Tea for you and me

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Tag Archives: Marlborough


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Wilton Windmill

Wilton, near Marlborough, Wiltshire

R and tea and the glorious Wilton Windmill

R and tea and the glorious Wilton Windmill

I was very excited to get to Wilton Windmill. We’d driven past the brown sign advertising it on the way to visit other tea places in Marlborough and attempted to get to it but taken a wrong turning and given up. It’s a good thing that we didn’t find it when we tried as the mill is only open for visitors on Sundays 2-5pm.

We went back on this Sunday just to go to the windmill. You can wander round the outside and the lower floor for free or pay for a guided tour up inside. We paid and it was well worth it. It still works and you can buy flour that has been ground in the mill.

When we arrived I walked round trying to work out where the best place would be to take a photo of tea with the mill in the background. The picnic tables were my first choice but the sails were on the other side of the tower to the picnic tables so I couldn’t get it all in one shot. Oh well, I thought, I’ll take two photos.

Inside the mill we learnt that the cap (the white bit on top) is on rollers and turns round automatically to face the wind. We were assured that it wouldn’t move as it wasn’t windy enough, but when we were up there things started rumbling and slowly cogs and beams moved round as we were listening to the guide, visitors ducking when one came to near to them, sails swooping past windows. When we emerged from the darkness of the mill it was glorious sunshine and the sails had moved to align themselves so I could take the perfect photo. Sails and tea all in one shot.

Teapot? No.
Leaf tea? Teabag in a mug, with a spoon to fish it out when you want.
Milk jug? Yes, big one.
Price? An amazing 80p per mug.
Cake? Some wrapped biscuits but you can also buy flour, bookmarks, posters, tea towels, aprons and postcards of the windmill.
Go again? Yes.


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St Peter’s Coffee Shop

St Peter’s Church, High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1HQ

01672 511453

The outside view of St Peter's Church

The outside view of St Peter's Church

Firstly, thanks must go to Sean Wilson who commented on my review of The Polly Tearooms to recommend this cafe at the end of Marlborough High Street.

This church is now used as a cafe and craft shop, and the setting is incredible. Sitting in a church drinking tea and looking up at the stained glass windows and soaring arches was a calming and peaceful experience. They also sell sandwiches and basic meals including fry-ups and things with chips. Eating cheesy chips in church had a nice alliteration to it.

The craft shop inside sells high quality reasonably priced local work and is worth a look. It also sells tea, from The Wiltshire Tea Company. I bought a packet of ‘Earl Grey Lady Blue’ which is a flavour I hadn’t seen before. I haven’t tried it yet but it smells good.

Tea at St Peter's Church Coffee Shop

Tea at St Peter's Church Coffee Shop

There were also tours of the tower on the day we went, but it was such a windy day we decided to do that another day.

All in all a good place to go for tea.

Teapot? Yes and a pot of hot water.
Leaf tea? Teabag.
Milk jug? Yes.
Price? £2.40 for a pot of tea for two (£1.40 for a pot of tea for one).
Cake? Yes.
Go again? Yes.



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The Polly Tearooms, Marlborough

27 High Street, Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1LW

The cakes at The Polly Tearooms

The cakes at The Polly Tearooms

The photo here isn’t doing the large array of cakes and scones justice. Or the table full of Winnie the Pooh style pots of jam. The Polly Tearooms is an old fashioned, bay windowed place that was established in 1932 by two women, one of whom was one of the original suffragettes. D recommended this tearoom and we made a special trip to visit it. It was more than worth it and I’m going to go again before the month is out.

I had ‘English Plantation Tea’ which I had never heard of before and was listed on the menu with the fruit teas. I asked if it was a black tea and the waitress went to find out. She came back and said nobody knew what it was made of, but it was served with milk. I took a chance and ordered it. It was a smooth and tasty black tea. I kept the teabag label and googled the name on it: Tregothnan. It turns out it’s a company who have their own tea plantation in Kent and Cornwall! Now the name makes perfect sense. It’s not open for visitors yet, but when it is I’ll be there.

Tea at The Polly Tearooms

Tea at The Polly Tearooms

D had treacle and ginger cake (sounds an odd combination but works wonderfully) and I had a fruit scone. The scone was fresh and light and the jam was succulent.

Next time I visit I’ll make sure I’ve got more of an appetite and will try the cream tea.

Teapot? Yes and a pot of hot water.
Leaf tea? Teabag.
Milk jug? Yes.
Price? About £1.60.
Cake? Yes and lots of it!
Go again? As soon as possible.