Travel Guides

Top Tearooms

Serving up soups made from things grown in our kitchen gardens, cakes baked to historical recipes and as much locally sourced produce as possible, we're proud of our cafés and tearooms. And we know they are an important part of your visit.

Here are some of our favourite cafés and tearooms around the country.

Northern England

  • Rievaulx Abbey, North Yorkshire

    There’s food for the soul as well as the body in the new tearoom at Rievaulx Abbey. Huge windows look out across the grounds so it’s the perfect place to sit and contemplate with views of the ruins while enjoying a tasty treat.

  • Chesters Roman Fort and Museum - Hadrian's Wall, Northumberland

    One of the best tearooms along Hadrian’s Wall, in our opinion, has to be at Chesters Roman Fort. It serves locally inspired and sourced refreshments and has plenty of space outside for views of the Clayton Museum.

  • Brodsworth Hall and Gardens, South Yorkshire

    The Garden Tearooms serve high quality Yorkshire food using the best local, fresh ingredients. We offer a children's selection on the menu and can cater for groups. In fine weather, you can enjoy the tranquillity of the hall from the Tea Terrace.

  • Scarborough Castle, North Yorkshire

    The seasonal Master Gunner’s Tearoom offers breathtaking views of the majestic Yorkshire coastline. It serves good quality, freshly produced local food such as freshly made sandwiches and a delicious range of cakes, hot and cold drinks.

  • Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens, Northumberland

    The Belsay Hall Tearoom can be found in the hall's original kitchen. The cheese and herb scones are particularly popular, as are our hot meat stotties. And it wouldn't be café without a good selection of cakes - ours are made to tasty traditional recipes.

South West

  • Pendennis Castle, Cornwall

    Head to the Barrack Block for views of the castle keep and the sea beyond, as you tuck into some locally-sourced goodies. With Cornish pasties, cakes, scones (with proper clotted cream) and regular specials, there is plenty to tempt you.

  • Stonehenge, Wiltshire

    Don't miss the light and airy café at the Stonehenge visitor centre. With seating inside and outside, try our famous Rock Cakes - made from scratch in the café. You can also enjoy many items from some of the South West’s finest producers.

  • Tintagel Castle, Cornwall

    The Beach Café has plenty of local specialities to try including fish and chips, crab sandwiches and Cornish Rarebit made with Yarg cheese. The cream teas are legendary, and children’s meals come in a bucket and spade - handy for the beach!

Midlands and East

  • Framlingham Castle, Suffolk

    Sample Tudor life by trying Tudor inspired dishes in our new café. Try the savory 'Tarte Owte of Lent' or traditional pottage as well as more modern cafe classics. You'll find it in the Poorhouse along with the new exhibition space.

  • Audley End House and Gardens, Essex

    There are two cafés - Cart Yard Café next to the Walled Organic Kitchen Garden, and the Servants' Hall Tearoom where we serve a menu full of locally sourced light bites. If you give us 48hrs notice, you can pre-order a picnic from our tearoom too.

  • Bolsover Castle, Derbyshire

    We go back in time for inspiration in the Bolsover tearoom with cakes based on historical recipes, and specials which change with the seasons. The café overlooks the playground, so you can keep an eye on the kids while you take a break.

  • Kenilworth Castle and Elizabethan Garden, Warwickshire

    Located in the timber-beamed Tudor stables, Kenilworth's café serves up soup, cakes and a light lunch special made from local, seasonal ingredients. There's seating indoors and outside, and the castle's exhibition is in the same building.

  • Wrest Park, Bedfordshire

    You’ll find the café in the Walled Garden. Sample the local speciality - the Bedfordshire 'Clanger', or tuck into some homemade soup and freshly made sandwiches.

London and the South East

  • 1066 Battle of Hastings, Abbey and Battlefield, East Sussex

    We use locally sourced meat, bread and cheese wherever possible in the Battle Abbey café, and when it's in season we pick wild garlic from the grounds to use in our soups and garlic butter.

  • Dover Castle, Kent

    You have several options – the Great Tower Café, the Secret Wartime Tunnels Tearoom, the NAAFI Restaurant and an ice-cream parlour. Everything is locally sourced including our meat, drinks and ice creams. We accept Euros too.

  • Osborne, Isle of Wight

    Whether you fancy an ice cream on the beach or a sit-down meal in the Terrace Restaurant, you’ll be spoiled for choice at Osborne. There’s also the Petty Officers' Quarters Café in the visitor centre and Gazelle House in the Swiss Cottage gardens.

  • Eltham Palace and Gardens, Greenwich, London

    Our brand new café is located in the visitor centre at Eltham Palace. Enjoy a tasty lunch or quick afternoon treat while you keep an eye on the kids – the tearoom has views out onto the outdoor play area.

  • Walmer Castle and Gardens, Kent

    See where we grow fruit and vegetables in Walmer Castle’s organic kitchen gardens, and then have a taste in The Lord Warden’s Tearoom. We grow as much as we can and all our other food is locally sourced. Try our homemade lemonade and ginger beer.

  • Carisbrooke Castle, Isle of Wight

    Above a former carriage room is Carisbrooke’s delightful tearoom. Sit back and relax as you enjoy a selection of locally produced hot and cold food and drinks.

  • Home of Charles Darwin, Down House, Kent

    You’ll feel at home in the Down House tearoom: it’s in the old kitchen. Serving salads from our own garden (in season) and Scotch fruit cake made from one of Emma Darwin’s recipes, there are other locally sourced items to try including Kentish huffkins.

  • Kenwood, London

    Before marvelling at Kenwood’s world-class art collection, grab a coffee at one of Hampstead Heath’s most popular cafés. The Brew House Café and the Steward's Room are in the old service wing, serving hot breakfasts from 9am and lunch from noon.

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