Afternoon Tea Walks in London

                        Tea Time Mag photo                                              Twinings' tiny white shoppe in London. 

There are fabulous walking tours in Europe for a great way to see something very unique in the nooks and crannies of an old city.  This walk sounded like a fun leisurely day as well.  When in London consider doing a Tea Walk with Twinings, the popular tea producer (since 1706).   See the walking route...



SOMERSET - DUNSTER WATER MILL

4.5 miles of wonderful Somerset countryside ends at the  Dunster Water Mill Tea room

The added bonus of this tea room is that it's also part of a working Mill - its quite fascinating to watch the miller at work and see where the flour for your afternoon scones is milled.

Please note Dunster Water Mills opening times at the end of this Afternoon Tea article.

The walk starts from the village, or strictly speaking town, of Dunster with its fairy-tale castle. It is ideal for a hot summer's day when the shelter of the trees, for almost the complete circuit, provides welcome shade. The route, albeit over hills, has a predominantly easy gradient - what steep bits there are prove to be fairly short - and incorporates a visit to an Iron Age fort whose title of Bat's Castle conjures up images of Dracula, whilst the next hill takes its name from the gallows which are reputed to have been sited there. Despite that, it really is a very pleasant walk!

Dunster can claim an abundance of teashops, all of them offering good food with good service. However, most of them front on to the main road through the village, which is fine if you wish to watch the traffic go by. In contrast, the Dunster Mill Tea Rooms and Gardens in Mill Lane are set idyllically alongside the river next to the historically important mill where stone ground flour is produced and on sale. The owners specialise in home baking, and everything is home-made. Light lunches are available and the cream teas are considered by many to be served with the best scones in Somerset. Meals can be taken alongside the river in the garden setting or under cover in the tea rooms.

When the Dunster Mill Tea Rooms are closed, there are several alternatives within a short walking distance, many of them open all year round.

DISTANCE: 4.5 miles.

MAP: OS Outdoor Leisure 9 Exmoor.

STARTING POINT: The car park by the Gallox Bridge in Dunster (GR 989432).

HOW TO GET THERE: Dunster can be found just off the A39 between Williton and Minehead. From the A39, take the A396 into and through the village (notice the large pay and display car park on your left which is an alternative should the car park be full). You will pass the yarn market in the centre of the village and after driving through a series of traffic lights (the streets are very narrow here) turn left immediately after the Foresters Arms. This short lane leads you down to a pay and display car park by the packhorse bridge.  

THE WALK

Dunster is one of Somerset's hot spots for tourists with its medieval streets , mill and yarn market, not to mention its wonderful castle, which stands proud over the town. Its wealth was at one time based on the wool trade and the word Dunster was synonymous with the high quality woollen products. The town can still boast many excellent shops selling woollen goods. 

http://www.twinings.co.uk/about-our-tea/afternoon-tea/tea-shop-walks-somerset-45miles

 

From Tea Time Magazine