One of the UK’s most elegant cities, Bath offers the quintissential English travel experience, with historic architecture, beautiful countryside, and traditional cuisine. An essential part of any visit is to relish an English Afternoon Tea at the Pump Room.
This elegant 18th Century building where visitors including Jane Austen and Charles Dickens originally came to try the mineral rich bath waters, is now a landmark restaurant and one of the most sought-after places to enjoy a classic Afternoon Tea.
The Abbey Courtyard is at the heart of Bath, surrounded by the city’s most emblematic buildings including the of course the Abbey, the Roman Baths, and The Pump Room.
The Pump Room
Include a reservation here at The Pump Room in your city itinerary, and make some special memories with your loved ones, enjoying a generous afternoon tea, to the sounds of a trio of classical musicians.
The setting is so evocative with the crystal chandeliers, the loft ceilings and ornate plasterwork. There’s even the original pump, where you can still try the (filtered) mineral-rich waters.
The Menu
Yet the main reason to visit is of course the gourmet Afternoon Tea, served with finesse and refinement with fine bone China, and a towering cake stand laden with treats, as well as finger sandwiches, all to be enjoyed with loose-leaf tea.
To add some sparkle, enjoy a glass of champagne to begin a memorable afternoon. Begin this wondrous culinary ritual with elegant finger sandwiches of Whipped chive cream cheese and cucumber, Smoked salmon and caviar, Devilled egg and mustard cress, Ham, and mustard. Continue the indulgence with the Crushed pea and mint tarts, roast cherry tomato, Smoked Cheddar rarebit, and Coronation prawn cocktail.
Of course, no Afternoon Tea is complete without classic English scones. Here at The Pumop Room, you can savour homemade fruit and plain buttermilk scones, with authentic West Country clotted cream and jam.
History of Afternoon Tea
The elegant menu shares some storytelling, an insight into the probable origins of England’s legendary Afternoon Tea. The Pump Room believes the tradition was invented by ‘Anna Russell, 7th Duchess of Bedford and friend of Queen Victoria, who in 1840 to keep at bay that “sinking feeling” between lunch and a late evening meal would have a pot of Darjeeling tea, bread, butter, and biscuits brought to her quarters.
The Duchess soon began inviting friends to what became a fashionable social pastime among the upper classes.’
The team is welcoming and friendly, and the atmosphere is elegant yet relaxed. I enjoyed great afternoon in Bath!
Bath Information
For more information about the City of Bath, and to help plan your visit, we recommend using the Visit Bath website visitbath.co.uk and checking out our Eat Do Sleep guide to Bath.
Contact Details
Website: thepumproombath.co.uk
Address: The Pump Room, Stall Street, Bath
