Top 10 Cafe's and Tea Rooms in Northampton
Northampton has many lovely tea rooms, cafes and restaurants you may wish to visit to enjoy a good cup of tea. To help you choose here are 10 of the most popular!
If there is one thing that us Brits are usually associated with is- tea. However, we are a country of tea (and coffee drinkers). At Home Instead Northampton we understand the power of a good cuppa. Not only can a cup of tea, maybe with a biscuit, put the world right when you’re not having a great day, or help you wake and prepare for the day, but they can also do so much more. To sit and have a cup of tea, for some, is a part of their daily routine. A fundamental part of the day, and if this were not to happen it may set their day the wrong way.
To sit and have a cup of tea with someone, however, can also be something special. It can be a bit of time for bonding and building relationships. It can be some much-needed company, and socialising. Enjoying a cuppa and a chat, can change someone’s day entirely. It can make you feel cared for, valued, and listened to. A cuppa and a chat can lead to some meaningful conversations, where you may feel safe to open up and gain some emotional support too.
In Northampton there are many tea rooms, cafes, coffee shops and restaurants where you can get a nice cup of tea and maybe a sweet treat to go along side it. Below are ten of Northampton’s most popular and recommended cafes and tea rooms.
THE DINING ROOM
The Dining Room is located at 78 Derngate in Northampton Town Centre. It is an independent business within the Rennie Mackintosh House and Galleries. The Dining Room offers a range of sandwiches and lunch choices, which are beautifully presented. They also have Afternoon Teas which are spectacular. To book an Afternoon Tea, although it is essential to book in advance where everything is made fresh. There are even options to have the Afternoon Tea with Pimms or Prosecco. The Dining Room is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm. Before or after you enjoy the delicious food, you can also visit the Rennie Mackintosh House and Galleries. This is where Charles Rennie Mackintosh famously re-modelled 78 Derngate in 1916 for W J Bassett-Lowke. It is now, a home where Mackintosh’s work is preserved and displayed. There are several stairs to go up and down- but the works are beautiful. To find out more please follow the link below:
LAWRENCE’S
Lawrence’s is another treasure to be found on St Giles Street in Northampton’s Town Centre. Lawrence’s has a vast history which goes back to 1864 where Lawrence’s Bakery was opened serving the people of Northampton for over 100 years until Oliver Adams took over in 1965. Sadly, it then closed in 2017. This year, two local landlords decided it was time to revive the much-loved café. The new owners have endeavoured to preserve the charm of the old Lawrences, including the warm and friendly service. They have even acquired the recipes to much loved Cheesecake and Lemon Meringue Pie which were firm favourites back in the day. To hold on to and celebrate the past, Lawrence’s also has a collection of Northampton memorabilia including old photos, bottles from the original Phipps Brewery, and much more. It is a place that has all the charm of the past with a love and celebration of the town it is located in. For more information, please visit the below link for the café’s social media page:
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=135738326471866&wtsid=rdr_0BlE3tFFKbqqBF0IA&_rdr
GEORGE’S TEA ROOM
George’s Tea Room is an undisputed hidden gem in the heart of Northampton Town Centre. Where the Tea Room is an almost hidden away, it provides a calm and peaceful atmosphere with delicious treats and amazing hospitality. With locally produced produce such as Yellow Bourbon Coffee and The Good Loaf bread. The jewel to the crown of this treasured café, however, is it’s ‘secret garden’. A beautiful haven that you would not expect, with a water fountain that is surrounded by flowers and greenery that will make you question that you are in Town Centre.
George’s Tea Room is located inside of Northampton’s County Club, on George’s Row close to All Saint’s Church. To find it, you need to go through the door of the Northampton and County Club and if you reach a water fountain surrounded with flowers then you’re in the right place.
The Team Room is open Monday to Saturday between 10am-3pm. To find out more please follow the link below:
THE SHED
The Shed is located within the Billing Centre Garden Village. It is a traditional family friendly café, that serves a large range of meals. Alongside this is a wide selection of teas, coffees, drinks, and home-made cakes that are sure to please. With the choice of indoor or outdoor seating and some stellar service it is sure to be a lovely visit- even if the rain drives you inside! Then, once you’ve satisfied your sweet tooth with some delicious cake, you could then browse some of the other independent shops within the village. These include: a pottery studio, a cards and gifts shop, a book shop, florist, pet shop, and much more. Of course, there is then the Garden Centre itself where you can go and see some lovely plants and flowers and maybe purchase a few items for your home and garden for the summer. Below is a link to their social media page for more information:
CAFÉ 1850
Café 1850 is another hidden gem in Northampton. Located on the site of Northampton Cathedral in the former coach house, the café is a surprising oasis in this busy area. Their promise is simple- to provide all visitors with great coffee, delicious food, and a warm welcome. While the café only opened in September 2021, it has established itself as one of the top-rated cafes in the area.
With seating both inside and overlooking the Cathedral’s Healing Garden it is a beautiful setting for enjoying a cuppa with a cake or a light lunch. Of course, they also offer the ultimate quintessentially British treat- the afternoon tea which is always a firm favourite. The café uses a range of local suppliers including The Little Bakery of Happiness, Yellow Bourbon Coffee, Houghton Hams, Booker and Adams Apple. They also accommodate a wide range of dietary needs from coeliac to vegan and dairy free. For more information, please follow the link below:
DOBBIES GARDEN CENTRE
Always a firm favourite with our clients, Dobbies Garden Centre on Newport Pagnel Road (NN4 6HP) is more than just a Garden Centre. Within Dobbies is also a lovely Café where you can be treated to tea, cakes, light lunch, or a full meal. You can even have a traditional afternoon tea for £13.50. While you are there you may also want to browse the centre for it’s flowers, plants, garden accessories, homeware, and gifts. Alongside this you may also be interested in their free Grow How demonstrations that take place on the first Saturday of every month at 1030am. This offers an interactive opportunity to learn from some horticultural experts and either learn some new skills or perfect existing skills. Please see the link below for more information and opening times:
THE LOFT
On Moulton High Street, opposite Moulton Pharmacy, you can find a lovely café and bar- The Loft. In an ideal location within the growing village, The Loft uses local produce such as Yellow Bourbon Coffee Roasters, and Gluten Free cakes supplied by Clare’s Cakery and Nat’s Kitchen. The café has a cosy atmosphere and charm to it, with a delicious selection of tea, mouth-watering homemade cakes, snacks, and light meals. It is also an avid promotor of locally made art, homeware, and garden accessories- so you may leave with more than a full belly from sweet treats. As a testament to their popularity The Loft has also been nominated for ‘Best New Business’ in Northampton. This could be simply down to the charm, superb service, or sumptuous food. It could also be attributed to the little touches that make all the difference. For example, the pet friendly café has a dog treat jar on the counter for four legged friends, there are a selection of colouring book and pencil cases for children, there is Wi-Fi and plugs for charging if you’d like to complete some work there. The café is open Tuesday-Saturday between 9am and 4pm. For more information, please follow the link below:
APOTHOCOFFEE
In Earls Barton, most of the locals will recommend in a heartbeat for you to go to Apothocoffee. The Apothocoffee Shop is in the heart of Jeyes of Earls Barton. We are a popular and welcoming space offering five different dining areas. There is a wide range of choice including breakfasts, sweet and savoury treats, homemade lunches, afternoon tea, and homemade cakes. If you like a tipple or two, you may even want to try a glass of prosecco, locally made wine, ciders, and ales.
It is family friendly, and caters for all tastes, budgets, and allergies. There is the Evergreen Courtyard or the Moongate Garden where you can sit an enjoy the sun. There is also a traditional Shepards hut and Wendy House where children can play. They are open Monday – Saturday 9am to 5pm. They are closed Sundays.
Once you finish enjoying your time in the sun, you may then want to visit one of the local shops. These include a local butcher and some lovely home and gift shops. There is also a park, where you could enjoy a lovely walk. To find out more please follow the link below:
http://www.jeyesofearlsbarton.co.uk/the-apothocoffee-shop/
BECKWORTH EMPORIUM
Beckworth Emporium is always a hit when visited. The restaurant within offers an array of meal options that is sure to please even the fussiest of eaters. With a friendly, warm, helpful and accommodating service, the beautiful glasshouse restaurant is rarely empty. It is a location where many like to go to celebrate special occasions, enjoy an afternoon tea or even a celebratory breakfast. Of course, Beckworth Emporium is not just it’s lovely restaurant but also the locally sourced farm shop full of cakes, cheese, sweets, fruit, vegetables, drinks and so much more. There is also a wide range of plants, garden and home accessories, gifts and more to browse. In the winter months, the outdoors garden area is also cleared and instead of greenery you may find an ice rink instead. This is always extremely popular. For some they like to just sit and watch, reminiscing on days where they may have skated, others look forward to their traditional visits to skate on the Christmas ice rink. Please follow the link below for the restaurant’s website:
ABINGTON PARK CAFÉ
Abington Park is one of Northampton’s most visited locations. Not only is it home to a play area for families, two lakes with plenty of wildlife, but it is also home to the popular Abington Park Café. Located on the smaller side of the park, close to the historic Bandstand the café offers seating both indoors and outdoors. The Café offers a wide range of meal options, from a full meal, a light lunch, to a sweet treat or ice cream. It is family and pet friendly- and you will often find it a dog or two inside and outside enjoying a rest. During the summer, the café is the perfect spot to take a rest after a nice walk, or somewhere within good distance of the music played by local bands and groups during the summer months. Within walking distance of the café is the always popular bird walk, Abington Park Museum, rose and flower gardens, and a small Remembrance area with two beautifully crafted and designed benches more a moment of reflection. For more information, please visit the link below:
At Home Instead Northampton, we love to take our clients out and go to a café or tearoom for a cuppa, sweet treat, and a lovely chat. All our Care Professionals have Business Insurance on their vehicles which allows them to take clients to their choice of venue. Below are some of the most popular spots for a nice cup of tea, (or coffee), and maybe a sweet treat or two.
When our Care Professionals take their clients for a tea and sweet treat, they can find this really beneficial. For our clients, it is a chance to go out of their home and enjoy a drive, enjoy some scenery and companionship. For some, it can be the highlight of their week, which always means they will have a beaming smile- which means the world to us. What may seem to be something small, and simple, like a walk or a drive to a café, is actually so much more. It is socialising, it is a friendly face, it is companionship and understanding, it is feeling safe to go out as there is someone trusted and trained to support you, it is the ability to continue going out and doing and having the things you love.
For some, they may have a routine where they regularly go to a café and have a specific cake or sandwich. To be able to continue doing this, with some support, means that they are living the life that they want. This is what we, at Home Instead, strive for. We promote independence. We are the people that will find the way for you to continue living the life that you want to. If your goal is to go a café every Friday, have fish and chips followed by a slice of cake- then we will support you to achieve this.
Although a simple cup of tea, can seem a trivial, small part of the day it is a powerful thing. It is because of this that, at Home Instead Northampton, we believe knowing how our clients like their tea (or coffee) is very important. We even make sure these, small but very important details, are written in our clients Care Plans. After all, to sit and have a drink with our clients is one of our favourite things to do, especially when we are rewarded with the smiles and laughter of our clients.
