Gillam’s Tearoom – Ulverston

Beautiful old fashioned tearoom with plenty of vegan choice on their food, drink and cake menus.

Cuisine: Classic British ‘Tea’ fare – cakes, scones, teacakes, etc. But also larger sandwiches, burgers and pies for those wanting a more substantial meals – make sure you check the specials board.
Opening Hours: 9am-3pm Tue-Sat (check website as these can change by season)
Location: 64 Market St, Ulverston LA12 7LT
Date Visited: Oct 2020
Price Range: £4-9 for various food options
Contact:  01229 587 564
Website: http://www.gillams-tearoom.co.uk/
WiFi: Ulverston has free wifi across the town centre
Charging: At some tables

Like stepping back into a bygone age, Gillam’s Tearoom’s decor is beautifully old-fashioned but their menu is wonderfully inclusive and progressive.

If you are vegan and in Ulverston you must go here. It is definitely going on our list of essential places to eat for vegans in the Lake District.

Situated in a beautiful old building on Ulverston’s historic Market Street, Gillam’s Tearoom have preserved a Victorian feel with rustic wooden furniture, a blazing log fire and old posters, pictures and clippings on the walls. It really feels like stepping back into a simpler time.

Their menu, however, is totally up to date with modern dietary considerations, devoting a whole page to allergen definitions and indicating them next to every menu option.

There is a wealth of choice for vegans, from scones, cakes and tea cakes for those just having something with their drink, to breakfast sandwiches, jacket potatoes and even something bigger on their specials board – a squash and sage pie or a jackfruit burger on the day we went.

They do a Vegan Afternoon Tea for anyone wanting that quintessentially British experience, and you don’t have to book it 24 hours in advance the way so many places require.

As they describe themselves as a Tearoom, they take their selection of teas and coffees very seriously. There was more choice of varieties and blends than I have ever seen. A tea or coffee connoisseur could spend days enjoying the various options. All are available with soya or oat milk if desired.

On cold days the Vegan Hot Chocolate is a good option. It’s refreshing to have a hot chocolate clearly labelled as vegan, rather than having to interrogate the staff about its ingredients before ordering.

We both had vegan scones with damson jam as it was a little early for lunch when we visited. They were delicious and quite filling. They were out of vegan cream unfortunately, but the vegan spread they provided was very good and not the usual supermarket fare.

Next to the Tearoom is a small shop crammed full of organic produce, with an extensive vegan section including Vegannaise, Suma, and others we hadn’t encountered before. So it would be a good place to stock up on supplies if camping or self-catering.

Gillam’s Tearoom is a delightful place to spend time, and all the more so because they have put so much thought into providing extensive options for vegans throughout their food and drink offerings. It is really worth a visit.