Quick info
About Final Whistle Cafe
At the University of Lancashire Sports Arena, Final Whistle Cafe is a cafe sitting next to the Lancaster canal near the Guild Wheel and the UCLan sports centre. Seating spans the ground floor and an upstairs area, plus outdoor seating and a garden to the side. Children have their own outdoor space with a sandbox and smaller picnic tables, and high chairs are available for families with young children. Dogs are welcome inside and out, and dog-safe ice cream is offered alongside Wallings ice cream. The display counter shows cakes and treats, and the kitchen does a cooked breakfast with a choice of sausages and bacon. The cafe is walk-in, with no need to book, and a step-free, wheelchair-accessible entrance serves visitors with mobility needs. It opens Tuesday to Sunday, closed Mondays. Free parking is available on site.
Good to know
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegetarian options
Menu & Prices
69 dishes · mains £2–12- Mega Breakfast£12.00
- Sausage£4.00
- Bacon£4.00
- Sausage & Bacon£6.00
- Bacon & Egg£5.00
- Sausage & Egg£5.00
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee, ice cream, canal-side location and dog friendly.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coffee, ice cream, canal-side location and dog friendly.
Customer Review Summary
Coffee is the most frequent draw at this café on the edge of the sports arena by the canal, with reviewers calling it rich and smooth and one singling out the iced coffee. Close behind is the welcome, as owners and staff are described as friendly, chatty and accommodating. One parent says their daughter with special needs is always made a fuss of. Food earns specific praise too: a toasted panini, the brunch menu, fresh chips, a breakfast called fantastic value, and the new Lincolnshire sausages. Ice cream, including Biscoff and Wallings, appeals to families stopping after football or canal walks, and reviewers also mention a quiet setting with outdoor seating and a garden. The one caveat comes from a reviewer who calls the spot a little heat trap beside the canal on a sunny day. Parents note the new pirate ship sandpit outside, and one dog owner points to the doggy safe ice cream.
Customer Review Summary
Coffee is the most frequent draw at this café on the edge of the sports arena by the canal, with reviewers calling it rich and smooth and one singling out the iced coffee. Close behind is the welcome, as owners and staff are described as friendly, chatty and accommodating. One parent says their daughter with special needs is always made a fuss of. Food earns specific praise too: a toasted panini, the brunch menu, fresh chips, a breakfast called fantastic value, and the new Lincolnshire sausages. Ice cream, including Biscoff and Wallings, appeals to families stopping after football or canal walks, and reviewers also mention a quiet setting with outdoor seating and a garden. The one caveat comes from a reviewer who calls the spot a little heat trap beside the canal on a sunny day. Parents note the new pirate ship sandpit outside, and one dog owner points to the doggy safe ice cream.
Featured reviews
- Adam Gregory
“If you want somewhere to hide from your coach, this is the place, lovely staff, great food! Drop in and see them!”
- shirley barlow
“Canalside cafe which is dog friendly. Indoor and outdoor seating with toilets on site. Lovely walk along the path adjacent to canal accessed over a bridge. Also on part of the Guild Wheel. Had a lovely panini and coffee there.”
- Marilyn Buchanan
“Such a lovely place, Gaynor the owner always makes me and my daughter very welcome. My daughter has special needs and is always made very welcome and made a fuss of. We always call in when we are having a walk near the canal. I can highly recommend the food and the coffee is lovely. Give it a try if you're near by.”
- Old Time Gamer
“What a gem of a place to find, lovely sat out with a cool drink and a delicious sausage and egg butty. Just what I needed after a long walk with the dogs. Thank you”
- Joy Sale
“Such a lovely café with a really warm atmosphere. The owner was incredibly friendly and accommodating, making us feel welcome from the moment we walked in. And honestly, the iced coffee was one of the best I’ve had in a long time. Great service, great vibe, and overall a really enjoyable experience. Will definitely be coming back!”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
- Free of charge street parking
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
Show more amenities
- Family friendly
- Vegetarian options
- Casual
- On-site services
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Dining options· 5
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dessert
- Seating
- Popular for· 2
- Solo dining
- Good for working on laptop
- Pet-friendly· 2
- Dogs allowed inside
- Dogs allowed outside
- Offerings· 1
- Quick bite
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Crowd· 5
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Tourists
- Transgender safe space
- University students
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible seating
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Parking· 2
- Free parking lot
- Parking
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs
- Kids' menu
Location
Cafes near Final Whistle Cafe
- Khan'z Lounge4.31981.8 miReservations
shisha flavour combos, non-alcoholic drinks and shakes, mint tea and desserts
- No 15 Café House4.82402.1 mi£15–30Vegetarian optionsVegan optionsReservations
baby shower catering, graze board, cakes
- Roots Café4.74722.5 mi
homemade pea & ham soup, cakes, full English breakfast
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Final Whistle CafeOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options | 4.6527 | — | £1–15 | coffee, ice cream, canal-side location |
| Khan'z LoungeReservations | 4.3198 | 1.8 mi | — | shisha flavour combos, non-alcoholic drinks and shakes, mint tea and desserts |
| No 15 Café HouseVegetarian options · Vegan options · Reservations | 4.8240 | 2.1 mi | £15–30 | baby shower catering, graze board, cakes |
| Roots Café | 4.7472 | 2.5 mi | — | homemade pea & ham soup, cakes, full English breakfast |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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