5 Traditional British Puddings You Must Try
There are some culinary traditions that deserve to be savoured slowly, with the kind of reverence usually reserved for rare wines or priceless works of art. The British pudding is one of them. Steaming, sticky, sometimes spongy, often nostalgic, puddings are the sweet punctuation marks in the story of a proper British meal.
At the heart of Mickleton, Gloucestershire, the Three Ways House Hotel is the proud home of the world-famous Pudding Club®, an ode to these comforting classics. It’s a celebration that’s part theatre, part feast, where the humble pudding is elevated to centre stage, and guests happily applaud (and devour) the stars of the show. If you’re plotting a stay in the Cotswolds, this is one of those experiences that easily earns a place on your “must do” list.
Book the pudding club experience
And so, here’s a guide to five traditional British puddings you simply must try, ideally in the very dining room where the Pudding Club’s delicious legacy was born.
1. Sticky Toffee Pudding
It’s the sweet equivalent of a warm hug. Dense sponge cake made with finely chopped dates, drenched in glossy toffee sauce, and served with either cream, custard or ice cream, sometimes all three if you’re feeling daring. In the Pudding Club, it often wins a standing ovation. This isn’t just dessert; it’s nostalgia on a plate, and it’s easy to see why it’s consistently voted one of Britain’s favourites.
2. Spotted Dick
The name may raise eyebrows (or giggles) for visitors unfamiliar with its history, but this is pure pudding heritage. The “spots” are currants or raisins scattered throughout the suet sponge, while “dick” is thought to be a dialect word for pudding. Steamed to perfection and served with a generous ladle of custard, it’s a pudding that embodies the sturdy, satisfying nature of British comfort food.
3. Treacle Sponge Pudding
Golden syrup is the hero here, infusing the light, airy sponge with a caramel-like richness that clings to your fork in the most tempting way. Traditionally steamed, it’s the sort of pudding that arrives at the table glistening, the kind of dessert you pause to admire before diving in. For those staying at the Three Ways House Hotel, this is a must-order moment.
4. Jam Roly-Poly
If British school dinners of the mid-20th century had a sweetheart, it would be this. Rolled suet pastry filled with jam, baked until golden, and sliced into spirals of sweet, sticky delight. Served with custard (because in Britain, custard is less of an option and more of a law), it’s a charming throwback that still has plenty of fans. In the Pudding Club, you’ll see smiles spread around the room the moment this one is announced.
5. Syrup Sponge Pudding
A cousin to the treacle sponge but unapologetically sweet in its own right, syrup sponge pudding is another steamed wonder. The syrup seeps through every inch of the sponge, creating that melt-in-the-mouth texture. It’s proof that sometimes the simplest recipes, flour, eggs, butter, sugar, syrup – create the most lasting impressions.
Beyond the Pudding Bowl
While the Pudding Club may be the star attraction, the Three Ways House Hotel offers far more than an evening of sweet indulgence. As one of the most inviting places to eat in the Cotswolds, it’s a favourite with both overnight guests and passing travellers. Think cosy interiors, friendly service, and a menu that showcases the best of seasonal British fare, with puddings always given the attention they deserve.
And once you’ve had your fill, Mickleton becomes your gateway to exploring the surrounding treasures.
Broadway Tower
The Ritual of the Pudding Club Experience
Attending the Pudding Club at the Three Ways House Hotel is more than a dinner, it’s a ritual. Proceedings begin with a light main course (so as not to spoil your appetite), followed by the grand parade of puddings, each announced with the kind of pomp usually reserved for royalty. Guests are encouraged to try as many as they can manage, with second helpings enthusiastically approved.
It’s this combination of theatricality, tradition, and sheer indulgence that has drawn pudding enthusiasts from across the globe for decades. In a world where desserts are often photographed more than they’re eaten, the Pudding Club reminds us that the greatest joy comes from the eating.
Book the pudding club experience
A Sweet Conclusion
British puddings are more than just desserts, they’re edible history, a comforting constant in an ever-changing culinary world. And there’s no better place to explore them than at the Three Ways House Hotel in Mickleton, Gloucestershire, where the Pudding Club keeps the flame (or rather, the custard) alive.
So, whether you’re seeking things to do in Chipping Campden, hunting for the most memorable places to eat in the Cotswolds, or simply craving a taste of tradition, let this be your sign: book that table, loosen your belt, and prepare for a truly sweet escape.
