Famous in the novels of Jane Austen and (for devotees of modern Regency romances)Georgette Heyer, the Pump Room was once the heart of Bath, where wealthy and titled invalids came to socialize as they took the waters.
It''s not such a social lynchpin now, but the Pump Room still serves refreshments to Bath''s many visitors--light meals, snacks, and afternoon tea, all of which are far more substantial (and appealing) than the spa water which it originally purveyed.
Afternoon tea (served from 2 PM to close) is the best time to come here. The tea isn''t cheap--it runs about $12-$15, but it''s a good value. The Pump Room Tea consists of a pot of tea, finger sandwiches, hot scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam (mmmm--scones), and your choice of a tart or slice of cake. If you''re feeling really decadent, add a glass of champagne for about $4. All this food can easily take the place of dinner.
The room is very attractive, with a bay window overlooking the medieval bath, neo-classical plasterwork, and an apse at one end where a pianist usually plays in the afternoon.
Alas, tables that fill the space now prevent you from taking the refreshing turn about the room that Anne Elliot took in Persuasion, but you can still be like Anne and have a glass of naturally warm spa water for for 75p. And if you can''t stick around for tea or that healthful glass of H2O, you can get Bath Buns and pastries to go.