Sally Lunn's Buns

When I was researching Bath, England for our trip, I came across a place called Sally Lunn's. It was touted for its original "famous" Bath buns served in the oldest house in Bath. According to legend, a young Huguenot refugee – Solange Luyon – came to Bath in 1680 after escaping persecution in France. She found work in the kitchen of the bakery in the street known in those days as Lilliput Alley. Originally she sold the baker’s wares from a basket in the lanes around Bath Abbey. Solange – who, due to her colleagues unfamiliarity with French pronunciation, became known as Sally Lunn – soon began baking a rich, generous brioche bun similar to the French festival breads that she would have been so familiar with before she fled France. The bun quickly became a very popular delicacy in Georgian England. It can be be enjoyed with either sweet or savory accompaniments.

It was indeed an old house, with a step down to enter (we managed, but they do have a ramp if needed) and low ceilings. From what I read, the ground floor has the feel of the 1600's, the first floor has the feel of the mid 1700's, and the second floor has the feel of the 1800's.

I found it quaint, cozy, cute, relaxing. We were seated right next to a window so the late afternoon shone in dimly. There were so many yummy sounding bun toppings I was having a hard time deciding. My mom opted for Beau Nash Afternoon Treat: half a toasted Sally Lunn bun topped with our milk chocolate butter, served with a Baileys coffee:

Baileys Coffee

She said her coffee was tasty and her bun was really good, so good she wished she had room for another half a bun:

Bun topped with milk chocolate butter

I had a taste of hers and it was really good, sweet and chocolaty.

SP & I opted for the Afternoon Tea treats.  Earl Grey tea for me, Russian Caravan tea for SP:

For SP, Queen Victoria’s Tea: tea and half a toasted Sally Lunn Bun served with lemon curd and lots of Ivy house clotted cream:

It was really lemony and tasty but I'm not sure I could have eaten that much tart lemony goodness. He had no problems finishing it.

I chose Sally Lunn Cream Tea: tea & half a toasted & buttered Sally Lunn Bun served with strawberry jam and lots of Ivy House clotted cream. The clotted cream was the thickest, most indulgent cream I've ever been served. It was so good! The jam was excellent, too. The buns are huge but they are squishy and light and a bit sweet. It was an excellent late afternoon treat, but I had to have SP help me finish my bun!

We all loved our time at Sally Lunn's. The employees were very friendly and helpful. They kept our teapots filled. The buns were tasty. I would have liked to be able to try a savory bun, too, like the Welsh Rarebit one, or the Roast Vegetable bun, or a dinner bun like the Beef in Red Wine (British beef braised in red wine, mushroom & smoked bacon sauce) or Duck Leg (cooked slowly and served with a tangy orange and cinnamon sauce).

If you're in Bath, definitely try a Sally Lunn bun. If we are ever back in Bath, we'll definitely be stopping by for a bun or two... or more.