
The Pump Room Restaurant
Quick info
About The Pump Room Restaurant
At Searcys at the Pump Room in Bath, The Pump Room Restaurant serves British breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in a dining room that overlooks one of the Roman Baths' hot springs. Live piano accompanies meals, with an orchestral trio featured on some visits. The Jane Austen Afternoon Tea runs alongside a menu of 20 dishes, with finger sandwiches served as part of the spread, and gluten free scones and pastries available. Staff work in formal attire, and diners not finishing their food are offered a box to take home. A private dining room suits groups, and the step-free entrance allows wheelchair access for visitors with mobility needs, while high chairs accommodate families with young children. The restaurant opens daily for daytime service only, and reservations are recommended, since a wait is common without one. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the room.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingDifficult to find a space
- AccessibilityHas wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating · Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Good for kidsGood for kids · High chairs available · Has kids' menu
- DietaryServes vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes
Menu & Prices
20 dishes- Jubilee Afternoon Tea
- Eggs Benedict with Ham
- Birthday Cupcake
- Finger Sandwiches
- Champagne Tea
- The Pump Room Prawn Cocktail
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention jane austen afternoon tea, scones, live pianist and finger sandwiches and cakes.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention jane austen afternoon tea, scones, live pianist and finger sandwiches and cakes.
Customer Review Summary
The Jane Austen Afternoon Tea anchors most visits, with reviewers repeatedly praising the scones (several call them delicious, light and fluffy, including gluten free versions) and the wide tea selection, while opinions on the rest of the food split: some found the finger sandwiches and cakes "not inspired" or lacking in taste beyond sugar, and one reviewer noted a lingering baking powder taste in the scones. The live piano or orchestral trio and the historic room overlooking the Roman Baths draw consistent praise, often described as elegant and formal but relaxing. Service is mostly called friendly, attentive and professional, with staff marking birthdays with a cupcake or a piano tune, though a few describe lapses, servers hovering too soon, one waiter stopping check ins after thirty minutes, and one diner objecting to a staff member leaning on their table uninvited. Several call the afternoon tea pricey but worth it, while one felt it wasn't good value given the quality. One reviewer flags a confusing menu policy (teacake, cake, or scone, not all three) and an unexpected charge for a tea refill.
Customer Review Summary
The Jane Austen Afternoon Tea anchors most visits, with reviewers repeatedly praising the scones (several call them delicious, light and fluffy, including gluten free versions) and the wide tea selection, while opinions on the rest of the food split: some found the finger sandwiches and cakes "not inspired" or lacking in taste beyond sugar, and one reviewer noted a lingering baking powder taste in the scones. The live piano or orchestral trio and the historic room overlooking the Roman Baths draw consistent praise, often described as elegant and formal but relaxing. Service is mostly called friendly, attentive and professional, with staff marking birthdays with a cupcake or a piano tune, though a few describe lapses, servers hovering too soon, one waiter stopping check ins after thirty minutes, and one diner objecting to a staff member leaning on their table uninvited. Several call the afternoon tea pricey but worth it, while one felt it wasn't good value given the quality. One reviewer flags a confusing menu policy (teacake, cake, or scone, not all three) and an unexpected charge for a tea refill.
Featured reviews
- Ryan Allred
“A lovely setting in a historic site. The service was friendly. Although I had to ask for a tea cup after my tea was delivered. Scones and sandwiches were serviceable.”
- Maria Glacken
“Exceptional place you have to visit here for food. Such a lovely atmosphere guy playing a piano whilst you eat. We had brunch it was lovely I could if eaten it every day. The staff where very friendly & professional. The restaurant is set out amazingly. I will definately be back here when I next visit Bath. We had brunch then went in the roman baths. You dont have to go outside to queue once brunch finished you just went to the baths reception the queue looked huge but moved quickly we was only there a few minutes. We booked the brunch & tickets in advance. If you are on UC you can enter the Roman Baths for £1. You would obviously have to show some proof.”
- Anna Garoushe
“We enjoyed a wonderful afternoon tea. The best I’ve had. The service was very good with very friendly staff. One star lost for the chap who came and leant on our table and rattled off the Jane Austen tea experience. Didn’t hear a word band didn’t like the familiarity. Otherwise would highly recommend”
- Tara Zieminek
“This is a lovely place for afternoon tea, but I don't recommend ordering the extras because the regular tea is already far too much food. The pianist added a classy ambience. I love how they have child-friendly alternatives, so adults can enjoy tea but the kids are happy too.”
- Margaret Dooley-Sammuli
“Fun afternoon tea experience. Interesting, yummy various food/desserts. Wonderful pianist and Jane Austin era decor. The place is a logistical machine. Any waiter can get what you need, which was good because our waiter sort of stopped checking on us after 30min. You can stay up to 90min.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Classical music accompaniment to coffee, lunch and afternoon tea overlooking Roman Baths hot spring.”
- Serves great coffee
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Has great wine list
- Has live music
- Popular for popular for breakfast
Amenities
- Has Wi-Fi
- Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Accepts reservations
- Serves dine-in
- Family friendly
- Serves vegan dishes
Show more amenities
- Serves alcohol
- Historic
- On-site services available
- Serves beer
- Serves coffee
- Has free water refills
- Dining options· 9
- Serves breakfast
- Serves brunch
- Serves lunch
- Serves dinner
- Has catering
- Has counter service
- Serves dessert
- Has seating
- Has table service
- Atmosphere· 2
- Romantic
- Upmarket
- Accessibility· 2
- Has wheelchair-accessible seating
- Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Offerings· 5
- Serves cocktails
- Has private dining room
- Serves spirits
- Serves vegetarian dishes
- Serves wine
- Facilities· 1
- Has toilet
- Crowd· 3
- Good for groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Popular with tourists
- Family-friendly· 3
- Good for kids
- High chairs available
- Has kids' menu
- Highlights· 4
- Serves great dessert
- Has great tea selection
- Has great wine list
- Has live music
- Popular for· 4
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for dinner
- Good for solo dining
- Parking· 1
- Difficult to find a space
- Planning· 3
- Brunch reservations recommended
- Lunch reservations recommended
- Usually has a wait
Location
Restaurants near The Pump Room Restaurant
- Kokoro BATH4.43270 mi
generous portion sizes, katsu curry, teriyaki salmon bowl
- 0.1 mi£10–20Good for kidsReservations
sally lunn bun, jane austen afternoon tea, basement kitchen museum
- Koky BBQ5.01600.2 mi£1–15
mixed grill, chicken wrap, chicken and rice
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Pump Room RestaurantGood for kids · Reservations | 4.62,243 | — | £20–60 | jane austen afternoon tea, scones, live pianist |
| Kokoro BATH | 4.4327 | 0 mi | — | generous portion sizes, katsu curry, teriyaki salmon bowl |
| Sally Lunn’s Historic Eating House & MuseumGood for kids · Reservations | 4.46,244 | 0.1 mi | £10–20 | sally lunn bun, jane austen afternoon tea, basement kitchen museum |
| Koky BBQ | 5.0160 | 0.2 mi | £1–15 | mixed grill, chicken wrap, chicken and rice |
The 3 nearest restaurants by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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