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There’s no finer place to enjoy the British tradition of cream tea than the charming and cosy tearooms, cafés and inns in The Cotswolds. Whether it’s a comforting tea by a log fire or a luxurious Afternoon Tea in a summer garden, this list caters to every season and taste.
Lucy’s Tearoom, Stow-on-the-Wold
Flower baskets and British flags dress this delightful family-run tearoom in the heart of Stow-on-the-Wold. Lucy’s Tearoom is a lovely spot for lunch or a traditional cream tea, and on a cold winters day you can warm up over a homemade soup or hearty English breakfast prepared using locally sourced ingredients.
The Swan Hotel, Bibury
The Swan Hotel is close to one of The Cotswolds most photographed locations, Arlington Row. The stylish country bar in Bibury has a log fire, comfortable armchairs and a terrace for the summer months to dine outdoors.
The Manor House, Castle Combe
One of the most elegant places to have Afternoon Tea in The Cotswolds is the luxurious Manor House in Castle Combe, a place that’s often referred to as one of England’s prettiest villages. Presented on a tier cake stand, you can expect to enjoy this indulgent tradition in their delightful Drawing Room, restaurant or summer garden.
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The Bridge Tea Rooms, Bradford-on-Avon
The bowing frontage, uneven windows and short doorway, The Bridge Tea Rooms in Bradford-on-Avon is packed full of character and has won some prestigious awards. Situated on the southern edge of The Cotswolds, this beautiful town is full of pretty honey coloured properties and historic buildings like a 14th Century Tithe Barn.
The Slaughters Inn, Lower Slaughter
Wooden beams, low ceilings and a crackling log fire, The Slaughters Inn is a quintessential English pub with a contemporary restaurant area. After strolling along the cottages in Lower Slaughter to the Old Mill, cosy up with a pot of tea by the fireplace before making your way to Bourton-on-the-Water nearby, nicknamed Venice of The Cotswolds.
Further reading: 10 picture postcard places to visit in The Cotswolds
Diversitea Café, Cirencester
Tucked away inside the cosy confines of the Corn Hall market in Cirencester you’ll find Diversitea, a café using traditional china and teapots to brew anything from Rooibos and Darjeeling to a typical English Breakfast tea. Cirencester is known as the ‘Capital of The Cotswolds’ because it’s a large market town for the area with a long history dating back to the Ancient Romans.
Badgers Hall, Chipping Campden
This charming B&B and tearoom has a lounge area offering everything you’d expect on an English tea menu; crumpets, teacakes and sandwiches that are frequently served as platters for two to enjoy with a pot of tea or coffee.
Badgers Hall is located on Chipping Campden’s beautiful High Street where you’ll also find a Market Hall that was built in 1627 and is under the protection of the National Trust.
Further reading: A guide to visiting Bibury in The Cotswolds
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Sally Lunn’s, Bath
The UNESECO city of Bath is a gateway to The Cotswolds from the south. The streets are lined with grand Georgian buildings that have been used as a backdrop for the period drama series Bridgerton.
There are numerous tearooms in Bath, including Sally Lunn’s, a characterful ‘Eating House and Museum’ and home of the famous Sally Lunn bun, a melt in your mouth sweet bun that I love to enjoy with an English Breakfast tea, freshly brewed from a teapot using tea leaves.
Another option is The Bridge Coffee Shop, as the name suggests it is positioned on one of Bath’s iconic sights, Pulteney Bridge, so you can enjoy sipping your drink with a view over the river, weir and park.
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Loverly write up and photo’s, with some good ideas for trips out.
Thank you!! 😀
Wow! Those are some really charming places. All going on my travel list right now. 🙂
Thanks Janja, glad you think so!
Hello…
Just what we done in September…drunk tea in Bath…a lovley place ..on my first but not the last visit in England. I love the small villages with the old stonehouses…we saw so much ..all history ….it was my best journey ever..and am 60…idont like to fly but i fix it…..so i take your places and keep them to my next visit…..many regards ftom Madeleine in Sweden
So pleased to hear you enjoyed your journey through those villages Madeleine! I hope this list is useful for your next visit 🙂
I absolutely loved The Slaughters Inn. A friend and I walked from Stow-on-the-Wold to Burton-on-the-Water, and we used the Slaughters as our resting point. It’s only about a 5 mile walk in total, but we were taking our time, taking in the sights and meandering through the lovely villages. We were exhausted by the time we found The Slaughters Inn, so we did exactly what you suggest — stopped for a pot of tea, some treats, and a bit of a lounge in front of the large fireplace before continuing on our adventure. It was wonderful, and one of my favorite memories of that walk — though, I admit, there are many great memories from that trip! Your photo above brought me right back to being in the Inn. 🙂 Now, I just have to get back to the Cotswolds so I can try all the other places for tea! 🙂
Ah I’m so pleased to hear that CJ! I really like that walk too and you’re right, Slaughters Inn is perfect resting point. Hope you get back there soon 🙂
I visited the Cotswolds in October. The villages, as well as, the villagers were delightful . The scones and tea with milk was to die for. It’s almost like being in a fairytale as you walk and take in the history and rich culture of this oh so beautiful landscape. I hope to return one day!♥️
It really is Sheila, a total world of its own – glad you enjoyed your visit!
This is such a helpful post. We’ve been trying to take a road trip every week to ease the boredom of not being able to travel internationally, but I was starting to run out of ideas for places to visit and the Cotswolds is only about an hour away from us so it’s definitely somewhere I need to explore more of!
Thank you Becky! There’s so many lovely spots to enjoy in The Cotswolds – and I think a tearoom is always a good place to start!
These are lovely spots, thanks for sharing! Friends of mine live in the Forest of Dean area so next time I’m around I may have a look at the Cirencester one. And same to you, if you’re ever in the FoD area, you should check out the tea rooms on Monmouth High Street.
Carolin | Solo Travel Story
Hi Carolin, glad you think so – Cirencester is a lovely town to visit. And I’m overdue a trip to Monmouth, I’ve been to Green & Jenks and (I think) Salt & Pepper for lunch. If you have any other recommendations then please share! 🙂