Afternoon tea in the Cotswolds

Here is a link to an article about good places for afternoon tea with suggestions of 12 good places to enjoy afternoon tea in the Cotswolds.

Some of these tearooms listed are a little further south in the Cotswolds but there are plenty within easy reach. The tearooms listed in Moreton in Marsh, Stow on the Wold and Chipping Campden are those most local to us, at our rental cottage in Ilmington. (www.houfy.com/1016)

There are, of course, many more.  I would also recommend most of the National Trust Houses' tearooms.  What they frequently lack in atmosphere (their cafés and tearooms are often add-ons or housed in outbuildings) they gain in the homemade quality  of their cakes and biscuits, usually sourced locally and made with local ingredients.  Each house seems to draw from a different supplier or chef and just when you thought you had eaten the most delicious cake possible, you discover something even better!

And then there are the cafés and tearooms which serve seasonal specialities like the scrumptious lavender shortbread served in the café of the Snowshill Lavender fields in the summer.  You will encounter rich fruit Christmas cake at the appropriate season (and mince pies of course!) and everywhere, a choice of teas and coffees.

For an extra special tea you could try the Orangery at Blenheim Palace but note at certain times of year, e.g. at the time of the Christmas illuminations, it is necessary to book in advance.