The UK’s best tearooms
Winter is the time when all we feel like doing is stopping off at a cosy cafe for a warming drink and a slice of gooey cake. We all know that the British love their tea, so it’s not surprising that the country is also home to some of the best cosy little tea rooms in the world. We’ve searched the country to find you the UK’s best tearooms, so that if you’re going on a short break this winter you’ll know where to find the perfect place to warm up.
Rocke Cottage Tearooms
Set in a charming little village cottage, Rocke Cottage Tearooms has been named winner of the Tea Guild’s Top Tea Place for 2011. Think old fashioned wooden beamed interior, with floral table cloths, matching china and cosy fireplaces. Themed in the style of the 1920’s and 30’s, Rocke Cottage is set in picturesque surroundings and is a great stop for walkers and cyclists. Enjoy warming homemade soups and quiches or a fine cup of tea with a traditional British scone.
Where: Clungford, Shropshire.
Orange Pekoe
This cute boutique style cafe, located overlooking the iconic River Thames, is passionate about tea and serves a range of fragrant Darjeeling’s, heady spiced black loose leaf, fruity mixes and floral Earl Grey’s displayed in elegant old fashioned tea caddies. Relax in Orange Pekoe's calming stylish interior with your fine bone china cup and a classic English scone or elegant three tiered cake stand decked with lemon chiffon or almond and orange cake.
Where: 3 White Hart Lane, Barnes, London.
Peacock’s
Located in the small sleepy little town of Ely in Cambridgeshire, this cottage style tea rooms has won numerous awards from the British Tea Guild and Country Living magazine, we can definitely see why. If you’re a tea connoisseur you’ll love Peacock’s tea menu, featuring a different kind of tea from every continent in the world. Owners George and Rachel pride themselves on their quirky menu, serving sweet treats such as chocolate zucchini cake, and in winter Rachel’s special mulled wine.
Where: 65 Waterside, Ely, Cambridgeshire.
Eteaket
If you’re headed to the Scottish capital this winter, you couldn’t do much better than Eteaket tea boutique and cafe. Here they aim to ‘make tea sexy again’. It’s the place to sit back and relax with a cup of your favourite brew or try something new from their range of black, green, oolong, white, rooibos, infusions and flowering teas. The cafe’s resident tea boffins will answer any questions you have about Britain’s favourite drink and even show you how to brew the perfect cup. Enjoy your tea with a range of elegant pastries and sandwiches.
Where: 41, Frederick Street, Edinburgh.
The Owl Tearooms
Located in one of the UK’s cosiest towns – Holt in north Norfolk, The Owl Tearooms has been a much loved part of the community for years. Enter the mustard yellow cottage, complete with traditional striped awning and sit on old antique church pews with the cafe’s own handmade earthen coloured pottery. Choose from traditional favourites such as their famous ‘melt in the mouth’ sausage rolls, classic Victoria sponge and coffee and walnut cakes, or sample something from their innovative lunch and evening menus, such as spiced Moroccan tagine served in a traditional pot. If you’re feeling naughty, try the Owl’s signature afternoon treat - Owl Chocolate – filled with crunchy biscuit, dried fruit and cherries.
Where: Janoway House, Church Street, Holt, Norfolk.
The Bridge Tearooms
Step back in time to the Victorian era, in this old atmospheric and quintessentially British tearoom. Having won awards by the British Tea Guild, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped a Dickens’ novel, complete with white pinafore-clad waitresses and antique dressing tables piled high with classic cream cakes and scones for the perfect afternoon tea. The Bridge Tearooms is a great place to come in the winter and will leave you feeling very festive.
Where: 24a Bridge Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire.
So, whatever kind of short break you’ll be enjoying this winter, whether it’s an iconic city break in London or Edinburgh, a country retreat to the wilds of Shropshire or Wiltshire or a trendy escape to the north Norfolk coast, you’re sure to find the perfect spot to enjoy a cup of tea.
