Copper Kettle Tea Rooms, Bamburgh
The History of the Copper Kettle Tearoom

The Castle predominates over the tiny village of Bamburgh, and the history of the tearoom is directly linked to the Castle. In the early 1700s the row of six cottages known as the Grove Cottages, were built as accommodation for the labourers of the Castle. The domed ceilings are original and the two recess alongside the old chimney flue housed two large fold down beds for the large families (eight or more!) that lived in this room alone. The loo was outside with no running water installed until the building was converted into the original tearoom.

In 1956 two spinster sisters convinced the Castle Trust Administrators to sell them the then derelict buildings that are now the Tearoom and Giftshop. The sisters spend a small fortune on renovation – the buildings opening with a Tearoom and Antiques Shop. The oak wood panelling was handcrafted specifically for the opening of the Tearoom, by Hunter and Smallpage of York at an astronomical figure of £13,00, bearing in mind the buildings only cost £8,000! In the early seventies the sisters sold the teamroom and shop to separate buyers and the two businesses have co-existed ever since.

The Tearoom has had five sets of owners since 1956, with each owner making small alterations to the building to suit their style of operation. Since the arrival of current owner Annabel Dobson in November 2002, we have converted the lounge into a dining area to increase the covers inside to 48, and we hope that customers will make full use of the patio garden in the summer months.