Family-run. Independent.
Quintessentially British.
First established in 2013.
The perfect antidote to the high street coffee chains.

Join us for breakfast, coffee, lunch, or indulgent afternoon tea....

Alison, Gil and the whole Cockburn's team invite you to escape the 21st century in our quintessentially British tea rooms.

We're committed to locally-sourced produce, homemade food, friendly service and a relaxed, timeless atmosphere.

If you can't visit in person, you can buy our cookies, bakes and afternoon teas online and enjoy the great taste of Cockburn's at home.

Gift vouchers are also available if you'd like to give a special person the gift of choosing from the whole Cockburn's range.

Gil Cockburn

Baking has been a passion since my childhood so running Cockburn's Tearooms with Alison is a dream come true. During the day you'll find me running the tearooms. By night though I join Alison in the kitchen, hard at work on the baking.

Childhood memory: Baking with Mum! My brother and I grew up baking alongside Alison, getting some of the best 'on the job training' you can imagine.

Favourite bake: Tough choice.... I really enjoy making the big round cakes and coming up with new flavour combinations. But my absolute favourite has to be the cookies. Any type, any style. I love baking them!

Alison Cockburn

I originally trained as a chef and, for a long time, ran a catering business providing food for weddings, parties and businesses. When Gil suggested opening a tearoom together, I jumped at the chance and realised a long time dream. I'm usually to be found behind the scenes, baking the delicious cakes that Cockburn's has on offer.

Childhood memory: spending weekends in London and going to Lyons Corner House, and restaurants in Piccadilly Circus and Covent Garden in the evenings. The atmosphere, lovely food and bright lights made a big impression in the grey post war days. That's when I knew that creating and serving food for people to enjoy was what I wanted to do.

Favourite bake: Scones! Despite working out that we've made over 90,000 since Cockburn's first opened its doors!

A lane, a pub, a sadler's, a shop and now a tearoom....

History

Our building is on the site of what used to be Mincing Lane. It's had many identities over the years - in the 1790s, when Arundel was a port, it used to be a pub. It's also been a sadler's and an antique shop.

Now, of course, it's Cockburn's Tearooms. It's traditional, a little quirky, has bags of character, and we couldn't love it more.

Oh, and the cockerel in our logo is inspired by the Cockburn's family crest!

We stopped here on our way to Gatwick for a holiday, and I can honestly say it’s my favourite tea shop in the world. We enjoyed a lovely Earl Grey tea and a delicious vegan coffee & walnut cake, all while surrounded by charming Downton Abbey–style lampshades. The atmosphere was simply wonderful. My husband and I will happily make special trips to visit whenever we can. We live on the Isle of Wight and are already planning to return on March 26!

Bev G

Light refreshment following intense shopping. I'm a tea lover, so was in complete heaven over the choice; my friend drinks coffee. She said hers was great. I chose a completely new tea and loved it. We were a little peckish, so shared a millionaire's shortbread, and it was divine. I will be back to try more different teas - and time it better so there's room for the lovely looking cakes.

Helen B

I really do love the vibe at ‘Cockburn’s Tea Rooms’ which is why I thought it a great choice to treat my daughter and friend. We had afternoon tea and endless cups of tea. The staff kept popping up to see if everything was ok i us which was lovely. It was perfect and comes highly recommended.
Couldn’t help but to buy some flake cookies, coffee cake and brownies to take home. Just a perfect day. Thank you for a lovely afternoon ❤️

Marie P

Excellent lunch. Lucky to get a table downstairs. Had tuna jacket potatoes which were excellent. Little side salad with nice touch small jug of dressing on side. Couldn't resist sharing a bakewell cake. Tea served in china cups and leaf tea in teapot. Altogether excellent experience with great service.

Erica L