Cotswolds Garden Tearooms, Stow-on-the-Wold

Now, this gorgeous cream tea experience was helped greatly by a beautiful spring day and a refreshing walk around the countryside so you may need to take this into account. But nevertheless, I think anyone would enjoy the traditional cream tea on offer at the Cotswolds Gareden Tearooms in Stow-on-the-wold.

It was lovely and quiet when we went in and even though it was quite late in the day, there was still a nice smell of baking about the place. We sat in the front room with the fireplace but there is also a back room with a view of the courtyard which looks lovely for summer days.

We knew what we were there for and so didn't spend too long looking over the menu but can assure you that there were plenty of offerings for a home-cooked lunch and plenty of mouthwatering cakes on offer.

I was pleasantly surprised to find that plain scones were standard. So take note if you, like my companion, prefer the fruit variety. But to my mind, it's just not right! I would also add that the staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming and made you feel like nothing was too much trouble.

I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed the cream tea as the scone was warm, fresh and absolutely delicious. Moist and yet firm enough not to fall apart. The accompaniments were jam, clotted cream as well as fresh butter. There was certainly enough to keep you going. My only criticism would be that the jam did not seem to match the quality of the rest of the tea. It was a little weak tasting and could have done with a bit more flavour.

If you are interested, you can also stay at the Cotsolds Garden and I heard a couple arranging to stay and again, the staff were incredibly helpful. If you do stay, let me know what it's like as I would love to know!

Tea and cake at the Orchard Tea Garden, Granchester, Cambridge

Now, I must confess that due to time restrictions a cream tea was not an option as we popped into the Tea Garden in Granchester but I do promise that this will be on the cards for another trip. Happy to fulfill my duties to you there!

But I didn't think there was anything to stop me adding in a little quicky review in case you wondered what a bit of Victoria sponge was like at one of the most idyllic spots in the Cambridge area :)

Firstly, I would recommend going on a nice day as it was raining when we went and this means sitting inside. Such a waste! I'll include a photo courtesy of their website so that you get an idea of the beauty of the actual gardens.


We had a view of the gardens through the rain drenched windows - but that's not their fault! And there was something slightly charming about that.

The inside does not really do the place justice that said. It's a bit old-fashioned but not in what I would call a good way. Just feels like it could do with a little more imagination. As my friend commented, they may feel the gardens are enough, but I just feel it could be a bit more cosy. My other small criticism would be that - on the basis of a few visits now - I have never found the staff to really connect with you at all. Not sure what I mean by that really as they are certainly never rude but there is a slight distance in their manner. Which is odd seeing as it must be someone different everytime.

But there is no doubting that the cake there is superb. I had a piece of Victoria sponge (double layer) and my companion tried the cappucino cake. I have to say, it was moist, filling and totally delicious. The tea was also plentiful to wash it all down.

All in all, it was so filling I struggled to fit in anything to eat later on that evening so I must say that approximately £4 for a bit of afternoon refreshment is pretty reasonable.