The traditional:

You can’t get much more British than John Lewis, and, judging by the assembly of regulars (discerning pensioners and mummies craving yummies) pots of English breakfast served just as it should be, sandwiches with crusts suitably snipped, and scones warmed to the perfect temperature, the Brasserie has nailed it to an art. If you haven’t the time to join the ladies of leisure and make an afternoon of it, the items are sold individually in the espresso bar next door. Alternatively, if you don’t mind the company of camera-clad tourists, then Auntie’s is known for its quintessentially British style: think waitresses in black dresses with white aprons, and tables laid with dainty lace cloths. Harriet’s has the same olde-worlde charm without the crowds: try their champagne afternoon tea and resist the temptation to have a tipsy spin on their gorgeous grand piano…

 

The escape: 

If you’re keen to break out of the bubble - and find solace in more bubbles - Peacocks Tearoom in Ely offers a champagne afternoon tea that’s just the thing. With over a hundred teas to choose from, it might provide the Dutch courage needed just to work your way through the menu. Ely is a delightful train trip away, but for those seeking an adventure within Cambridge itself, brace yourself for an appetite-inducing walk up to Gog Magog Hills Farm Shop and Café, where the selection of homemade cakes and savoury goodies will soon rejuvenate tired legs – it’s easy to get carried away though: you may end up having to roll back downhill afterwards.

 

The exotic: 

Sweet teeth will rejoice at Cristine Pâtisserie, a Brazilian-inspired café with a selection of truffle-sized brigadeiros and beijinhos small enough to justify getting a whopping slice of carrot cake, coconut pudding or tres leches cake as well. Alternatively, spice up your afternoon with a slice of Jamaican ginger cake from the T & S Foods stall at Cambridge market, where rum-soaked banana breads, gooey mango cookies and coconut rock cakes go at rock-bottom prices, which, when combined with the Thomas the Jamaican vendor’s cheeky compliments, make them impossible to refuse.

 

The cultured:

Orchard Tea Garden was the oasis of choice for Rupert Brooke; follow his legacy and compose poetry over home-baked scones in the gorgeous gardens. If the weather doesn’t favour an outdoor picnic, snuggle up in an antique leather sofa in front of a roaring fire at Hotel du Vin, where tea can be taken in the company of cases of ancient tomes that guests are welcome to peruse. For an even more informative experience, every Saturday the Cambridge & County Folk Museum serves homemade cakes on vintage crockery in a quaint little room, the perfect pick-me-up after exploring the museum’s fascinating collection of items related to local history.

 

The pushed for time:

For an on-the-run cake fix, The Little Cupcake Company’s stand in the Grand Arcade can box up one of their creations, whether it’s their indulgent rocky road (piled high with marshmallows and drizzled with chocolate fudge icing) or an animal-themed cupcake that looks almost, but not quite, too good to eat. If you’re in luck, you might come across Tom’s Cakes on a day when Tom the baker is visiting Cambridge market. Seasonal goodies like rhubarb and custard for spring, fragrant lavender for summer and parsnips, pumpkin and ginger for winter will have you coming back for more all year round.