Cafès and Tearooms

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From the central Edinburgh cafè that spawned Harry Potter to the traditional tea shops synonymous with British culture, there are cafès and tearooms all over the country, perfect for catching up with friends or having a refresh in between exploring.

The Brits and their tea

While it is true that tea doesn’t come from Britain, it is a truth universally acknowledged that the British do love their tea, it is something that has been enjoyed for over 300 years. In fact, the Twinings Flagship Store in London is the oldest tea shop in the city, not that you’d guess it from the inside. The brand, and indeed, the shop which still stands at 216 The Strand in central London was created by Thomas Twining, who opened his own shop, Tom’s Coffee House in 1706. Luckily for Tom, he started up business after the Great Fire of London, when many of the city’s wealthiest were moving to west London and where Tom’s tea and coffee became an incredibly popular beverage.

Back in the day, ladies were not allowed to enter a coffee house, instead they would have to wait outside while a male servant retrieved their drinks for them, being the clever chap that he was, Thomas Twining purchased the neighbouring properties, opening a dry tea and coffee shop so that the ladies could browse by themselves without damaging their reputation.

A number of notable names and faces graced the doorstep at Tom’s Coffee House, including Jane Austen and William Hogarth. An original Hogarth is still on display there today.

An older tearoom can be found on the Isle of Wight, the Bat’s Wing has been there since the 16th century, located in a Grade II listed building. It retains much of its historic charm making it a great place for any history buff to go for a cup of tea.

According to Samuel Pepys, the famous diarist, the first coffee house in England can be found in 1650 and is right in the heart of Oxford.

Since the 18th century, the UK has been one of the world’s largest tea drinkers – having originally been a drink for an upper-class drink in Europe, it has since become common among all people and is an important part of the British identity.

A tea time treat

One of the best things about going out for a cup of tea is the chance to experience a High Tea or even, if you’re feeling a bit indulgent a cream tea.

The afternoon tea was created by the Duchess of Bedford who decided that there was too long a gap between lunch and dinner, so started ordering trays of tea, cake and sandwiches for her to enjoy with her friends. There is some debate around the cream tea – depending on where in the country you are, will depend on how you will be encouraged to eat it and there is also some argument on who invented it. All you really need to know is that a cream tea is to be enjoyed with a hearty cuppa, locally made jam and west country cream dolloped on top of scones– whether you go jam or cream first is entirely up to you!

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Boswell's Coach House

Address

Auchinleck House Estate, Auchinleck, CUMNOCK, Ayrshire, KA18 2LR

Telephone
01290 553145

aly@boswellsestate.co.uk

CUMNOCK

A renovated coach house built by James Boswell back in 1760. One part is a coffee shop/restaurant and then there is a large area with sofas and chairs to sit and relax and read the daily newspapers.

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Poppy's Vintage Tea Room

Address

17 Church Walk, St Neots, Cambridgeshire, PE19 1JH

Telephone
01480 215932

poppysvintagetearoom@gmail.com

Poppy's Vintage Tearoom offers a wide selection of high-quality teas and coffees, all served in fine china as well as a large variety of homemade cakes and scones.

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Farrers Tea and Coffee Shop

Address

13 Stricklandgate, KENDAL, Cumbria, LA9 4LY

Telephone
01539 731707

KENDAL

Gleaming dark wood floors and staircases open into separate rooms with large and small tables. Excellent tea and freshly ground coffee sourced from all over the world.

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White Mulberries

Address

D3 Ivory House, St Katharine Docks, East Smithfield, LONDON, E1W 1AT

Telephone
07507 57260

East Smithfield, LONDON

Located in historical Ivory house, built in 1858 and the only original warehouse still standing in St. Katharine Docks, White Mulberries coffee shop is only a short walk from Tower Bridge and Tower Hill station.

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The Knights Table

Address

Little Stainforth, Settle, BD24 0DP

Telephone
01729 822200

Settle

Nestling amongst the rolling Yorkshire Dales Hills is The Knights Table Café and Restaurant. Uniquely situated at the northern end of the Ribble Valley, the Knights table provides food fit for a King.

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Cafe At All Saints

Address

High Street, All Saints Church, Hereford, HR4 9AA

Telephone
01432 370415

Hereford

Locally sourced home-cooked food served in stunning medieval church. Also Illy coffee and home-made cakes.

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19 Fourteas Tea Room

Address

68 West Street, HAVANT, Hampshire, PO9 1LN

Telephone
02392 476333

betty@19fourteashavant.co.uk

HAVANT

A 1940's nostalgia tea room, with real vintage china and a homely atmosphere. Gluten Free menu is available. Enter as a customer, leave as a friend.

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Earl Grey Tea House

Address

Howick Hall Gardens, ALNWICK, Northumberland, NE66 3LB

Telephone
01665 572232

ALNWICK

You will find The Earl Grey Tea House situated in the East Quadrant of Howick Hall. During the 1928 rebuild, the quadrant had been converted into a kitchen, pantry, larders, store rooms, and servants hall.

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Newens The Original Maids of Honour

Address

288 Kew Road, RICHMOND, Surrey, TW9 3DU

Telephone
020 8940 2752

RICHMOND

We’ve been keeping traditional baking skills alive for over 120 years. And our history dates back even further – to Tudor times and the dainty little tarts we are named after.

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Raggedy Cat Tearoom

Address

57 Staithe Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk, NR23 1AN

Telephone
07955 085600

Wells-next-the-Sea

Fabulous teas, fantastic coffee, doorstep sandwiches and delicious homemade cakes and scones.

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Coxwold Tea Rooms

Address

School House, Coxwold, YO61 4AD

Telephone
07957371734

Coxwold

Slouch in our ‘Snug’, gaze at the picturesque village from our Edwardian shuttered windows or bask amongst the buddleia and butterflies in our beautiful rear garden.

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Pallets Tea & Coffee House

Address

High Street, Beaulieu, New Forest, Brockenhurst, SO45 7YA

Telephone
01590 612409

palletscoffeehouse@gmail.com

New Forest

We stopped here for tea and scones at the weekend. Beautiful setting, right in the heart of Beaulieu. The scones (cheese or plain) were huge and absolutely delicious! - TA

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Hamford View Vintage Tea Room

Address

Hamford View, Little Oakley, Essex, CO12 5JJ

Telephone
07907434401

Little Oakley

We pride ourselves on our friendly service and home made cooking. Every morning before we open you will find Michelle cooking the cakes for the day. Whether you want a cream tea or the indulgence of a full afternoon English tea the choice is yours,…

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The Brits and their tea

A tea time treat

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