Offering a cosy alternative to the pomp and ceremony fanfare going on at near neighbours the Pump Rooms, Hands Tearoom is a charmingly retro affair. Situated in a Georgian townhouse adjacent to Abbey Courtyard, this upmarket caff opens for breakfast and maintains a bustling trade throughout lunchtime. Find toasted sandwiches, omelettes, soup, etc on the menu all day long. But Hands really comes into its own from around 3pm, when warm, fresh scones are served with local jams and clotted cream and variations on the full-on set tea experience are served on a two-tiered silver platter with a choice of finger sandwiches and pastries. You can also find the famous Bath Bun here (see Pig Tales for the lowdown). But be warned: ‘cosy’ often translates as ‘cramped’ when the tourists take over, and service can get a bit snippy.

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