Review of Mr Miles Tearooms – Taunton, Somerset!

Hello, darlings,
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I must say, following my scone munching, tea tasting visit to Mr Miles Tearooms, 3-4 High Street, Taunton, Somerset, I decided to join the gaiety and share my experience on British National Tea Day – so here it is!
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​You see, many moons ago I stumbled across this rather enchanting, traditional, tea and coffee parlour which oozes the timeless flavour of a bygone era. Best described as a honey-pot for “ladies who lunch”, an afternoon tea spot for tourists, cream tea for the locals, or for the poor commoner it’s the place to enjoy a cup of Miles Smugglers Gold Tea – indeed, a menu to suit ALL patrons!

This adorable establishment is the “brainchild” of Mr Colin Barrell, who for seventeen years previously ran a McDonald’s franchise – I say, a stark contrast to tea and scones! And strangely enough, one day whilst enjoying a brew in Betty’s of Harrogate enthused to his wife, “This would work well in Taunton” – and there you have it, the idea was born!  ​

Also, Mr Barrell, who beautifully mirrored my well-received and ever so slight hint of a West-Country accent, when quizzed about his experience running a tearoom in comparison to McDonald’s, with a cracked smile he remarked, “I feel a bit like a swan, nice and relaxed above water; but paddling like hell below!”

Darlings, you’re probably gagging to know how on earth did Mr Barrell’s idea achieve fruition? You see, once upon a time Mr Colin Barrell attended an event and became quite friendly with the tea lady (Oh, I say!), and by a sheer stroke of serendipity, she was serving Miles tea – Mr Barrell’s favourite. Following this moment of clarity, he excitedly impressed upon the lady his idea to open a tearoom in Taunton, who then urged Mr Barrell to contact the managing director – and so he did!

Miles Tea of Porlock, Somerset, are merchants of the finest tea and coffee from the West-Country. Established in 1888 and was previously known as Henry Miles & Co, then in 1971, Mr D J Miles purchased the business from his grandfather, whom since then, and now at the ripe and ravishing age of 86 years old is still tea tasting and buying three days per week (How spiffing!).

I say the wonderful thing is, when Mr Barrell put forward his tearoom idea to the board of Miles tea, he was told with much enthusiasm, “We have been toying with the idea for years, and we need a shop window to sell our tea!” Of course, Mr Barrell was the right man for the job, thus entered into a partnership with this highly acclaimed brand and opened up his dream tearoom in Taunton.

Darlings, you’ll be pleased to know that Mr Barrell has been drinking one of his favourite beverages of Miles West-Country Original Blend Tea since he was a “nipper”, which was due to a generous perk of his Mother’s employ at the local deli in Minehead, Somerset. He proclaimed to Miss Windsor, “I’ve been drinking it since I was a boy, you can’t replace the taste with anything else!”

Moving on swiftly, Mr Miles Tearooms resides in the old Laura Ashley building and received a complete make-over before it reopened its doors to hospitality on the 24th February 2010.

I say, the tasteful décor certainly surpassed Miss Windsor’s high standards – “hats off” to Julianne – interior designer and good friend of the Barrell’s, who obviously has a sharp eye for detail and exceptional use of colour.

Dressed head to toe in Oval Room Blue by Farrow & Ball, and Duck Egg by Laura Ashley. Such warm and relaxing colours beautifully complement the seating area – adorned with wicker tables and chairs by Lloyd Loom of Spalding – stained a pleasant shade of green!

I dare say, the last time I experienced Lloyd Loom was when I perched my derriere on my grandmother Josie’s vintage, gold and floral chair, which was part of a unique bedroom set sporting a matching ottoman – what a wonderful memory of Grandmother Josie’s most flash abode!

Remarkably, similar to my grandmother’s pantry, which was always bursting at the seams with tins, packets, and jars – mostly out of date may I add! I note that the lower floor of the tearooms, including the window displays was packed to the rafters with the very best of West-Country fayre – Miles finest tea, coffee, drinking chocolate, chocolate by the bar, Brendon Hill Crafts jams, and The Bee Keeping Ladies Somerset Honey.  ​

I also spied a vibrant assemblage of tea cosies, Dunoon mugs, plus Emma Bridgewater ceramics and Royal Worcester bone china – I say, a fine mix of classic style and modern design. In fact, Mr Barrell is the local agent for the latter – makers of luxury crockery and tea paraphernalia.

Darlings, before I pop off I wish to “tickle your fancy” (Oh, I say!) with details of my frightfully fabulous cream tea experience. Of course, my tea of choice was Miles West-Country Original Blend – seasoned with a dash of milk that gleamed a resplendent tone of tawny and bronze.

An exquisite fusion of fourteen Assam and African teas – made with a pure dose of West-Country LOVE! Just one sip of this magic potion and my taste buds roared with sheer delight, as they were greeted by a mellow, malty, and vibrant flavour – indeed, a splash of heaven in a teacup!

Following my exhilarating moment, I promptly sunk my gnashers into a devilishly seduction scone, which are baked in-house every day by Mrs Kate Jenkins. The scones were temptingly mouth-watering, dove feather soft that flaunted rippled textured layers of perfectly baked dough.

Bedecked with succulent raisins and sultanas, and enhanced by a familiar, yet comforting aftertaste of “shortbread”. I must say, although I found the aftertaste quite extraordinary, I soon fathomed that it must be due to the rich and creamy ingredient of West-Country butter.

Of course, I slathered each scone with a velvety coat of clotted cream – lovingly sourced from Longman’s Dairy, and topped with a sexy, deep scarlet, glossy layer of Brendon Hill Crafts strawberry jam, bestrewn with large chunks of fruit – a match made in heaven!

Now darlings, before I scurry off, I must say that the beauty of this establishment, hub of the High Street, is that its open seven days a week. So one may pop in anytime and “fill one’s boots” with a plethora of goodies, whether it’s a box of Miles tea, a packet of Miles coffee – I highly recommend Nicaraguan Maragogype (freshly roasted on-site) or a special tea cosie for the lucky recipient. I do hope you enjoyed my review of Mr Miles Tearooms Next stop – Betty’s of Harrogate! ​ Cheerio for now,

Miss Windsor x