Coffee Shops with a Difference 
http://www.cosycoffeeshops.co.uk/
A fascination of mine is coffee shops set in creative environments.
Over the past thirty years or so of international travelling, I have seen quite a few of them. The ones that stand out are those which are customer-friendly and have ingenious add-on sectors. One in South Africa has a magnificent art-gallery as part of the shop. Another in the UK has a highly creative art-store promoting works by local artists and craftsmen. It also hosts a very comprehensive range of craft supplies and an intriguing timber sales centre.
Another favourite of mine is on Victoria Railway Station, tucked away in a less frequented area of the complex, close to Platform 1. It is a Starbucks I use for meeting overseas folk who are transitting through London. Everyone seems to be able to find Victoria Station which has good travel connections in all directions. The inside of the coffee shop is comfortably furnished and lends a casual atmosphere to ones conversation. In warm weather, the outside tables provide a good setting too.
An excellent discovery has been The Monks Yard, just off the A303 road, near Ilminster, in the UK - a major route to the South West of the UK. This coffee shop is artistically hosted in the old calving shed on a remodelled farm. It is part of a professional business complex and events venue highlighted elsewhere in Short-on-Ideas.
Hotel coffee shops can also be delightful locations to spend an hour or two. I've found them excellent for catching up on my thoughts and computer work, especially in bustling mega-cities in tropical climes. They provide a safe and friendly atmosphere in which to work or wait.
A recent discovery is a chain of coffee shops called The Boston Tea Party. The one I have visited a couple of time is in Bristol and has many of the welcoming features one looks for in such places. The staff are friendly and thinking with, if not, for the customer. The decor is pleasant and restful with a variety of seating arrangements to suit different needs of the customers whether it is a quick coffee en route, or a business discussion or a more relaxed sofa-type location. http://www.bostonteaparty.co.uk/
Of course, if you are a coffee connoisseur then perhaps the atmosphere or service are not so important. If all the factors are there, quality food and beverages, thoughtful staff and delightful ambience, then I guess it is indeed a special experience.
A wonderful source of information and evaluations of coffee shops in the north of the UK is called Cosy Coffee Shops. Really recommend you visit their site above. http://www.cosycoffeeshops.co.uk/
I have really enjoyed visiting a fresh initiative Tea Room that also serves coffee of course. It is set in a delightful, community-spirited village called East Coker, quite close to the Somerset Town of Yeovil.
"Come and join us at East Coker Tearooms for that special cup of coffee or tea. Maybe something light to eat is what you have in mind. Personal service and peaceful surrounding are the order of the day. All our youngsters are here on Lufton College's work experience/life skills program and everyone who visits goes away knowing that they have participated in something really worthwhile. Below are some quotes from their website.
With the changes made at the Lufton Coffee Shop in Autumn 2009 it was decided to expand the East Coker Tearooms, allowing the students to be involved in providing a community service to those who live in or visit the East Coker area. The reaction is always amazing when customers realise that they are part of a 'classroom' situation and how valuable their participation is. Benefits for the students are immense and the understanding gained by the customer is immeasurable.
Our specialist services enable people with a learning disability to develop the skills they need to lead fulfilling lives through MENCAP http://www.mencap.org.uk/ "
This is a discovery worth making. One evening while driving through the village of East Coker I noticed, out of the corner of my eye, a coffee shop/ tea room and made a mental note to return and explore it. What a wonderful discovery it was too. Bright, cheerful, well set out with plenty to enjoy for all. Paintings to admire and buy, decorative pottery, maps and guides for the locality plus all home-made food. Well worth a visit. Am making a monthly visit to enjoy a light lunch. Can be good to avoid main meal times if you like to eat inside. There are overspill picnic tables outside but it is more comfortable inside.
Open Monday - Friday 9am -4pm
http://eastcokertearooms.co.uk/default.aspx
Greens Cafe
After having a lengthy potter in my favourite charity book shop, it was delightful to find an excellent venue for a light lunch just a few doors away on Oxford's St Giles street. Greens Café is a bright, friendly cafe in a charming row of historic buildings. It offers an extensive range of take-away food as well as an eat-in option and although my friend and I had met for lunch, we could just as easily have popped in for a pre-shopping breakfast to set us up for the day, or a coffee and cake during the morning to sustain us.
We sat upstairs in one of two pleasant, simply decorated rooms, where two squashy sofas framing a fireplace give a homely atmosphere. We ordered our food at the counter downstairs and it was brought up to us very speedily. I chose the Special, a healthy Greek Salad, and my friend went for the 'Vegetable Gratin'. Both were delicious and my friend, in particular, enjoyed the coleslaw that came with her meal.
There is wide range of soft drinks to choose from, as well as excellent coffee. Having had such healthy main courses we treated ourselves to cakes, a lemon and poppy seed muffin for me and a slice of caramel shortbread for my friend.
Choosing had been difficult. There are warm and "cool" baguette sandwiches with mouth-watering fillings such as 'Roast Beef, Mustard and Watercress' or 'Brie and Onion Marmalade', or hot meals like 'Home Made Free Range Thai Curried Chicken on Organic Wholegrain Rice'. The range of cakes even included gluten free polenta shortbread. The aforementioned breakfast menu is particularly tempting, with 'Smoked Salmon, Cream Cheese and Cucumber on a Bagel' and 'Muesli with Berries and Greek Yoghurt'. And then there is a range of ice cream, smoothies and milkshakes!
Marcelo and his wife Fabiana, the new Brazilian proprietors, are using as many organic and fair trade products as possible and this is well reflected in the menu. Greens Café particularly lives up to its name by providing recycling bins for diners upstairs for cans, plastic, glass and compost waste.
Many of the customers, perhaps from Oxford's student and academic community, bring their laptops along with them and who can blame them, with free WiFi and, at some tables, the opportunity to plug into the mains supply. Greens offers a refreshing alternative to the many chain cafes which abound in all towns these days and I will certainly be returning with my PC, to relax, write and enjoy the coffee and excellent, affordable food.
Reviewed by Helen Reid
While in Oxford for a weekend of meetings, I called in to explore this excellent coffee shop. As time was limited, I did not stay to have refreshment but certainly recommend it. Helen's review also endorses it.
STARBUCKS
What's in a Starbucks store? There's so much more than you first might think, particularly from a store designer's point of view.
Our stores, big and small, play host to countless interactions between ordinary people living out their lives every single day of the week. The fantastic thing about Starbucks is that we don't have a door policy - everyone is welcome in our stores allowing these real life moments to be played out over a coffee. And by that I mean it's the stuff that we've all been through in our lives. It might be that first date, it could be that interview for a dream job, or it could be where you catch up with an old friend you haven't seen for years. Relationships will break up in our stores and marriage proposals will happen, inspiration will be sought while gazing out our windows for emails, homework or book writing all in the name of time out. Think about it, so many of us have lived out key moments of our lives with a Starbucks coffee in our hands.
As part of the Starbucks design team, I'm very conscious of all of these things that take place in our stores. We're very mindful when designing a store that we make it comfortable and relaxing for the people that use it. We're creating stores that really do fit around the lives of the people using them as well as fitting into the local neighbourhood. Reflecting on a couple of our most recent projects, we're proud of our stores and how they're already become part of people's lives in both communities.
When meeting people in London particularly, I have found that Starbucks are one of the most convenient and practical locations to entertain folk. They are well set up and everyone can find them. The one I use most is at London Victoria Train Station. It is right inside and not so crowded as some of the other outlets. It also has comfortable seating to catch up with friends old and new. Do hope you have time to check out their excellent website and even read the book on the Starbuck Story as per advert below. [Editor]
Vintage Fair 
Vintage Fair was born from a mutual love of glossy magazines and regular discussions of a 'lifestyle fantasy'.
Having discovered The Stables in Market Street in Yeovil town centre we felt this was perfect to meet our "fantasy". We decided to combine our many and diverse skills to create a hub for good local food and the arts. Angela has a career history in catering and excellent customer service and Alison is a qualified teacher with a love of all things creative. We want to show you how to make do and mend, to save money and the planet.
Our Ethos
Our central focus is based on 'Make do and mend'.
We have a strong, green ethos at the heart of our business. We want to help people to become resourceful in times of recession, encouraging recycling and waste reduction. Wherever possible, we use reclaimed and recycled materials. We want to achieve a low carbon footprint, and aim to do this by using predominantly local suppliers and encouraging cyclists with a bike rack in the courtyard. We have a non smoking policy in Vintage Fair inside and outside in the Courtyard.
http://www.vintagefair.net/home
Boston Tea Party ~ Award winning West Country cafe chain
Established in 1996 we are a family owned award-winning small West Country café chain who pride ourselves on serving outstanding coffee & tea as well as creating delicious, feel good & affordable meals. Our ethics are incredibly important to us & to the running of our cafés. We aim to source ethically sound products from local suppliers & we use only free range meat & eggs in our meals. All our milk is 100% organic & we offer either fairly traded or 'relationship' coffee. We are of course very family friendly.
We aim to be the antithesis of the homogenised high street dining experience & we operate today on the same principles that were established when Boston Tea Party first opened its doors - to operate fairly, to offer high quality local products at affordable prices & to employ an informed, intelligent & committed workforce.
Boston Tea Party cafés have become more than just places to grab a coffee & a slice of cake. They have grown into social hubs where many specialist groups & enthusiasts meet, from charities, to commerce, to church groups. We encourage people to use our notice boards as a means to promote their businesses, to advertise upcoming local events & to use the café to exhibit or perform their art. We continually strive to support a range of charities, from local community projects to international appeals, by raising funds, allowing our premises to be used & by participating in events.
http://www.bostonteaparty.co.uk/
Last week I had the privilege to check out the Boston Tea Party cafe in Salisbury, UK. It was excellent and lives up to the chain's reputation for sure. The historic building which they have chosen dates back to 1300's. A wonderful location to have a coffee or snack with friends or the whole family. Full of intriguing nooks and crannies..... Editor
The Fairfield Coffee Shop, Mongolia
The Fairfield Guesthouse is the haven you have been dreaming of as you have travelled Mongolia! Espresso coffee, hot showers, laundry service, sit-down flushing toilets, cappuccinos, clean rooms, hot chocolate, english speaking staff, espresso coffee ... and did we mention 'real' coffee!
The Fairfield Guesthouse has two or three bed rooms, a meeting room, secure storage for luggage, pushbikes and vehicles. Our 24 hour reception can assist you at any time. Do you need us to book your bus tickets to another destination, arrange your horse-riding adventure, 4wd tour, a soak in the local hot springs, or a guide for your next amazing escapade? Our English -speaking staff can assist!
"When I was shown to my room, I stood at the door and burst into tears - it was the first truly clean room I had seen in weeks. Basic, but beautiful!" Guest Comment
http://www.fairfield.mn/Fairfield_Guesthouse_Cafe_and_Bakery/Welcome.html
The Sanctuary Coffee Shop and Chapter House Books 
What a treasure house of formerly used books. Last year at stock-take time there were some 38,000 volumes. The whole premises is an Aladin's Cave of books on all subjects. It is full of nooks and crannies and all are delightfully full of a huge range of titles. They also send books through the post using a website link.
Well worth exploring at leisure…
However, there is more. Once you have traversed the labrynth of iinviting bookshelves then you discover a quaint coffee shop with a seculded courtyard. Just right for the sunny days….
Although small in size, the service and ambience are generous and welcoming. It is a refreshing environment to enjoy a pot of tea, mug of coffee or light snacks.
http://www.chapterhouse-books.co.uk
Explore it yourself…..
Global Nomad.
Still searching for other coffee shops of character......
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