The OWNER of a popular Cockermouth cafe has expanded into the Lake District hills.

Stephen Kidd who runs The Moon and Sixpence on Main Street is now serving coffee, cake and more at nearby walking spots.

Offering a completely unique experience in the north lakes, visitors and regular customers have been raving at the new venture.

Buying a van and transforming it into a takeaway cafe on wheels for cyclists and walkers was always going to be a hit.

Stephen said, "The opportunity arose of working with the National Trust and I jumped on it, I thought 'what an incredible thing to do,' to make coffee in a place I love to visit myself.

"I was ready to try and give something else a go.

"A lot of our regulars go for walks and wild swimming at Crummock and Loweswater. Crummock is also a place I absolutely adore and have done since a child so what an experience to be able to make coffee in that valley."

With the shop running smoothly Stephen wanted another challenge and had the idea for a takeaway van since he first created Moon and Sixpence - realising now was a better time than any to make that idea become a reality.

"It was a project I conceived before lockdown," he said, "I've always wanted a van - not many people know this - the shop was originally going to be a van in the first place.

"But I managed to do the shop first and van second.

"To have a pitch in the National Park is truly incredible. I never thought I'd be able to do that."

The 'brew with a view' van is currently running at Crummock, Rannerdale Knotts, and Lanthwaite Wood from 9am to 3pm, Wednesday to Sunday, either ran by Stephen himself or Richard Townend.

The van was converted by Mike Hutton of Cumbria Van Solutions. And Stephen was delighted with Pod Graphics (Lillyhall) who transformed the outside of "an unassuming red van into what it is today".

They will be offering hot and cold drinks, cakes and bakes. "We'll stick to what we’re good at and keep it simple," he said.

"We're going to be running predominantly at the car parks at Crummock and whenever it's not that nice, we'll be sheltered at Lanthwaite Wood."

Stephen's takeaway van provided services for the Team Townend Cycle challenge couple weeks back and the X-Lakes hiking and paragliding event.

They will also be serving at Crow Park in Keswick for the travelling theatre taking place on August 5-8.

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