Do you love tearooms? I love tearooms. I used to have a dream of opening a tearoom, but my research revealed that tearoom owners don?t just sit around all day with their customers drinking tea, but that they actually work very, very, very hard. (It was a nice thought, anyway.)
The first tearoom in England opened in 1706. Though no longer a tearoom, tea is still sold there: Twinings, 216 Strand, London. Twinings Tea remains a family-run business, and they hold a Royal Warrant, meaning they supply goods to HM The Queen, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh or HRH The Prince of Wales. RoyalTEA, I suppose.
I have no idea how many tearooms there are in England (the term ?a lot? springs to mind), but for tea enthusiasts like me, the dilemma is usually: How do you know where to find a good tearoom when you fancy a cuppa?
Fortunately, Simon Duffin and Anita Volkert have already done the leg work and provided some answers. Their book, Fancy a Cuppa, lists 50 great places across the UK for tea* and cake ? each with a story to tell.
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Fancy a Cuppa is not a ?Top 50? collection of one individual?s favourite places for tea; I mean, face it ? we could all write a book like that. Instead, Fancy a Cuppa shares with its readers 50 places for tea in the UK that meet the following criteria:
1. Serves really good food and drink.
2. Located in a beautiful and/or historic location.
3. Has a story to tell, either about the history of the building itself or the philosophy and approach of the owners.
Now that is a tearoom guide worth reading!
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First things first
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At the front of the book, the Nifty Fifty are listed geographically, each with a brief 3-4 sentence ?teaser? of its unique quality. These descriptions are just enough to whet your appetite, leading you to delve further into the book. Here?s an example:
Arundal
Fancy a cuppa in this 16th century barn where tea has been served since the 1920s? -? a stone?s-throw from the picture-book medieval castle? The scones here are something special, and they let you choose whether it?s whipped or clotted cream?
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He said. She said.
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The tearooms are then listed by theme ? Best overall experience? Best story? Best cakes? Best view? Best building? etc etc etc ? with Simon sharing his choice, followed by Anita sharing hers. (Guess what? They don?t usually agree.) This is my favourite part of the book! It?s like being in a tearoom, eavesdropping on the conversation of the couple sat next to you. (Not that I ever do things like that.) *cough*
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The rest of the story
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The remaining hundred or so pages cover each tearoom entry in detail from the particulars (address, open hours, directions ? even parking tips) to the fascinating tales behind the owners, the building, and the setting. Colour photographs add to the enjoyment.
Apart from the engaging stories about owners and buildings, I was impressed with the number of tearoom owners who strive to locally source as much of their food as possible, and who offer home-baked cakes and bread. These are places worth supporting.
If you don?t have a particular need for the name of a good tearoom, or even if you don?t live in the UK, Fancy a Cuppa is still a worthwhile read. Like history? Learn about tearooms located in a former 15th c Tudor house, 16th c barn, and 18th c pub.? Foodie? Delight in distinctive menu offerings some tearooms provide: Lardy Cake, Pilchards on Toast, Maids of Honour, Molly Cake, and Yorkshire Parkin.
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Endorsement
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I have read dozens of tearoom guides over the years, but Fancy a Cuppa takes the cake. (Get it? ?Takes the cake.? Cake. Tea. You know, tea and cake. Right, forget it.) Seriously, I highly recommend?Fancy a Cuppa by Simon Duffin and Anita Volkert. It?s an excellent resource for tea lovers, day trippers, tourists ? or anyone searching for a decent cup of tea with a twist.
Be sure to visit the Fancy a Cuppa website where you can read more about the tearooms featured in this book.? Additionally, a new book covering tearooms in 80 UK Cathedral towns and cities is in the works. (There is also a Fancy a Cuppa US book.) Find Fancy a Cuppa tearoom tweets here: @FancyaCuppaNow
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*Fancy a Cuppa books also include recommendations for a good Cup of Joe (coffee).
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