Tea in Cambridge

July 25, 2023

Clayton Hotel

27–29 Station Road • Cambridge CB1 2FB

claytonhotelcambridge.com • +44 1223 792 888

For visitors to Cambridge who arrive by train, Clayton Hotel is the first recommended tea venue they come to as they emerge from the railway station. The immediate areas around stations have often in the past been rather ugly, uneasy places, but a programme of dynamic refurbishment here has included the construction of residential blocks, bright new offices, and smart hotels, including the Clayton, which is located less than a minute’s walk from the station’s exit. The entrance lobby is light and modern and gives the impression of a library with one wall displaying shelves stacked with old leather-bound books—a subtle reminder that this town is serious about literature and other intellectual disciplines. A wide sweeping spiral staircase leads up to a smaller lobby area where more books line the walls, and crimson and elegantly striped armchairs and sofas promise a comfortable, relaxing hour or two while afternoon tea is served. Larger groups are accommodated in the brasserie-style restaurant on the ground floor.

Luxury and comfort come together at the Clayton Hotel. Photograph courtesy of Clayton Hotel.

Afternoon tea is served every day, and the menu changes through the year, offering something for everyone. First, order your pot of loose-leaf tea, then tuck into traditional finger sandwiches, warm scones with plenty of clotted cream and jam, and then be tempted by the very pretty selection of pastries and cakes. By the time you have eaten the last crumb of all these delicious treats, drunk the teapot dry, and possibly also sipped a cocktail or a glass of Prosecco or Champagne, you may feel the need for a gentle walk in the fresh air. All you have to do is step outside, cross the road, and you will come to the Cambridge University Botanic Garden, which is open all year. The heritage-listed garden was conceived by Charles Darwin’s mentor and tutor, Professor John Henslow, and today the 40-acre landscaped garden is home to a collection of 8,000 plant species. This is a wonderful place to walk off all those teatime calories.