The Apple Tree Tearooms

Apple Tree tea rooms were very accommodating with 2 groups of 40 people as our history society wanted somewhere to go following our tour of nearby St Mary's Church. We were able to reserve the entire tea room and were served delicious warm Scones, jam and cream with unlimited tea and coffee for a very reasonable price. Everyone enjoyed it. Would definitely come again.

We were the only ones in the cafe, and it was good to have the quiet atmosphere and it's location was very good. I dropped a star for service because the man behind the counter wasn't friendly, welcoming or gave any service but the lady, was the opposite, she was so apologetic that the placed closed 15 minutes ago and we hadn't realised. It closes at 4pm!! I had the soup and sandwich and they were very good. The cream tea looked excellent, with a choice of scones, which came warm, but a tiny pot of jam between 2 scones is too small. It would of been nicer to have a small dish with an amount from a jar and a spoon to make this perfect.

Having stumbled out of the West door of St. Mary's Church, in rather a dazed state after the bombardments of its infamously strident pipe organ, the need for refreshments led me just across the road to the Apple Tree Tearooms - the first tea room I spotted. With the need for those refreshments being so urgent, nearby alternatives were not considered, online reviews not read (perhaps a fortunate eventuality); it was a spontaneous visit. It was quite late in the afternoon and the tea room was mostly empty. Service was fairly prompt and polite, the cream tea very good, and the general experience much enhanced by the inclusion of a well-maintained garden to consume all of this. In fact, there are four distinct eating areas for different weather conditions: Enclosed street-side tables (of the continental type); indoor seating; outdoor seating at the rear, enclosed in a marquee-style structure, and the aforementioned garden. This rear area is mostly enclosed from nearby roads so is very quiet, although it is abutted by the New Street car park. The style of the tea rooms seems quite old-fashioned, despite the relatively modern furniture, and at the time of visit there was not much in the way of "atmosphere". Neither of those observations are necessarily negative, for some customers have already had an overdose of "atmosphere" elsewhere and wish to be treated to a truly "vanilla" experience; without the blaring of popular music, exposed electrical conduit everywhere you look, and waitresses whirling about on roller skates. So overall - this is a tea room which succeeds in the fundamentals you expect, and leaves out the frills and noise... perfect for those with ears still ringing from the "Trompeta Real" across the road!

I was going here quite regularly before the lockdown with my mum. We have missed our Saturday visits. We really like the tea room and the people who own it have always been friendly and helpful. We always enjoy the food which is freshly prepared to order. I particularly like the toasted cheese and red onion sandwich. There is lots of choice on the menu for lunches or tea with delicious cakes. The tearoom is spotlessly clean inside and in the summer there is a lovely garden to sit in at the back. We look forward to visiting again soon now that mum is able to go out again.