Introducing: The Touring Club

On a quiet stretch in Penarth, there’s a place that doesn’t quite behave like anywhere else. The Touring Club isn’t trying to fit into a familiar category, it feels more like a living room that decided to open its doors to the public, then quietly refined itself without losing that sense of ease. Dylan Griffith (Smörgåsbord Design Studio), Rowan Hobbs and Grant Maunder (The Brecon Hotel, Adelboden, Switzerland) together with Chef Bryn Williams, (formerly Chef Patron of Odette’s in Primrose Hill, London) are the people that have shaped it with intention rather than excess. You can sense that the ownership isn’t just about running a venue, but about creating a space that holds its own rhythm. Nothing feels rushed or overly polished; instead, there’s a steady confidence in how it all comes together. It’s the kind of place that seems to trust itself and that trust shows.

Inside, the atmosphere leans into texture and warmth. Light, materials and layout all seem to work together without demanding attention. It’s not about one standout feature, but about how everything sits in balance: soft edges, thoughtful details and a layout that invites you to settle in rather than pass through. It encourages a slower pace, even if you hadn’t planned on one. The purpose here feels refreshingly grounded. It’s a space for meeting, pausing and sharing, whether that’s over a quick coffee or a longer evening spent with food and conversation. There’s no pressure to perform or rush; instead, it offers a kind of quiet permission to simply be present. That’s something you can’t manufacture easily, but it’s clearly been nurtured.

The food and drink follow that same philosophy. The menu doesn’t try to overwhelm, it focuses on doing a few things well, with attention to balance and flavour rather than excess. Drinks are treated with equal care, whether you’re stopping in for something simple or something a little more considered. It’s the kind of place where quality quietly speaks for itself. And then there’s the coffee, our Coaltown Coffee, which they’ve stocked since day one. That’s something we’re genuinely proud of. From the very beginning, there’s been a shared understanding between us and the Touring Club about what good coffee should be: honest, consistent and treated with respect. Working with them from the moment they opened has shaped a relationship built on trust and it’s one we’re genuinely pleased to continue.

The overall vibe is hard to pin down in a single phrase, which is part of its charm. It isn’t trying to be trendy, nor is it leaning into nostalgia. Instead, it exists in its own space calm, assured and quietly distinctive. You don’t just visit it; you experience it and each visit feels slightly different depending on the time of day, the light and the people around you. In a world where so many places try to stand out by being louder, the Touring Club does the opposite. It draws you in by being consistent and human and that’s what makes it memorable.