
Mrs Potts By The River
Quick info
About Mrs Potts By The River
At Botley Mills in Southampton, Mrs Potts By The River is a cafe with seating outside and under the cover of the old mill arch by the river and mill stream. The menu runs from bacon and egg sandwiches to a coronation chicken toastie, with cakes and scones, including lemon cake, alongside coffee and hot food. The place is run by a single proprietor who does the cooking and serving. Dogs are welcome, and high chairs are available for families with young children. It operates on a walk-in basis, open Tuesday to Saturday during the day and closed Mondays and Sundays. Parking nearby is free for the first hour, with a further hour available for a small charge.
Good to know
- ParkingPaid parking lot
- Good for kidsGood for kids · Kids' menu
- DietaryVegan options · Vegetarian options
Menu & Prices
6 dishes- Latte
- Coffee Cake
- Bacon Brie and Cranberry Panini
- Chicken Sandwich
- Key Lime Pie
- Pavlova
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coronation chicken toastie, lemon cake, fresh scones and bacon and egg sandwiches.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention coronation chicken toastie, lemon cake, fresh scones and bacon and egg sandwiches.
Customer Review Summary
Cakes and scones draw the most praise, with the lemon cake called out of this world and one reviewer describing scones as moist and tasty enough to order for a garden tea party. Reviewers also name the coronation chicken toastie and the bacon and egg sandwiches as delicious, and a few mention lovely coffee. The setting by the mill stream is described as tranquil and peaceful, with seating outside or under the mill arch, and the friendly owner is noted for running the tiny hut single-handedly. Speed splits opinion: one reviewer says food took a while because it was freshly made, while others call it quick. The one sharply negative account describes a long wait, an oven not working to heat the beans, lattes that were milky, warm and tasteless, a jacket potato that was cold and not cooked through, and a Hunters chicken toastie with very dry chicken, leaving that party hungry before a train. One diner closes by noting the ducks popped over to be fed.
Customer Review Summary
Cakes and scones draw the most praise, with the lemon cake called out of this world and one reviewer describing scones as moist and tasty enough to order for a garden tea party. Reviewers also name the coronation chicken toastie and the bacon and egg sandwiches as delicious, and a few mention lovely coffee. The setting by the mill stream is described as tranquil and peaceful, with seating outside or under the mill arch, and the friendly owner is noted for running the tiny hut single-handedly. Speed splits opinion: one reviewer says food took a while because it was freshly made, while others call it quick. The one sharply negative account describes a long wait, an oven not working to heat the beans, lattes that were milky, warm and tasteless, a jacket potato that was cold and not cooked through, and a Hunters chicken toastie with very dry chicken, leaving that party hungry before a train. One diner closes by noting the ducks popped over to be fed.
Featured reviews
- B. Bryant
“Pulled in on passing - a quirky little hut by the river, great Menu choice and amazing prices, quality was fantastic 👌 we shall definitely pop in again”
- Alison Stewart
“Lovely coffee, cakes and delicious bacon and egg sandwiches. Always friendly and a great spot by the river. A great place!”
- Karen Dixon
“I phoned Mrs Potts by The River as I wanted to buy scones and cakes for a little garden tea party I was having. The owner Emma could not have been more helpful and offered to make some scones for me for the morning of my event. When I collected the scones I also purchased a number of other slices of cakes. Oh my goodness, everything was absolutely superb and delicious, and I had WOW reviews from everyone!! The scones were beyond anything you would get anywhere, so moist and tasty, and as for the lemon cake, well just out of this world!! Emma is also so friendly and welcoming, we live locally and will definitely be back, this time to sit outside her little cafe by the river and cannot wait for more of that lemon cake! Try this place, you will definitely not be disappointed!”
- UK wanderer
“Great food, lovely spot and the ducks popped over to bed fed”
- Julia McKelvey
“Such a lovely place with the loveliest owner! The food took a little while but that was because it was all freshly made and absolutely delicious!! The coronation chicken toastie was so good and all the cakes on offer (we tried one of each) were delicious too! Such a gem and so glad we stopped and found this place! :)”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
- Closed
Highlights
- Great coffee
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for breakfast
- Popular for lunch
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Paid parking lot
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Takeaway
- Dine-in
- Good for kids
Show more amenities
- Vegan options
- Casual
- On-site services
- Coffee
- Free water refills
- Prepared foods
- Dining options· 5
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Lunch
- Dessert
- Seating
- Offerings· 3
- Quick bite
- Small plates
- Vegetarian options
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Family-friendly· 1
- Kids' menu
- Highlights· 2
- Great dessert
- Great tea selection
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Crowd· 1
- Tourists
Location
Cafes near Mrs Potts By The River
- Harvey's Cafe4.81410.1 miVegetarian optionsVegan options
gluten free menu, full english breakfast, bubble and squeak breakfast
- Ria's cafe4.81153.2 miOutdoor seatingReservations
breakfast, cooked to order, village hall location
- 3.5 miDelivery
coffee, cakes, burger
| Place | Rating | Distance | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mrs Potts By The RiverOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.762 | — | coronation chicken toastie, lemon cake, fresh scones |
| Harvey's CafeVegetarian options · Vegan options | 4.8141 | 0.1 mi | gluten free menu, full english breakfast, bubble and squeak breakfast |
| Ria's cafeOutdoor seating · Reservations | 4.8115 | 3.2 mi | breakfast, cooked to order, village hall location |
| Waite & Rose CaféDelivery | 4.26 | 3.5 mi | coffee, cakes, burger |
The 3 nearest cafes by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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