Abbey Tea Rooms - Craven

This cafe/tea room in North Yorkshire is one of the best. I have visited several times and have always been impressed with the warm welcome, excellent service, and wide variety of food options from full meals to snacks. There is something for everyone and everything is cooked and presented perfectly. I highly recommend trying the filled baguettes as well as the homemade cakes and scones. The prices are very reasonable considering the quality and quantity of the food. Another bonus is the free parking available.

I’m embarrassed to say that these tea rooms were not actually our first choice for a lunch stop on our way to Harrogate. Luckily for us, our first choice was closed to walk ins as they were hosting a private function and we found Bolton Abbey Tea Rooms instead. We had a delicious lunch, served by friendly and efficient staff and chatted to a local man who eats here at least once every week. Highly recommended.

My review has two parts: our visit to the cafe, and what happened to spoil our visit. Firstly, we parked , and read the notice saying parking was just whilst customers were eating, which we thought was a bit off, but as we planned to visit the ruined abbey, didn’t particularly concern us. We very much enjoyed our filter coffees and a delicious toasted tea cake. While I was looking at the tourist leaflets, my husband crossed the road in search of a public car park, as we had no intention of outstaying our welcome in the cafe car park, and I then went across to show him one about Grassington being the set for Darrowby. Secondly, as I was about to do so, a man who had been grating lemon in the kitchen called out to us. He told us to leave their car park, shouting to us across the road ‘Hey Guys…’ and told us to leave. ‘ We’re going now,’ I replied, but told him that although we had very much enjoyed our food and drink, this rude shouting had spoilt the memory of what had been a pleasant visit. We left. However, very shortly we learnt the background to their policy, when we attempted to go to see the abbey, something we intended to complete within 20 minutes, before visiting the steam railway., we were absolutely shocked to read that it would set us back £15 to park for the abbey. I suppose if a family had decided to spend the entire day there, it would have been less shocking, but for a twenty minute quick look, it appalled us. I guess that the tea rooms have had a fair bit of trouble with customers parking in their car park to walk up to the abbey, so that new customers cannot park and patronise their tea room. The village badly needs a large free car park, but meanwhile, it would be preferable to avoid shouting at customers, telling them to leave promptly!

I was part of a 6 American contingent that visited your tea room on June 23. Our server, Haley, was wonderful in helping us experience our first scones. I promised to try scones across the UK, including a very posh London tea room, and I am pleased to report that after sampling over 12 scones in 9 days, the Abbey Tea Room won! Perfectly baked with a slight crunch on the outside and a subtle sweetness on the inside, the scones, served with butter, jam, and fresh clotted cream were a revelation! Stop here for outstanding service, delicious home-baked products, and sumptuously stuffed sandwiches.

We came to Abbey Tearooms for a late lunch with our little dog and as it was glorious weather we ate outside. There was an extensive and varied menu and also a specials board. My daughter and I could honestly say it was the best cheese and tomato quiche we had ever had and the portions are really generous. We bought a lemon meringue pie to bring home and we have just consumed it. It was absolutely delicious and again probably the best we have ever tasted. Incredible little gem of a place and will definitely be returning! Thankyou to all the lovely staff.