Whittington's Tea Barge

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Reviews

1. suki ng ★★★★★

   Whittington Tea Barge is very popular among people in Reading, and after joining their monthly 2-hour river cruise I can see why it has such a good reputation. The whole experience felt very special. The weather was warm and not windy, which made it perfect for cruising along the River Thames. With only 12 people on board, it was calm, friendly, and never crowded — a very personal experience compared to bigger boat trips. At the time of boarding, I was served the tea set. The handmade scones were fresh and delicious, and the service was good and welcoming throughout. The tea set also included sandwiches, desserts, and a choice of coffee or tea — all well prepared, nicely presented, and filling. It felt like the perfect balance between a traditional English tea and a relaxed river journey. Afterwards, I went up to the top deck. If the weather is good, I highly recommend sitting outside — the views of the River Thames are absolutely amazing and it is such a peaceful way to spend the afternoon. The whole cruise was very well organised, with enough time to enjoy both the food and the scenery without feeling rushed. For future visitors, it’s worth knowing that the river cruise only runs once a month and you need to reserve in advance as spaces are limited. On normal weekends, the barge stays in its usual spot on the river and serves a special weekend menu, so you can still enjoy eating on the boat even if there is no cruise that day. Overall, this was a wonderful and memorable experience — great food, friendly service, and beautiful river views. A lovely way to spend a couple of hours by the water in Reading. Highly recommended!

   almost 4 months ago
2. Joe LO ★★★★★

   This is a perfect place for family and friends gathering. The service is tip top, friendly and welcoming. The owner always has something interesting to share with. The beverage is brilliant. I am in love with their Hong Kong style milk tea. I have yet tried their milk tea with red bean favor. I will make sure it’s on my checklist for next visit. 100% recommend to everyone love chilling out by the river!

   almost 5 months ago
3. Aro UK ★★★★★

   A wonderful riverside café with a peaceful atmosphere and stunning views of the water. I loved sitting by the river, enjoying the breeze while sipping their freshly brewed coffee. Delicious food with fresh ingredients—everything tasted homemade and full of flavour The staff were friendly and made me feel very welcome. Perfect spot to relax, chat with friends. Definitely a place I’d love to come back to again.

   almost 5 months ago

1. Johannes ★★★★★

   Good tea, friendly staff and nice atmosphere As a group of nine, we made a reservation, which is highly recommended. We went in the afternoon to have tea and scones. The tea was served in beautiful pots and was at the right temperature. The scones with clotted cream and jam were very delicious.

   almost 3 years ago
2. Candy “yoyo” Y ★★★★★

   It s wonderful experience in my first barge trip. Amazing tea with the delicious home made scones and desserts. Especially the chocolate is tasty so smooth and soft. Definitely will go again!!!

   almost 3 years ago
3. Liz Wilson ★★★★★

   What a wonderful experience. I booked the barge for my daughters hen party and I couldn't have been happier . From beginning to end we felt welcomed and that nothing was too much trouble. We had afternoon tea and it was delightful! The owners had only taken the barge over the week before yet they were well organised.. thank you so much for making Holly's Day wonderful .

   almost 3 years ago

1. Rashid Al-Yahyai ★★★★★

   Great location, coffee & chocolates Serving a variety of snacks & you will have to enjoy your hot cup of coffee along the Thames river. Ducks & swans add to the beauty of the location. You choose to site outside or in the Barge, since it is open in the weekends, it can be a bit busy inside but the world is yours outside ☕️

   almost 3 years ago
2. Andrew Taylor ★★★★★

   We hired the barge for a birthday celebration. Lesley and Andrew couldn't have been more accommodating, communicating well throughout and helping us tailor the afternoon to our requirements. As there's a restriction on their licence as to how many people can go on a cruise at a time, we split our party in two for trips either side of everyone gathering for a moored-up afternoon tea. The food was delicious, tea very tasty (as one might expect from a tea barge!) and the barge so beautifully appointed. It felt really special and personal. We had a number of young children who were causing various amounts of havoc, but nothing fazed Lesley and Andrew - it was all so relaxed and happy.

   almost 3 years ago

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