by chip in to help. Many dog walkers and hikers too. Friendly service. Breakfast served early.

We called at the coffee shop to-day for lunch. It was cold outside, so went in to eat, but frankly it wasn't much warmer inside!

Fine food and service from Kerry and her team - a regular haunt for me..... ...... excellent breakfast menu and the Bakewell tart is superb!

What a great place to just sit back and watch the boats going along the canal and through the lock, even on a wet day it is relaxing. This is what I would call a proper good old fashioned cafe with a choice of breakfast items washed down with a never ending pot of tea, read the paper and just enjoy.

We have visited here a couple of times in the last month when the weather has been hot. It is lovely to sit out next to the canal and watch the boats go by. Our 3 kids love going here. The food is freshly cooked and a good variety although we have only had breakfast meals or sandwiches. Fresh cakes too.

We are regulars at this coffee/tea eating house right by the Stenson lock gates and the famous Stenson Bubble (has I've known it for 50 yrs or more on the other side of the lock).

I've visited this hidden gem on a few occasions while out walking and chilling with friends. The ladies are very friendly and the atmosphere laid back.

This unprepossessing cafe is a lovely respite from the coffee house culture of big arm chairs and trendy drinks. In our group, we had a cappuccino, hot chocolate and herbal tea. My friend both had a huge Chelsea bun, which were fresh and tasty. We looked out over the lock and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere. It was raining when we visited, which reduced visitor numbers.

Stopped here for breakfast on a canal barge holiday. Food cooked freshly to order and delicious. Sit inside or out and watch the barges go by. Lock keeper very pleasant and informative too.

Stenson is one of he pleasant ways of overlooking the canal waterways whilst having tea or coffee, with a cake of course. Easy parking lovely staff and at a realistic price.

Great place for bite to eat & drink. Excellent menu & speedy service & when weathers good being south facing you get benefit of lovely Sunshine. Definitely recommend Stenson lock for visit & when Josh is serving always get good banter with a great coffee!

Rainy day but did not put us off driving the distance to visit this charming café converted from the old lock keepers cottage. The cafe was very clean and well manage by a very caring lady who I discovered has worked very hard and given the cafe the good reputation. After a walk along the canal in the rain we where not disappointed with the friendly service or the food. Would we go there again ..... Most c

Wow, what a lovely little tea rooms. Just relax with a snack and watch the volunteers help the narrow boats coming in and out of the lock. Customers were a mixture of boat people, families and walkers. Cheap and cheerful and good service. It was idylic and it`s what puts the GREAT into Great Britain.

Walked up from home and had a small breakfast minus the egg bu it was replaced with an extra rasher of bacon I also had a mug of tea order taken by a very polite young man last time it was a polite young lady. The food was very well cooked and piping hot and fairly swiftly delivered to the table for saying I arrived just at the same time as a number of other small groups of people. Managed to get a table on the varanda facing the lock and spent a lovely hour eating drinking tea and watch the barges on the canal.

I used to visit this cafe regularly for what was an excellent breakfast. I went today and couldn't have been more disappointed.

My husband and i have visited this lovely tea rooms for the last 6 years and most days too we have seen people come and go all of which were lovely people a lovely lady named Keri and her children run it now and you could not ask for nicer friendly people ,the food is very good and plentiful and at reasonable prices so pop along to this charming place and enjoy .

Decided to go to this canal cafe as of all the good recomendadtions, ordered two cakes and some drinks. The queue system doesnt work people coming in through both doors and pushing in. Only two staff working clearly unable to handle the ammount of customers. Both of my cakes were stale and dry. Obviously the stock hasnt gone through any form of quality control or rotation. Will not be coming here again!

A friendly relaxing place to go to have a drink, a bite to eat and watch the boats go through the lock

Great for watching the world go by, always fascinated by the locks on the canal. Nice character and delicious cakes

A regular visitor to this lovely setting. I mostly always have a bacon buttie and a mug of tea. Comes well done just how I ilke it. Just order and the food is brought to you. Friendly staff. The setting is great watching the narrow boats coming through the locks.

Been up a few times now on a dog walk as there's many adjoining routes that you can go on. Food is great and the views also, A great place to sit and watch the world and boats go by. You may think it's slightly pricey but when you see the size of the meals you see why

My husband and I often visit this café on a sunny day just to sit and watch the narrowboats go through the lock from the verandah, while enjoying a coffee etc. Both the bacon and the sausage sandwiches are delicious and so is the cake. If you want delicious food and drink in a simple outdoor setting with "no frills" then this is the place for you.

We visited the Stenson Lock Coffee Shop on a sunny afternoon, to find all of the outside tables taken up by people not only enjoying the sights and sounds of people going through the lock, but enjoying good honest fayre from the coffee shop as well.

This is a place I must have driven past 100 times but finally I stopped today. I had a great mug of tea and bacon sausage and egg sandwich - simple but really tasty and a lovely place to sit and watch the boats and the swans.

We have visited many times over the last 7 years a place that we have made special memories but after visiting yesterday for lunch I'm gutted don't get me wrong food was nice but someone has ripped the guts out of the place .being a interior designer after the previous makeover they had papered the tearoom in the most beautiful soft green damask wallpaper suited the place it was classy and relaxing but to my horror on my visit this week I walked in and gasped the place now is awful and very badly done the curtains look like limp pieces of rag with some contraption of a tieback in bright orange very badly covered seat pads in patterned orange I couldn't wait to get out of there how sad you ruined it and I stunk when I left like I'd been in a greasy chippy come on guys put the soul back goodluck

Been here so many times and it never varies They meals to order and serve you with a friendly smile. They make the most wonderful bacon cobs and will cook the bacon just as you like it, mine is well done. They have out door, indoor and under a awning seating area where you can watch the narrow boats go through the locks.

A great place to go when walking along the canal. Food good and reasonably priced, a great place to go, highly recommended.

Having walked along the canal for several miles a cup of tea was needed. Good service with a smile and a lovely spot to people watch. Situated right on the lock it was nice to watch the boats go by

Very pleasant location with excellent scenery. The inside however is a real let down. The tables are grubby and the service lacking. More importantly the food is over priced and sub standard. Although dog walkers are encouraged there is no facilities for dog dirt etc. Not worth a visit!

Very pleasant location but the coffee shop let it down,the overall stranded coffee shop didnot look clean and the food was very poor bacon was pre cooked and pre heated making it un eatable, don't think I will go again

There's dog poo in the grass outside the cafe. Why? I found out when I tried to put a bagged up dog poo in the bin of this cafe. The owner ordered me to remove it from her bin "as its a food establishment I can't have dog poo in my bin." I pointed out it was bagged and still had to thrust my hand into her bin to retrieve it.

We arrived as a peleton of cyclists and stopped here for a morning snack. The place is under new management and the internal layout has been improved. Very friendly staff and excellent value for money. Wide range of cakes and an excellent pot of tea. Our coffee drinkers were also impressed. The apple tart can be particularly recommended but the toasted tea cakes have room for improvement, a new supplier needed there.

Even though we were staying at Stenson, The canal trip took us back there for a tea break. It was all homemade food. It was lovely sat by the canal.

What a fabulous location - just beside the lock at Stenson (used to be the lock keepers cottage a long time ago). Freshly made and cooked to order drinks, snacks and light meals that you can enjoy whilst watching the boats go by.