Category: England

Classic British Pub Dining at St Stephen’s Tavern, Westminster

St Stephen’s Tavern is a historic Victorian pub that has been part of Westminster’s landscape since 1875. Filled with old-world charm and traditional character, it enjoys one of the best locations in London, sitting directly opposite the iconic Big Ben.

The pub has two floors as well as a terrace. We dined on the first floor, where the tables were quite small and the seating area felt a little snug. The short stools were not the most comfortable for a long meal. Service was friendly and attentive throughout our visit.

Given its prime tourist location, I was initially a little skeptical about the food, but I was pleasantly surprised. The menu features classic pub favourites, from fish and chips to hearty pies and burgers, along with a small selection of plant-based and vegetarian options.

We ordered the Salt & Vinegar Battered Fish & Chips, which came as a generous portion. The fish had a lovely golden, crispy batter that was not overly greasy, while the fries were well fried and satisfying. The fish itself was moist, tender, and cooked perfectly.

We also tried the Roasted Butternut Squash & Coconut Curry, served with rice, mango chutney, raita, and a poppadom. I was not expecting to find such a flavourful curry in a traditional pub, but this dish was surprisingly delicious. The sweetness of the butternut squash balanced beautifully with the gentle heat of the curry, creating a dish with depth and warmth.

Overall, St Stephen’s Tavern was a pleasant surprise. Despite its touristy location, the food was good, the service was friendly, and the historic atmosphere made it an enjoyable place to have a classic British pub meal.

St Stephen’s Tavern

10 Bridge St, London SW1A 2JR, United Kingdom

A Taste of the Cotswolds: Our Breakfast Experience at The Lamb Inn

The Lamb Inn is a charming 15th-century inn tucked away on a quiet corner of Sheep Street in the beautiful historic market town of Burford. With its honey-colored Cotswold stone walls, low wooden beams, and centuries-old character, it is exactly what you imagine a traditional English inn to be—warm, cozy, and full of history. The inn also has a stunning courtyard and walled garden, creating a beautiful setting for al fresco dining on warmer days.

We stayed here for one night, and it was the perfect place to experience the quiet charm of the Cotswolds.

Breakfast was a lovely start to the morning. There was a small buffet with juice, croissants, and yogurt, while hot dishes were cooked to order from the menu. The inn uses St. Ewe’s award-winning free-range eggs, which were featured in several dishes. The breakfast menu wasn’t extensive, but every dish felt thoughtfully put together, proving that a smaller menu can often mean greater attention to quality.

We ordered the Full Healthy, which featured Porter smoked salmon, smashed avocado, perfectly poached St. Ewe’s eggs, and toasted sourdough. It was fresh, light, and satisfying, with the rich smoked salmon pairing beautifully with the creamy avocado and runny egg yolks.

The Vegetarian Breakfast was equally enjoyable, with St. Ewe’s eggs, a veggie sausage, crispy hash browns, vine-roasted tomatoes, avocado, flat mushrooms, baked beans, and toasted Wildfarmed sourdough. It was colourful, hearty, and packed with flavour without feeling overly heavy.

The standout savoury dish was the Red Pepper Shakshuka served with preserved lemon salsa verde and sourdough toast. The tomato and pepper sauce had wonderful depth of flavour, rich and gently spiced, while the preserved lemon salsa verde added a bright, citrusy freshness that lifted the entire dish.

Of course, we couldn’t resist trying something sweet as well.

We tried the Banana Bread with whipped Illy espresso mascarpone and the Crème Brûlée French Toast with seasonal berries. The Banana Bread came with whipped Illy espresso mascarpone, adding a subtle coffee flavour that complemented the sweetness of the banana without overpowering it. The French toast was soft, fluffy, and custardy inside, with beautifully caramelised crispy edges and a lovely hint of vanilla.

Overall, The Lamb Inn was a delightful stay. Beyond its historic charm and beautiful garden setting, it offered a warm atmosphere and a breakfast that showed real care in both ingredients and preparation.

The Lamb Inn

Sheep St, Burford OX18 4LR, United Kingdom

Turf Tavern: A Historic Oxford Pub Hidden Down a Secret Passageway

Dating back to 1381, Turf Tavern is one of Oxford’s most famous historic pubs. Hidden away down the narrow St Helen’s Passage, just beyond the Hertford Bridge, finding it feels like discovering a secret. Walking through the narrow alleyway adds a sense of mystery and adventure.

We visited during dinner time, and the place was buzzing. The outdoor seating area was completely packed, with people enjoying drinks and meals in the courtyard. Inside, the décor was exactly what you’d expect from a traditional English pub—warm, rustic, and full of character. There was plenty of indoor seating as well as the outdoor area.

The menu features classic British pub fare, including Fish & Chips, Sausage & Mash, and burgers. There’s also a Sunday Roast menu available on Sundays, along with a gluten-free menu.

Ordering is straightforward—you place both your food and drink orders at the bar. Drinks are served immediately, while the food is brought to your table.

We ordered the Sea Bream, Mussels & Chorizo, served with a creamy white wine and garlic sauce alongside warm ciabatta. The sea bream was fresh, tender, and well-cooked, while the sauce was creamy, flavorful, and perfect with the bread.

The Chicken & Bacon Burger came with a breaded chicken breast, melted West Country mature cheddar, smoked streaky bacon, chipotle mayo, seasoned fries, onion rings, and a gherkin. The burger was decent, although the chicken was slightly tough and chewy. The fries, however, were excellent—crispy and well-seasoned.

The Fish & Chips was decent, with a nice crunch from the batter and flavorful mushy peas. Unfortunately, the batter was a little over-fried, and the fish was slightly dry, with some parts being tougher than expected.

Overall, while the food was a little inconsistent, visiting Turf Tavern was still a memorable experience. English pubs are such an important part of British culture, and sitting in this historic pub tucked away in a hidden corner of Oxford had a certain charm that made the visit worthwhile.

Turn Tavern

4 Bath Pl, Oxford OX1 3SU, United Kingdom

Breakfast in the Harry Potter-Inspired Great Hall at Christ Church, Oxford

Anyone who has watched the Harry Potter films will immediately recognize the Great Hall at Christ Church, Oxford, which famously served as the inspiration for Hogwarts’ iconic dining hall.

Only guests staying at Christ Church’s B&B accommodation have the opportunity to enjoy breakfast in the Great Hall, making it one of the most unique ways to experience this historic space.

Originally built in the 1520s as part of the college founded by Henry VIII, the hall is steeped in history. Before entering, you’ll climb the elegant stone staircase with its beautiful fan-vaulted ceiling. Walking through the doorway into the Great Hall is breathtaking. The magnificent hammerbeam roof, towering stained-glass windows, and walls lined with portraits of notable members of the university make it feel as though you’ve stepped back several centuries.

Breakfast itself was a classic English buffet with cereals, fresh fruit, toast and croissants, coffee and tea, along with hot items including baked beans, sausages, ham, eggs, hash browns, mushrooms, and porridge. The food itself was decent, but that hardly mattered.

The real highlight was the setting. Sitting in one of Oxford’s most historic dining halls, surrounded by centuries of history and the atmosphere that inspired Hogwarts, transformed an ordinary breakfast into something truly memorable. It wasn’t so much about the food—it was about the experience. For any Harry Potter fan or history lover, it felt nothing short of magical.

The Great Dining Hall

Oxford OX1 1DP, United Kingdom

A Quintessential English Afternoon Tea at The Old Parsonage Hotel

I visited The Old Parsonage Hotel for afternoon tea, a renowned Oxford institution whose history dates back to 1660. Located just a 10–15 minute walk from Oxford city centre, the hotel is tucked away on Banbury Road, offering a quieter setting away from the bustling streets.

The building itself is beautiful, with a well-preserved façade and its original 17th-century heavy oak front door still welcoming guests today. Stepping inside feels like entering a classic English country house. The interior is tastefully decorated with artwork, plush velvet armchairs, dark accent walls, and elegant wooden furnishings, creating a cosy, intimate atmosphere that feels quintessentially English.

I had originally hoped to sit on the terrace, but it was an exceptionally warm summer day, so we chose a table indoors instead.

Afternoon tea is served daily from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm. A gluten-free option is available with advance notice. We ordered the Very High Tea, priced at £38 per person, including one gluten-free set. It came with a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade miniature cakes, plain and fruit scones served with clotted cream and preserves, and a choice of tea or coffee.

The bottom tier featured an assortment of finger sandwiches: cucumber with cream cheese, chicken and tarragon, smoked salmon, honey-baked ham with mustard, and egg mayonnaise with cress.

The middle tier consisted of freshly baked plain and fruit scones served with strawberry jam and rich clotted cream.

The gluten-free top tier included carrot cake, fruit cake, brownie, and orange posset, while the regular version featured a coffee choux bun, lemon drizzle cake, salted caramel brownie, vanilla cheesecake, and orange posset.

The finger sandwiches were enjoyable, although none particularly stood out. The scones were light, flaky, and buttery. The miniature cakes were the highlight. Each was thoughtfully prepared, with a good variety of flavours and textures. The orange posset was wonderfully smooth and refreshing, while the brownie was rich without being overly sweet. My favourite was the fruit cake—it was wonderfully moist and delightfully chewy, packed with dried fruits that gave it plenty of flavour and texture without being overly sweet.

Overall, I enjoyed the experience. While the food was very good, what made the afternoon truly memorable was the setting.

Old Parsonage Hotel


1-3 Banbury Rd, Oxford OX2 6NN, United Kingdom

Taking a Tea Break at Bath’s Historic Bath Bun Tea Shop

Nestled in the picturesque Abbey Green, The Bath Bun Tea Shop is a charming spot to pause while exploring the historic city of Bath. The menu includes a good selection of teas, coffees, cakes, and desserts, alongside a full breakfast and lunch menu. When we visited, a street performer was entertaining the crowd in the square, creating a peaceful atmosphere with a free live performance. Although there was a queue when we arrived, it moved quickly and we were soon seated in the outdoor area. The staff were also warm and attentive, greeting everyone with a smile and providing excellent service.

We were meeting a few local friends, and they recommended this café as a must-visit. It was a hot summer’s day, so sitting beneath the shade of the trees was a welcome respite from the heat.

The café is best known as the home of the original Bath Bun, a local specialty whose origins date back to 1761. The Bath Bun is a lightly sweetened bun topped with sugar cubes and currants, and it has remained a Bath tradition ever since.

Our friends joked that trying a Bath Bun was a bit of a touristy thing to do, but since it was our first visit to Bath, we felt it was only right to try the city’s most famous pastry. We ordered one served with chocolate ice cream and another with clotted cream and jam. The bun itself tasted like a soft, lightly sweetened bread—pleasant, but not dramatically different from other sweet buns I’ve had. However, it paired beautifully with the café’s selection of teas, and the clotted cream and jam made for a delicious accompaniment.

With its lovely location on Abbey Green, shaded outdoor seating, and relaxed atmosphere, it’s an ideal place to escape the crowds, enjoy a leisurely cup of tea, and take a break before continuing to explore Bath.

The Bath Bun

2A Abbey Grn, Bath BA1 1NW, United Kingdom

Breakfast at Cornish Bakery: A Morning by the Roman Baths

One of my breakfast stops in Bath was Cornish Bakery, conveniently located just next to the Roman Baths. With tempting display of Cornish pasties, croissants, and an assortment of viennoiseries. It’s the perfect place to grab breakfast before exploring the city.

For breakfast, I ordered an oat milk flat white, a sausage roll, and a traditional Cornish pasty.

The sausage roll was the highlight of the meal. The pastry was beautifully flaky and buttery, while the sausage filling was juicy, well-seasoned, and full of flavor. It was simple but done very well.

The traditional Cornish pasty, however, was a little underwhelming. Although it was generously filled, I found the seasoning rather mild, making it taste somewhat bland. The crust was also quite thick, which made it feel a little too heavy for my taste.

To accompany the meal, I had an oat milk flat white, which was smooth and well-balanced. It paired nicely with the pastries.

Overall, it’s a convenient bakery in an excellent location, especially if you’re looking for a quick breakfast before visiting the Roman Baths.

Cornish Bakery

7 Abbey Churchyard, Bath BA1 1LY, United Kingdom