Hello! Trying to focus my itinerary and was wondering if anyone could please help? If so, which of the following three places would you recommend as the best experience for Tea and why? The Orangery Kensington, the Pump Room Bath, the Jane Austen Center Bath? (Or is there is another i have overlooked?) Thank you!
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14815 posts
I went to the Jane Austen Center in Bath and altho I did not have tea there the Pump Room beats it hands down. The Jane Austen Center is in a cramped townhouse and not really as elegant as you would want it to be. In my mind it would be a place to stop for a cup of tea but not to actually ~have tea~ if you know what I mean.
BTW, the Jane Austen Center was a little overpriced in my mind for the level of exhibits they have.
Are you a Jane Austen or Regency era fan?
Posted by
OP
U.S.A
23 posts
Thank you Pam. Yes, I am a huge fan of Austen.
Posted by
Arlington, WA
993 posts
I totally agree with Pam. I thought the Jane Austen Centre was a waste of money. And case you're ever wondering so was Sally Lunns IMHO. Tea in the Pump Room was nice if a bit over-priced, but why wouldn't it be, beautiful setting, wonderful city. Whether or not it was a better experience than tea the Orangery, I think it's pretty much a toss-up. I like them both very much. Since they're in different cities you can do both?? A place "overlooked", The Assembly Rooms have a beautiful tea room, and should be on your list as a Jane Austen fan.
Posted by
Boston
4 posts
The only place I tried was the Pump Room, and it was wonderful. The quartet playing classical music added just the right touch of elegance! Visited October 2013.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14815 posts
You an also sample the waters in the Pump Room. Actually you can just wander in and do this if they aren't too busy. Everyone said it tasted really bad but I thought it tasted pretty good. To wander in, go in the door to the Roman Baths and head for the restroom. Then there is a short hallway that leads to the other side of the Pump Room. You can actually walk thru and the waters area is along this wall. It it is not busy stand around here for a few minutes and usually a waiter will come over and offer you a drink of the waters. You can keep going and exit near where the people seeing the Roman Baths exits.
I realize this is not your original question, but the JA Centre also does walking tours. That was not available on either of the days I had available so I went on a Highlights of Bath City Walk (not the free Mayors Walk but a paid guide) and it was wonderful! She covered a lot of JA related stuff and interestingly one of the JA walking guides was on the tour. He apparently teaches a guide course in Bath and was friends with the guide so we got even more JA/Regency stuff, lol.