Copper Kettle, Reeth named among top biker spots in UK

Sarah Gillis, owner of The Copper Kettle in Reeth, has seen her popular Swaledale café selected as an official stop on the 2026 MARK Bike & Brew Passport.

The initiative, run by the charity Motorbiker Acts of Random Kindness (MARK), encourages riders to visit independent biker-friendly venues while raising money for local causes.

The Copper Kettle in Reeth (Image: NORTHERN ECHO)

Out of 296 participating cafés across England and Wales, The Copper Kettle holds the distinction of being the second most northern stop on the route this year.

The scheme invites bikers to collect stamps at venues along the trail, helping to fund community projects including food banks, hospices and veterans’ support, while also promoting mental health awareness within the motorcycling community.

Sarah said: “Being the second most northern stop out of nearly 300 cafés is a real badge of honour for us.

“Reeth has always been a favourite for bikers, but being part of the MARK family adds a deeper purpose.

“It’s about more than just a pit stop; it’s about supporting mental health and being part of a community that looks out for one another.

“We’re ready to put the kettle on for everyone riding north this year.”

The café is expected to welcome an influx of visitors when the 2026 riding season officially begins on April 1, as bikers travel to tick off one of the northernmost locations on the national map.

MARK, which achieved full charity status in 2025, was founded by riders aiming to channel the biking community’s passion into acts of kindness and support.

Its Bike & Brew Passport scheme has grown into a nationwide network of cafés and “rider hubs” offering welcoming spaces for bikers to connect.

Funds raised through the initiative support a range of grassroots causes, while the organisation also delivers mental health first aid training and installs life-saving equipment such as defibrillators in biker-friendly venues.

Residents and visiting riders are being encouraged to stop by The Copper Kettle to see the passport scheme in action and support a business helping to put Reeth on the national charity map.