The Old Reading Room Gallery & Tea Room in North Norfolk

If you like a quaint, local tearoom, this is the place to go. There’s nothing fancy about the reading room, it just a lovely traditional place to enjoy home cooked cake and tea, served by a jolly, convivial host. I go for the treacle tart & custard, but could equally eat any of the other mouth watering cakes. Prices are keen and you’ll want to return.

A visit to this fantastic place was a brilliant surprise. My wife and I are both vegetarian and couldn’t believe that we could eat from almost every section of the menu. The menu is down to earth dining. The service was exceptional. The food was very tasty and well presented. A great find for future meals.

It is one of our favourite places to eat in Norfolk. The family who own the tea room will always make you very welcome. We've been going back for 35 years now. The homemade coffee and walnut cake is amazing. We love all the books, paintings and gifts to buy in there.

I am a regular to this lovely place.Always made to feel welcome,such a friendly atmosphere and good food and always a brilliant service. I recommend anybody to pop in albeit even just a cuppa,the family run business team are always happy to see new faces as well as regulars. There is also a wide selection of ornaments crafts,antiques and quirky things on display to purchase at more than reasonable prices and the paintings done by local artists (one of which is a family member) are simply amazing.

Consistently wonderful staff, food and lovely atmosphere- a shop with lots of treasures to explore. A little out of the way for us to get to but definitely worth the drive, I'll always try to go whenever I get the chance.

Superb food with friendly and efficient staff. A most enjoyable visit. The collection of antiques and collectable was very interesting to browse through. Try their home made coffee and walnut cake.

Visit here regularly, always good. Amazing cakes and cheese scones. Beautiful setting. Friendly staff. Good parking. Highly recommend :)

Good for sandwiches tea and cakes. Friendly staff and made to feel welcome. Interesting shop with pictures, books and various oddment. Worth a browse.

It’s not the first time we have visited this restaurant and we are sure to do so again. The food is great quality, one can have an extra, free, Coffee and the owner and staff are welcoming and friendly.

Flown past this place many times on our travels to north Norfolk and today we finally got the chance to go in. It’s a quaint, mish -mash of décor, furniture and curios. But the proprietor is a friendly and welcoming chap who goes out of his way to settle you in. We only wanted a cuppa, but frankly, if you can ignore their array of home made cakes, you’re super-human. I spotted a treacle tart loitering in the chiller cabinet and that was it … they even warmed it up and poured hot custard on it. Heaven. The place is jam-packed with old books, paintings and and bygone nik-naks. Worth a browse as you wait for your tea to be served. Prices are reasonable, the choice of goodies vast and service is first class. THANK YOU.

Tearoom for snacks, Big slices of cake... Books, pictures and more...... Always a friendly welcome and Free, yes free coffee refills with a smile ( proper coffee). We arrive whilst walking but ample car park. Well worth a visit..... We shall be back next time we are in Norfolk. Thank you.....

The service is always warm and friendly at this wonderful Norfolk cafe. Food is always to a high standard with generous portions, especially the cakes.

Stopped off here on way back from Wells tea and cake, cherry cake was delicious but the teapot was dirty and the spout clogged, clearly not seen a dishwasher in ages. Replacement teapot also had a dirty spout and cracked lid where dirt was present on exposed porcelain. Shame!!

Stopped on the off chance, also looking for somewhere new to try. Great choice of both savoury and cake. We sat outside where most tables had sun umbrellas. The tea was piping hot with the addition of a pot of boiling water. Sandwiches were lovely, packed full of meat. Will definitely return.

Kelling Tea Room was a must visit location whenever we stayed in Norfolk. We have just had our first holiday there since the pandemic struck and we're delighted to find it hasn't changed. Still lovely, good value food, friendly service and a huge selection of books, gifts and cards. It was the busiest I've ever seen so we had our lunch outside and it was excellent. Highly recommended.

If you like tea and cake when in North Norfolk then you must stop here.The cake selection is excellent and there is something for everyone and all homemade and really nice.The price is really good aswell.There is an outside area and a charming inside area...

Stumbled across this tea room waiting for the coasthopper bus and what a delight we found. Over 10 cakes on offer all homemade and very yummy. Not modern, more quaint and English. Adorable 🙂

Take here for lunch when visiting relatives who live in Norfolk and have been before and loved it, I quite agree with them nice little tea room, good food, very well priced and a few lovely antiques, books and works of art to browse.

We loved the tea room so much we visited twice in our recent short Norfolk stay. The service is very friendly, the cakes are completely delicious and there is a great range of teas (in a pot, with extra hot water). Highly recommend for a...

What an amazing find! Outstanding food, excellent service- wonderful atmosphere. It is really a unique little place with a great big 💕. I will definitely be back.

Visited again with my wife,excellent food and drinks and service,nothing was to much trouble for the staff. Very busy but service was quick. Well worth a visit.

Love this venue. Always visit and their cakes are wonderful, especially the apple pie. The portions are generous and they give you a pot of hot water with the your tea..It is lovely browsing around all the lovely china and old books.

A quirky but friendly place in the middle of nowhere. Small in size but huge in a warm welcoming atmosphere with well prepared food. Everything home made and delicious served with a warm friendly attitude. Over all well worth a visit. As a bonus there...

We visited this café whilst on holiday in Norfolk. The homemade cakes were very good, and the staff really friendly. There are many second hand books for sale, and also pictures and other gifts. A lovely place for a relaxing cuppa and cake.

Delicious food in an interesting antiques/bookshop setting. Lots of choice at very reasonable prices. Good sandwiches and cakes. The best thing was the friendliness of the owners, we were made to feel welcome as soon as we arrived. On leaving, we were given good advice...

Excellent food, magnificent pot of tea, very friendly service, lovely atmosphere. What more could you want? Do stop here if you can.

After a long walk my husband and myself stopped for lunch here.We were made to feel very welcome. The food was plentiful and good value. Although the place was busy we did not have to wait long for our lunch. Well done. Great service.

I ordered a special tea for martyns birthday and fathers day , What a wonderful spread we were very pleased Back in Sept all the way from South derbyshire

Having stopped there today 7/6/21 for morning tea, I found the service to be excellent. We had fresh baked scones with butter and a huge pot of lovely jam!! The service and friendly staff made the visit a real pleasure! My thanks to both gentleman...

Lovely tea room with delicious cakes and lunchtime choices. Can either sit inside or out also has car parking. Added bonus is the gallery/shop selling pictures, collectables and furniture. After having tea and cake I purchased a few little Wade figures to add to my...

A warm sunny Sunday morning to enjoy a return visit. Quality and choice of cakes was excellent, a pity we had already arranged lunch as the choices for lunchtime also looked tempting. Refillable filter coffee, a rare luxury today.Staff very welcome and delivered excellent service.Will look forward to the next visit, hopefully for lunch!

Every time mum dad and i visit, Norfolk, we always go to this tea room, the cream tea is delicious and the service is great too

A perfect place to unwind with a lovely coffee or drink of your choice,The cakes are fresh and cream teas are delightful, the staff are super friendly and the food is fresh snd tasty - highly recommend.A new gazebo is situated outside to allow outdoor seating in unpredictable weather and staff comply with strictly with all covid regulations.Menu includes various home made soups - jacket potatoes - quiche- sausage rolls sandwiches - ploughman’s and paninis - don’t forget to leave room for the many tasty cakes on offer - or take one home !! Enjoy

i would recommend this place to anyone wanting a nice treat, the cream tea is very tasty. the staff are so polite and helpful

We have been here on a number of occasions. My husband loves there home made quiche..always polite, friendly and welcoming. Great food and service..will be back there soon..

From the friendliest staff to the lively food it doesn’t get any better. And at this price range it is fantastic! Stop there and enjoy

We found this by chance. This family run establishment is charming, delightful and welcoming. They provide good honest food freshly prepared at reasonable prices. I managed to resist the cakes and desserts- which I regretted later.

This cafe is excellent in every way. Well done for only allowing dogs in the garden. For goodness sake dog owners - leave them in the car or take them in the garden and stop griping about not being able to have them constantly with you - they are not human beings but animals and not everyone wants them in a food area!!!

These tea rooms are set back off the coast road, a very interesting cafe, not only for the food which is very good but all the bit and pieces they have for sale, ranging from books to tea sets, all manner of antiquities.

We found this little gem by accident ! made very welcome with an excellant choice of cakes, soup and sandwiches. Very friendly staff.it was set in a couple of reading rooms with old books for sale, another room had a few antiques and local pickles!! We will be back.

We stopped off on the way back home to south Norfolk. What an interesting place we thoroughly enjoyed our visit . The staff were so friendly and put you at ease. The cake and tea was very good too. We have driven past on the way home so many times and not stopped will definitely visit again.

Have patronised this establishment on a weekly basis since 1997. If I could I would give it 6 stars! Archetypal English tearoom and gift shop in an idyllic setting. The secret recipe homemade soup is the best in Norfolk, possibly the UK.

Great cafe, friendly - top up your coffee for free without asking, great soup - best apple pie anywhere. Visit whenever in area,

This is one of my all time favourites. Lovely coffee with free top ups, All kinds of different teas And superb baked goods including the most delicious cakes, pasties, sausage rolls etc. The owners and staff are so warm and friendly.and make you feel so welcome. A really lovely place to visit. A must if you are looking for a good cuupa whilst in Norfolk. We have been here several times and will be calling as often as possible.

First went to this cafe around April 2019 while staying at Kelling heath holiday park. 6 adults and 3 children we all left enjoying a lovely afternoon, We all loved what we had to eat and drink, the kids also brought some gifts.Me and my wife live in Norwich we have been back about 3 time this year and my wife took her aunts and uncle for a birthday treat for one of her aunts all have a great few hours and enjoyed the food and drink. The owner and some his family run the the cafe all very friendly and helpful, The hot choc is one off the best I have ever had the cakes are all homemade and I hope I will be going back before Christmas for some more,

what a wonderful tea room food is wonderful a lot to choose from staff are very pleasant at all times and are very helpful also service is very good and always with a smile after lunch it was very nice to look around the place at the wonderful stock they sell

When we visit the Norfolk coast we always call in at the family run Tea Room in Kelling for the good food and service. Here the staff are very friendly and nothing is to much trouble and they offer a top up after your drink.They must be doing something right as old customers, including ourselves, just keep going back for more.

Not a hot drink person so had cold drinks which there was a good choice. We shared a fruit scone which was fine, Jam was good, plenty of butter. The flapjack omg was the driest most unappetising thing ever... couldn’t eat it! Staff lovely, place could be a gem if just updated it and allowed part to be a tea room with it.

Driving along the coast road, we spotted this place at the last minute but just had time to change direction. We were so pleased as we not only enjoyed our pot of tea but with the fruit scone was the most generous supply of butter and jam we have ever seen. There is also a wonderful display of old and second hand books, pictures, cards and memorabilia. Also a beautiful rocking horse.

It has always been one of our favourite places, we've ben coming back fro 20 years. You will always be welcomed by the ovely satff there. It's fascinating and a quaint place. The food is lovely and is very good value. The cakes are amazing and are cooked by one of the owners. I can fully recommend the quiche.

Lovely Te Rooms, always a warm welcome and good food, interesting to look at the paintings , books etc the only downside dogs not allowed inside, otherwise we would visit more often

We came across this tea room while driving along the main road and were glad we decided to stop.

Came here last October with friends they have been regular visitors I had a cornish pasty then I was so glad to come back again twice this week 19--26th MAY so as to have some more of there lovely pasties so much so I brought 2 home to CROYDON have had them for tea on our first visit this week my Wife had Tuna sandwich on the second she had egg mayonnaise without the cress nothing is to much trouble the pasties to bring home were well wrapped for the journey back to CROYDON they did not last long when we arrived home they are delicious

Ideal for a light lunch and afternoon tea. Fresh home made tasty food. Soup, Sausage Rolls, Cornish pasty with Branston Pickle, Ploughman's, Sandwiches, Quiche etc.served with a small very fresh salad.

Called into the Reading Rooms for a hot chocolate and a cake after a walk at Cromer. We have been visiting here for approximately 25 years and it is always a pleasure and today was no exception. The lovely family that run the Reading Rooms are always welcoming and the food and cakes on offer are second to none.

We have been here severall times and were never dissapointed, all food is home made and made up while you waiy sonits always fresh, cakes and pies are delicous , the service is very good very friendly owner and staff then there are the books and curios very pleasant experience

This is a very good place to have breakfast/lunch/or afternoon tea, the service and the food is too a very good standard, the staff are very efficient would highly recommend a visit

What a lovely tea room this is. Thought £2 for tea was a bit high but it arrived on a tray with cup, saucer, teapot and extra hot water. I could have had 4-5 cups. So, along with a lovely pot of decaffeinated coffee for my friends it was really value for money. Cakes looked delicious although the sausage rolls did look a bit anaemic and could have done with an egg wash. The atmosphere is quaint being surrounded by books and knickknacks. Definitely a place to visit again, perhaps for lunch.

Visited here as we both fancied a cream tea and found the place on TripAdvisor. Place is very unique, a cafe mixed with shop (new gifts and second hand books etc.). Scones were delicious and staff very friendly.

Excellent food, friendly staff and absolutely love looking around. Found a couple of beautiful perfume bottles here. My sister thought it was brilliant. Enjoyed the egg and cress sandwiches and pasty.

This a great place to have tea or coffee' a light meal/snack or just a delicious cake with friendly owners/staff at reasonable prices. There is also an Aladdin's Cave of books, Paintings, ornaments, gifts, antiques etc.

Lots of interesting artefacts, books, ornaments, gifts and cards as well as a great pot of tea and home made cakes and savouries. Even Gluten free chocolate cake!

Family and friends have been telling me for several years about this gem "you'll love it". "It's just up your street". Well they were right. I had the Ploughman's Lunch, which was recommended, as they had tried it and know it's one of my favourites. They were right. It was fantastic. It included three cheeses, a ramakin of pickle, a dish of little onions, tomato, lettuce, cucumber etc. And the bread was some of the best ever. The dessert was just as good, Lemon Meringue. The surroundings are lovely, old-wordy, which is just what i like, but not rundown. As others have mentioned in their reviews, there are also books, paintings and antiques for sale. i was tempted, as I am a bookworm, They have more books than me, but only just! The staff (owners) are amazing. Jamie and Kurt. Kurt also paints some of the paintings. Very talented. Would, and do, recommend.

What a delightful tea room this is. The inside is like visiting an Aladdin's cave and the staff are polite, friendly and helpful. The cheese ploughman is plentiful and absolutely delicious as is all their cakes. Had lashings of red hot tea. Visited here two years ago when we visited Norfolk and nothing has changed, excellent as ever. Will DEFINITELY be back when we visit this beautiful county again. Thank you very much

Called in this week, & my Achilles heel is a cream tea, so that's what I ordered.

Visited here after being recommended otherwise i wouldnt of gone, really hard see as you go past as place looks derelict when it is closed and only the signs put out when it is open give it away.

Absolutely disappointed in this place! It felt like walking into a library & being told to keep quiet, no atmosphere whatsoever & service was not very friendly! Felt like we were intruding on their privacy! Very expensive, £8.75 for two toasted teacakes & two Teas! We live locally so goodness knows what holidaymakers think! Real rip off!

My husband and I have been visiting here for years !! We go almost daily when we stay at kelling heath!! It is family run! We are made to feel like a regular and friend. There is a good choice of sandwiches, home made cakes, scones, pasty,s, soup with chunky bread and jacket potatoes, the quiche is one of our favourites, nothing is too much trouble. There is a lovely selection of art work by local artists, many collectables,books and local honey.we are looking forward to many visits in the future.

A surprise lunch stop. Egg and cress sandwich without the cress. A can of diet fantastic and walls packed with local arts and crafts. There are some very interesting old books too! Unfortunately, no dogs allowed and no photography ( I suppose that's in case you steal a image?) On the whole very pleasant for lunch and postcards.

We were holidaying in Blakeney and found this jewel of a place by pure chance and pulled in to their car park at the back for a light lunch.

Don't make our mistake and just drive past! We have passed this little place so many times and never stopped......never again! This is a brilliant place! Very friendly and welcoming staff, very clean, amazing home made cakes and food and proper milky coffee! Add to that the fantastic selection of books, paintings and collectibles and you have the perfect rest stop! Just don't drive past!!

Our search for quality tea rooms took a turn today when we stopped at the Old Reading room on Kelling.

Just a small place by the side of the road and easy to simply drive by as we had done many times before. Bigger inside than it looks from the outside, its cosy and characterful. The staff were friendly, welcoming and incredibly efficient. Good food, generous portions and fair prices. You can also pick up books and artefacts here. Good parking at the back, though it is not immediately obvious.

We popped in for a cuppa and to ask about a house, the food looked amazing and the owners were so friendly. Definitely will return to try the food!

We love this tearoom and coming here since years. Very friendly quick service. Lovely family owned cafe. The food is yummy cakes delicious and not expensive. Also lovely place to reading and buying second books and bric a bac and antique items. Really can recommend this tearoom. Very popular by regular visitors and tourists

This place is wonderful, like so much in North Norfolk it is a constant, never-changing facet of this Area of Outstanding Beauty,

Family run restaurant situated in an old Reading room in Kelling,Norfolk. As far as one can see all the food on offer is home produced. There is a very good range of sandwiches and cakes on offer also jacket potatoes, soup and light meals. The staff are very friendly and helpful. The restaurant is lined with bookshelves-and there is an art gallery . Highly recommended for lunch and snacks but do you go early as it shuts at 4 PM.

We found this place by accident really and were very glad we did. Interesting surroundings and a good range of cakes, the coffee was good and the lady serving was nice and friendly. Worth a visit.

Called mid afternoon for a scone (large, warm, sultana, with jam and cream or butter). Also a delicious arrange of cakes on display, and snacks/lunches available. A popular spot although very quiet here. Many second hand books, pictures, jams and other paraphernalia for sale so worth a look round.

We stumbled over this tearoom on a trip out around Norfolk whilst on holiday. Such a quaint little place that was very busy for mid afternoon. There were books on every available shelf space as well as antiques for sale.We only stopped for a hot drink but spent ages looking around the rooms. Well worth a visit.

Looks like a tiny church hall from outside but a real Tardis! Fabulous cakes...other stuff too I believe but I stuck with cake. Not just a tea room ...also has antiques/bric-a-brac and second-hand books.

We visited twice in a recent trip to the area. Both times the food was delicious. It gets very busy but there is some seating outside as well as inside. There is a large selection of cakes as well as savoury options. The rooms are full of bookshelves with books to buy as well as another section which is antiques plus a very small section of clothing (new) by the toilets (which were clean). The staff also seem happy which to me is always a good sign.

We went for a 5 mile walk and stopped here for tea and cake.We were served by a very friendly young man and everything was good A very interesiting place and we will go again

Quick coffee and cake whilst visiting the area. All homemade goodies. Antiques and books scattered around to buy.

We were staying in a nearby camp site in Weybourne, we were on a walk with our dogs early one morning and came to the Reading Rooms, Kelling, it was not quite opening time 09.30 so we took a seat at the rear of the building to wait, a gentleman came out a little after 9am to say that coffee was on if we so wanted - after going in to the Reading Rooms was amazed at the interior, so full of antiques, bric a brac, books, cards, etc, and brightly coloured covered tables inside, was overwhelmed by the choices of cake and others delightfull edibles! plumped for Scone, Jam and cream although a little early in the day, it was served to us outside as we had the dogs , very good scones with lashings of Jam and Cream, top up coffee was offered which is always a nice touch,

What a great find. This tea shop has a quaint old fashioned feel. Tables with bright clothes are dotted around with book shelves, antique china and curiosities as well as homemade

Welcoming venue with wide choice of delicious cakes, as well as sandwiches and snacks. Dogs not allowed inside but welcome at outside tables. Also features an array of books, paintings and bric a brac for sale. So much more interesting than the usual tourist tat.

You can enjoy good food while browsing through books and paintings plus some antiques. There is something for everyone

Always very friendly and welcoming. Had sandwiches, pot of tea for two and a huge chunk of their apple pie with cream. £17.10 for the two of us. So reasonably priced, and generous portions.

Love this tearoom, your surrounded by books, art and antiques, the staff are very welcoming, the food and cakes are delicious, I love this place.

Lovely food. My wife and I shared a home-made soup and a lovely fresh sandwich.

My boyfriend & I stopped here in passing from Cromer back to Holme next the Sea. Initially, we were drawn in by the books (as I'm addicted to them!). On spotting the delicious homemade cakes, however, we just had to stay for a slice with a pot of tea. I had coffee & walnut cake & my boyfriend had treacle tart (which was served warm with cream). Both were AMAZING (and rather large!) & we were served a huge pot of tea with extra hot water. Great service, and a lovely little place to browse around if you love books!

Although I live in Lincolnshire, whenever I visit my friend in Cromer I always nag her to come here, I just love the place to bits. It is SO unusual - second-hand books, paintings, gifts and nic-nacs for sale, not to mention a selection of country-style jackets, etc. The staff are always unfailingly helpful, smiling, polite and efficient and the FOOD, well! All obviously home-made in the best possible way - fresh and appetising sandwiches and pasties and the cakes....... absolutely scrumptious. It would almost be worth my while to move house, just so I could visit the premises more regularly!

An old reading room still full of secondhand books for sale together with lots of other stuff. AND also a great old fashioned tea shop with good simple food, cakes and soups; all served at reasonable prices and with a smile. When we went it was full of locals who clearly are regulars so what better recommendation. I'm a veggie although the choice was limited the butternut soup was superb.

We have become regulars here when we are in Norfolk. It is a bookshop, sells lovely paintings and lots of knicky knacky type things, and a lovely Café. We always have the Soup ,even in summer and you can have cake and cream teas too. All the food is really fresh with a great selection of Homemade Sandwiches. The staff are all the same family and are so helpful and obliging. Also it is very reasonable and you can easily have a really nice lunch for 2 for just over £10 with a lovely cup of tea or coffee. Well worth a visit if you are passing by.

This sums up how lucky we are to live in England.Where else in the world would you get a lovely cream tea, home made food and get to browse books and antiques. Cakes are delicious and coffee is especially good. Well worth the visit.

We visit every year and always get a great welcome by the friendly and helpful staff. Amazing choice of cakes, and lots to look at and browse through. Cards, paintings, books, they have it all. Go look and see for yourself!

The old reading room and Gallery and tea room at Kelling on the A149 junction with The St, well worth a visit ,excellent food with sandwiches, cakes etc , staff very friendly and helpful a very pleasant stop for afternoon tea and to browse around the old books and knick-knacks recommend the sandwiches and the home made cakes .