by When it comes to afternoon tea in Bath, you really are spoiled for choice. You can feast on a fantastic variety of fine sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries, in the comfort and elegance of a number of the city’s upmarket hotels. Or you can opt for a cup of tea and a distinctive roll or slice of cake at one of Bath’s many tea rooms.
For more inspiration for Bath, check out our guide to the city and its best hotels, restaurants, bars and nightlife, pubs, things to do and places for afternoon tea.
Villa Rosee
Occupying two stately Victorian mansions overlooking peaceful Henrietta Park, the refined Roseate Villa is one of Bath’s finest small-scale hotels. One of its highlights is its afternoon teas. Almost everything is baked or homemade, including the bread for the sandwiches, the warm and light scones and accompanying jams, and the delicate and elaborate pastry – I particularly liked the mascarpone cream dome with jelly of raspberry on shortbread. There is a selection of loose leaf teas to choose from. You can enjoy it on the lawn overlooking the park or in the dining room, made elegant by its American-style shutters. The service is impeccable.
Contact: roseatehotels.com/bath/theroseatevilla
Price: ££
Reservations: Recommended
The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa
Expensive but totally worth it. If you can, come on a hot summer day for tea on the lawns of the hotel’s beautiful garden, hidden behind the crescent. Otherwise, you dine, with some formality, in the refined Dower House restaurant. The substantial and sophisticated afternoon tea includes finger sandwiches, scones, bath rolls (with a sugar cube inside) and elaborate pastries. There is a vegetarian option. Brownie Points to be offered free seconds of food and drink refills.
Contact: royalcrescent.co.uk
Price: £££
Reservations: Essential
Brasserie du Bain de Lierre
Part of the upscale Ivy chain, the Ivy Bath Brasserie is stunning – a glitzy combination of Georgian elements (ornate stucco ceiling, fluted pillars) and Art Deco-inspired style, in the form of covered walls mirrors and works of art. Full afternoon tea is reasonable value by expensive Bath standards. The warm and light fruit scones, served with lots of clotted cream and jam, were a highlight, as was the truffled chicken brioche roll. Exquisite desserts included creme brulee infused donuts and chocolate and salted caramel mousse topped with edible flowers and presented in miniature flower pots. The service was top notch.
Contact: theivybathbrasserie.com
Prices: ££
Reservations: Recommended – ask for a table at the front
Bath Priory
Located in a residential area of Bath, The Bath Priory looks like a country hotel. Weather permitting, you can (and should) take tea on the terrace overlooking the beautiful gardens; otherwise, it’s served in the art-filled lounge or in the more intimate bar/dining room The Pantry. The full afternoon tea is mostly a very traditional experience, with the finger sandwiches and the light and fluffy plain and fruit scones – the best I’ve sampled for this article – presented on very elegant. The only real departure from tradition is the rich, creamy French-style pastry instead of cakes. Various loose leaf teas are offered.
Contact: thebathpriory.co.uk
Price: £££
Reservations: Recommended
by Sally Lunn
Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House attracts tourists in droves, but don’t let that put you off. Its appeal is partly based on the fact that it is (probably) the oldest house in Bath: it dates from 1482, there is a kind of small museum in the basement and its three dining rooms are spacious , comfortable and pretty. But the main reason to come is to have a unique Sally Lunn bun. The giant but light brioche-like delicacy is served in half, toasted, with a savory or sweet filling – with melted cinnamon butter it’s delicious. The bun is a meal in itself, but homemade cakes like the unusual Marlborough custard pie are good too.
Contact: sallylunns.co.uk
Price: £
Reservations: Not possible
Comins tea
Michelle and Rob Comins are passionate about tea – like what you can drink. They even wrote a book about it. In their quiet, minimalist tea house (bare wooden tables and floors, maps of the tea plantations on the white walls), they serve a wide and fascinating range of single plantation teas; water is heated to a specific optimum temperature and instructions are given on how long your order should be steeped. Food-wise, home-baked cakes and cookies include Assam tea-infused bread, white chocolate cookies and blueberry scones. There is also matcha ice cream and gyoza balls. A fixed menu lets you choose a selection of items.
Contact: comenstea.com
Price: £
Reservations: Not necessary
No.15 Great Pulteney
This funky boutique hotel is a great choice if you want an upscale but not stuffy afternoon tea. It’s usually served in the lounge/bar, with the cake stand hanging from a wrought-iron tree above your table, under whose glass top will be an array of vintage jewellery. Highlights include large warm homemade scones, a glass of pink champagne and strawberry jelly, and a gloriously colorful array of homemade mini pastries and cakes, such as a Lemon Raspberry Battenberg. With 24 hours notice, you can have an afternoon picnic (blanket provided) in nearby Henrietta Park.
Contact: guesthousehotels.co.uk/no-15-great-pulteney-bath
Price: £££
Reservations: Recommended
The pump room
This beautiful Georgian building next to the Roman Baths is Bath’s most atmospheric spot for afternoon tea. Fluted columns line the grand salon, a giant crystal chandelier hangs from a high ceiling, and a classical string trio plays in the afternoon. Afternoon tea includes savory items such as a beer and rarebit Cheddar, along with scones and pastries, and is served at noon, 2pm and 4pm. Reservations highly recommended, but depending on availability, walk-in visits are possible. Although the food is good, in my opinion, it does not quite match what is offered in the best hotels in town. In the morning you can have tea and a slice of cake at a fraction of the price of full afternoon tea.
Contact: baths-romains.co.uk/room-of-pumps-restaurant
Price: £££
Reservations: Highly recommended, but walk-in sometimes possible
The Regency Tea Room
This cozy tea room is nestled on the top floor of the Jane Austen Center. Waitresses in Regency-style dresses attend diners with attention and a portrait of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy watches the stage. The complete afternoon tea – Tea with Mr Darcy – covers all the necessary bases: finger sandwiches, a hot, large and light scone, and a selection of mini cakes/pastries which can include a Bakewell pie and a chocolate sponge. Miss Dashwood’s Afternoon Tea is a smaller, cheaper version. Everything is made or purchased locally.
Contact: jeausten.co.uk
Price: ££
Reservations: Possible but not essential
