Top 10 Lovely Places to Stop for a Cup of Tea

When you’re in need of a relaxing sit-down and some light refreshment during your Great West Way adventure, try one of these friendly places...

Bradford on Avon  
This pretty town makes a perfect 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 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.

Pewsey  
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 before you leave - their Wiltshire Lardy Cake is the stuff of legend. 

Marlborough
Thanks to its handy location on the route from London to Bristol, this ancient town 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. 

Bath 
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’s - soft, 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 shop frequented by hip locals - Colonna & Small’s, Society Café and Picnic Coffee are current favourites. 

Richmond upon Thames 
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 tarts - apparently 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. 

Castle Combe 
This atmospheric village 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, The Old Rectory takes being welcoming to new heights. The café is housed in the 15th-century home of the Roberts family. To mark a special occasion you can even book a private afternoon tea sitting and personal photo shoot with Anna Roberts, a photographer (advance booking is always required).

Goring-on-Thames and Streatley 
These two places 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. Over on the Streatley side, by the water, The Swan and its Boathouse Deli & Cafe are soon set to reopen after a much-anticipated refurb.  

Malmesbury
Head to the charming Wiltshire town of Malmesbury on the edge of the Cotswolds for a relaxed break along your Great West Way adventure. This lovely town has plenty of welcoming cafes, alongside many independent shops and the stunning 12th Century Abbey. For a posh, 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. 

Stonehenge and Avebury 
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.

Hungerford 
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 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 terrace - and a log burner inside for chilly days.

Tetbury 
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.

For more ideas of things to do on your Great West Way journey, visit our See & Do and Explore pages.