If there’s one thing everybody knows about us Brits, it’s that we love our afternoon tea.
We’re happy to drink a cuppa with just about every meal (and a few in between), making it no surprise that some of our most traditional villages are bursting with historical tearooms. And if it’s the traditional villages you’re after, you simply must pay a visit to the Cotswolds.
Famous for its countryside vistas and trails, thatched medieval villages and distinctive yellow limestone buildings, the Cotswolds is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty that offers a glimpse into traditional British life through the ages. When you need a break from traversing the rolling hills and cobbled streets, quench your thirst and satisfy your appetite by visiting these tearooms.
Tisanes Tea Rooms, Broadway
Tisanes Tea Rooms occupies a beautiful 17th-century building with plenty of old-world charm and a quaint garden. On the menu, you’ll see over 40 varieties of tea, a wide range of ground coffees, breakfast bites, freshly baked sandwiches, and delicious lunch snacks. Try the locally adored tomato soup to warm up on a chilly day. Need to satisfy your sweet tooth? The homemade sticky toffee pudding is to die for.
Lucy’s Tearoom, Stow-on-the-Wold
Lucy’s Tearoom has been serving Britain’s favourite beverage for over 300 years, and it remains one of the top-rated traditional tea rooms in the Cotswolds. It serves a range of homemade desserts and sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients, a delicious full English breakfast, and a variety of light lunch options. In addition to its teas and coffees, its menu includes beers, wines, and champagnes.
The Bantam Tea Rooms & Guest House, Chipping Camden
Chipping Camden is one of the prettiest market towns in the Cotswolds, characterised by its terraced high street filled with buildings constructed between the 14th and 17th centuries. The Bantam Team Rooms occupies one of these delightful period buildings, where the characterful interior décor is just as appealing as its menu. After you’ve finished sipping your cuppa, buy a homemade jam from the gift shop as a tasty memento of your trip.
Jacks Café & Tearoom, Cirencester
If you need something a tad more filling than a light lunch, head to Jacks Café & Tearoom in Cirencester, the largest town in the Cotswolds. Exceptional, locally sourced tea and coffee aside, Jacks offers hearty meals ranging from homemade burgers to delicious brunch bowls. Try this tearoom’s signature Jack’s Burger, which contains fillings such as premium beef, tomato jam, streaky bacon and Monterey Jack Cheese.
If you’d rather try a traditional afternoon tea in London, head to the Rubens at the Palace or the Milestone luxury hotels for an unforgettable experience.
