Whether you’re off to a galaxy far, far away visiting the latest Unofficial Galaxies exhibition inside Peterborough Cathedral, or just need a pit stop for some tea and a cake while you’re shopping, there’s an old favourite back on the tearoom scene in the city centre.
The café just inside the cathedral archway has been reopened as Becket’s Traditional Tea Rooms now run by Tracy and Graham Cleaver, previous owners of The Old Copper Kettle in Crowland.
It’s the perfect spot and we’re pleased the iconic Cathedral, a key Peterborough tourist attraction, once again has a café on site.
Situated on the site of Becket chapel, where until 1190, it housed relics of the famous Archbishop, Thomas Becket the café offers a range of teas, coffees, cakes and other delicious treats.
Tracy and Graham Cleaver, are pleased to be launching their new venture with the Cathedral and after a soft opening in early July, they have already attracted a steady flow of happy customers. Both are excited at the prospect of establishing Becket’s Tea Rooms as a stylish, yet quaint location for afternoon tea in the bustling city centre.
The couple are also looking forward to involving the tearooms with future Cathedral events and are keen to make everyone feel welcome. Tracy said – “Being part of the cathedral family is important to us.”
From 10am Monday to Saturday, you can enjoy a full English breakfast or even build your own bespoke breakfast dishes. For a lighter start to the day, the menu offers alternative options, and in addition visitors can also choose from a range of home-made sandwiches, toasties, salads, traditional cream teas as well as cakes and bakes.
Graham said – “We’ve had a gentle start, and we’re looking in the very near future, to expand our menu options etc and to build it up to serve both locals and visitors alike.” Tracy and Graham also offer outside catering, on request, through their company, The Sweetheart Party Co.
Becket’s Tea Rooms has both indoor and outdoor seating areas with a small function room available for children’s parties, private lunches, and corporate meetings. In a comfy area with soft armchairs, gentle music plays on the electric piano creating a calm, gentle atmosphere where you can sit and chat.
When outlining her vision for Becket’s Tearooms, Tracy said – “We want to bring the feel of a traditional tearoom back into the heart of Peterborough. There are lots of chain eateries and that’s absolutely great; lots of different cuisines and cultures, but I think what the city is missing is a traditional tearoom."
"We’ve got such a magnificent building here at Becket’s and I think to just bring that back with some really nice traditions and traditional menus would be great.” She continued – “The place is a fully licensed premises so we’re hoping to offer some maybe not bottomless brunches, but maybe some boozy brunches.”
Later this year, Tracy and Graham will begin hosting small events such as open mic nights, alongside welcoming musical guests to perform in the evenings. They will also offer themed food and drinks, in support of special exhibitions and performances hosted by Peterborough Cathedral, such as Unofficial Galaxies (running until August 29) and the retelling of Alice in Wonderland by the touring theatre company DOT Productions on August 28.
You can look forward to a Yoda burger or a Mad Hatter themed tea party, because as Graham pointed out: “… with the tearoom itself, we look on it as not just another café or tearoom, it's a place of theatre.”
Becket’s Tea Room can be found on Facebook and Trip Advisor, and tickets for Unofficial Galaxies are still available for booking at Peterborough Cathedral - Summer Exhibition event tickets from TicketSource.
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