The Great West Way's Tea Shops

The Great West Way is an absolute delight for tea aficionados. From traditional British-style tearooms to modern, hipster coffeehouses, the vast array of quaint independent shops along the Great West Way is certain not to disappoint.

A great way to experience the sights and sounds of the Great West Way is to take a tour of its many delightful tea shops. Whether you are looking for an afternoon pick-me-up or a cozy evening hangout, these establishments offer something for everyone. From traditional Victorian tearooms with freshly baked scones to modern cafés serving locally sourced artisanal teas, these fabulous tea shops will definitely satisfy your cravings.

One such example is the charming 7 Flowers & Tea in central Reading, located on Cross Street. With its homey atmosphere and colourful interior, one can quickly immerse themselves in a delightful afternoon tea session here, sharing a pot of speciality tea and a scrummy cake, while taking in the tranquil atmosphere and fresh floral aroma.

Those who prefer their cuppa with a side of artsy vibes should check out the Total Health Cafe on Eastcott Hill. This is an eclectic cafe and art gallery serving freshly baked pastries and cakes, freshly roasted coffee, teas and plenty of vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free food options. There’s an incredibly friendly atmosphere and plenty of seating options, including a garden courtyard – perfect for those sunny summer days when you want to soak up some sun whilst sipping your brew. They hold art classes for adults and kids and for those looking for something a bit different, they even sell CBD cookies and chocolates, and stock a large range of CBD retail products including balms, oils, vapes and even bath bombs! If you’re in the mood for a spot of retail therapy head to the nearby Designer Outlet Swindon give your legs a rest at the wildly modern SOHO Coffee Co.

On the way out of London you’ll pass through Richmond, which has all the cosmopolitan kudos of the capital but in a more serene setting. Vegan and vegetarian café Tide Tables is the epitome of this gratifying fusion. Hidden under an arch of Richmond Bridge, it leads out onto a garden with superlative views of the River Thames. For something more traditional, Newens Maids of Honour charts its beginnings back to the early 18th century. It still sells its eponymous tartsapparently first made by Anne Boleyn for King Henry VIII when she was a Maid of Honour. The cheese-curd-filled puff pastry treats go down very well indeed with a hot pot of tea.

Set in a unique grade II listed building by the Kennet & Avon waterway in The Wharf, Newbury, The Teashop by the Canal is a must-visit, blending the warmth of Italian culture, with fine and splendid rituals of English Cream Teas. There is plenty of outdoor seating to enjoy the view, and watch The Kennet and Avon Canal Trust boat trips on their lovely canal boat 'Jubilee' leaving from the wharf next door.

The Teashop by the Canal

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Head north towards Lechlade and the River Thames and enjoy a hot beverage at The Tearoom of Kelmscott Manor, the iconic Grade I listed country home of poet William Morris. The Tearoom is in an attractive old stable barn adjacent to a tranquil tea lawn with plenty of seating.

Further west, Bradford on Avon is a very pretty town making it a perfect cuppa-lovers rest stop, with its canalside cafés and eccentric tea rooms. There are some lovely options along the towpath, ideal if you’re mid-hike or bike ride and want something as you go. On a sunny day sit outside the Canal Trust Café with a made-in-the-West-Country Marshfield Farm ice cream (try the salted caramel). On a less sunny day, treat yourself to a marshmallow-topped hot chocolate at the quirky, curios-filled café The Lock Inn. You’ll find lots of options amid the alleyways in town, too, including Mr Salvat’s Coffee Room which, down to the quill used to take your order, is happily ensconced in the 17th century.

The Bridge Tea Rooms, meanwhile, are an ode to the Victorian era complete with costumed staff. If you’re visiting with the kids, Woolley Grange Hotel keeps everyone happy, serving both children’s and champagne teas.

Bradford-on-Avon The Bridge Tea Rooms

Image CREDIT Visit Bath ©nicksmithphotography.com

Bradford on Avon is a very pretty town making it a perfect cuppa-lovers rest stop, with its canalside cafés and eccentric tea rooms

Walking the Kennet and Avon Canal towpath you’ll arrive in Pewsey. A quiet, mystical sort of place with its own Wiltshire White Horse. Stop for a cup of tea, and you’re bound to have some illuminating conversations. The Apple Cart Café is a warm, welcoming place on the High Street, while The Charlton Cat has a seriously tasty selection of cakes (try the rhubarb and custard) and an outdoor courtyard with fabulous countryside views. And make sure you pop into Marshalls Bakery to sample their legendary Wiltshire Lardy Cake.

Thanks to its handy location on the route from London to Bristol, the ancient town of Marlborough has always attracted tired travellers (and their thirsty horses) in need of a pick-me-up. Today it continues to cater to passing visitors with all sorts of interesting cafés. The Polly Tea Rooms is perhaps the most well-known. First opened in 1912, it has been ranked one of the best places to enjoy afternoon tea in the UK by The Telegraph. It’s also had some very high-profile visitors over the years, from John Betjeman to the Duchess of Cambridge, who used to pop in with her friends while a student at Marlborough College. Go all out with Polly’s Luxury High Tea, which is everything you’d imagined afternoon tea could be.

Add a touch of romance to your tea break in beautiful Bath. Have a dreamy Tea with Mr. Darcy or perhaps some Crawfords Crumpets at The Regency Tea Room, part of the Jane Austen Centre. Or try some of the city’s famous Bath Buns at Sally Lunn’ssoft, sweet rolls created by a Frenchwoman attempting to create a treat reminiscent of the brioche she missed from home. For a more contemporary experience, there are lots of speciality coffee shops frequented by hip locals - Colonna & Small’s, Society Café and Picnic Coffee are current favourites.

One of the newest tea shops to open in Bath is Sweet Little Things tea room and bakery, centrally located, just next to Southgate. Hard to miss, the café's 'instagrammable' window is bedecked with pink flowers, and is decorated inside with even more blooms, making for lots of aesthetically pleasing corners perfect in which to sit with a coffee and slice of cake. Take your pick from their extensive menu, including brunch options such as pancakes with a variety of toppings and acai smoothie bowls, quiches and toasted sandwiches for lunch, afternoon tea options ranging from classic to prosecco and gin, and plenty of hot drinks, from coffee to their own signature pink hot chocolates.

Sweet Little Things

This atmospheric village of Castle Combe is a destination in itself but also makes a lovely stop-off point for a cup of tea as you explore the velvety hills of the Cotswolds. The Old Stables, with its super spacious lawn, is popular among cyclists and ramblers looking for a place to stretch out and rest. Well-behaved pups are very welcome too. Elsewhere, Sweetapples Teashop is another perfect stop for cyclists located in the centre of the beautiful historic Cotswold village of Marshfield.

Castle Combe

Iamge credit ©nicksmithphotography.com

Goring-on-Thames and Streatley are two places that sit on opposite sides of the River Thames, scenically linked by a bridge where many like to stop and soak up the view. Both have some wonderful tea options. Pierreponts Café is a favourite, serving up both a Goring and a Streatley themed afternoon tea. The Village Chocolate Cafe has a warm, community feel and was a favourite of the late pop star George Michael, who had a house nearby. Try The Royal Goring Cream Tea - a traditional high tea with hearty scones, strawberry jam and clouds of rich clotted cream and over on the Streatley side, by the water, The Swan and its Boathouse Deli & Cafe.

Head to the charming Wiltshire town of Malmesbury on the edge of the Cotswolds for a relaxed break. This lovely town has plenty of welcoming cafes, alongside many independent shops and the stunning 12th Century Abbey. For a sumptuous, 3-tiered afternoon tea experience, the magnificent Whatley Manor is the place to go. Nearby, Westonbirt, the National Arboretum is a lovely option; a magical garden of trees where you can recharge your batteries amongst the greenery before enjoying a refreshing cuppa at the cafe.

For a truly unique tea break, stop at Avebury, which has the unusual honour of being the only village within a prehistoric stone circle. There are several places to pause here, as you explore the largest stone circle in the world. The Coach House café is right in the middle of all the action, perfect for a quick cuppa and an energising flapjack, while Avebury Manor tea room is more of a sit-down-and-savour affair, where nothing but a full cream tea will do. Avebury is also a fine spot for a picnic if you want to sit outside and behold the mysteries of the stones. Over at the Stonehenge Visitor Centre, you can try Wiltshire’s very own blend of tea made by The Wiltshire Tea Company.

Due to Hungerford’s relatively central location along the Great West Way, it’s an especially convenient place to stop and replenish your energy. The Tutti Pole is a cosy hideaway for a cup of tea and a toasted teacake. While the health-conscious café, Elaine, serves up colourful salads and green juices. Then there’s Honesty Hungerford, a bright and breezy space with onsite parking. Cobbs Farm Shop and Kitchen is also nice to visit if you’d like to sample some fresh, seasonal produce after your cup of tea or coffee. It also has a pleasing garden terraceand a log burner inside for chilly days. Or why not treat yourself and someone special to an Afternoon Tea at the Peppermill Town House Hotel restaurant? Afternoon Tea includes a traditional selection of finger sandwiches, home-baked scones, colourful cakes and pâtisserie, accompanied by freshly brewed tea or coffee and the option to add some fizz to your afternoon tea with a glass of Botter Prosecco or Collet Champagne to make the occasion sparkle.

Not far from the Great West Way, amid the natural splendour of the Cotswolds Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, you’ll find Tetbury. With its cobbled steps, listed buildings and elegant spire, the small town is an enchanting place to spend some time. Café 53 has a secret garden, and is close to the Prince of Wales’s Highgrove Shop where you can buy organic teas, including his own blend of black tea. Meanwhile, Hobbs House Bakery is great for a coffee and a sourdough sandwich.

These are just some of the many delightful tea spots on the Great West Way, there are plenty more family-run establishments serving traditional varieties to modern cafes selling novelty infusions and exotic oolong blends to discover, so be sure to brew yourself some nostalgia and include these heavenly tea shops into your next journey.