The Ultimate Guide to Cat Cafes in the UK

One thing I love doing on my travels is finding cat cafes so I can have a cup of coffee with some furry felines. Cat cafes may have started in Taiwan but they are now hugely popular all over the world.

The UK is home to many cat cafes that people are unaware of which is why I’ve created this list to show off all the different cat cafes in the UK. Whether you’re looking for cat cafes in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland, this list has you covered!

 

Are Cat Cafes Ethical?

This question has been thrown around a lot recently and it depends on the individual. Many believe it’s wrong to visit a cat cafe but I personally don’t see them as a bad thing. Cat Cafes are run by people who love cats and that is why each cafe has rules in place to make sure the cat’s needs come first.

A lot of cat cafes work with local shelters to get rescue cats into their forever homes and most of them work with local animal charities which in my opinion makes them a good thing. But at the end of the day it’s a personal decision and if you are uncomfortable by cat cafes then you are completely allowed to not visit.

If you love cats and want to support cafes and shelters the best thing to do is look to see if the cafe is a good one. A good cat cafe will have rules which are enforced to ensure the customers and cats are mingling in a way that suits the cats needs. I’ve been to many cat cafes around the world and have always found the staff to be extremely devoted to the cats, who always seem to be living their best lives.

 

What To Expect From Cat Cafes

If you’ve never visited a cat cafe before you may not be sure what to expect. The first thing to mention is that cat cafes have rules and each cafe’s rules will be slightly different.

Usually there is an entrance fee. This is for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it helps the cafe support and care for the cats they home and it also stops people from just coming in without buying anything. Without the customers purchases, the cat cafes wouldn’t be able to look after the felines we love so much.

Depending on which cafe you visit you might be required to purchase at least one drink or you may be charged for the amount of time you spend there. There will be rules at the front and on the websites so make sure you check these out.

The most important thing to remember is that cats are well cats. They sleep for hours and don’t like to be forced to play. Make sure you never wake a sleep cat, pull it’s tail or force it to come to you. Cats are independent. If they want to see you they will, if not you’ll have to watch and love them from afar.

 

Cat Cafes in England

You may be surprised to know that there are cat cafes all across England from the South to the North. Is there one near you? Find out in the list below!

 

Bedford Cat Cafe (Bedford)

At Bedford Cat Cafe they believe cats are simply amazing. Not only because they are cuddly fluff balls but because they provide emotional support for humans too. That’s why they created a happy and safe space for their resident cats while inviting humans in to enjoy their company. They aim to help promote adoption and encourage people to take in ‘overlooked’ cats.

87 High Street, Bedford, MK40 1NE – Website

 

Kitty Cafe (Birmingham)

After the success of the Nottingham and Leeds cafe, the owners started a new cat cafe in the heart of  Birmingham cafe at the Grand Central Station. With cute cats, good food and happy people, what’s not to love about this cafe! The cafe was designed with the cats in mind, with open spaces and lots of kitty toys. And for the humans there are comfy sofas to relax while enjoying the feline companions.

Unit 12, Grand Central, Stephenson Place, Birmingham B2 4BF – Website

 

Pause Cat Cafe (Bournemouth)

When Jaya met Rooney, a timid cat in need of a home, her life was changed forever. Pause Cat Cafe is a place for people to experience the healing serenity of being around cats while also being a loving home for cats who have not found their ‘forever home’ yet. Pause Cat Cafe offers a fun place for cats to climb, play, show off to humans and have catnaps.

119 Old Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, BH1 1EP – Website

 

You & Meow (Bristol)

Unfortunately due to Covid-19, You & Meow is now permanently closed

 

Cat Village North (Chesterfield)

Cat Village North provides a peaceful oasis in a cafe setting shared with the company of beautiful rescue cats. The cats are also used as therapy cats and there are a selection of fun based animal assisted activities on offer.

208-210 North Wingfield Road, Chesterfield, S42 5ED – Website

 

Lady T’s Curious Cats (Derby)

Unfortunately Curious Cats, formerly known as Lady T’s, is now permanently closed

 

Pawsome Cat Cafe (Durham)

Pawsome Cat Cafe is home to resident and rescue cats. Their mission is to ensure all felines are always happy and healthy and plan to rehome as many rescue cats as they can. The cafe provides a safe and fun environment for the cats and offers customers a comforting space to unwind. 

7 North Road, Durham, DH1 4SH – Website

 

Darling Darling Cat Lounge (Great Yarmouth)

Darling Darling is a quirky, retro themed coffee and claims to be the only cat cafe in the world who’ve trained therapy cats. They want to bring cats into people’s lives who may not be fortunate enough to benefit from the healing they bring.

57A Marine Parade, Great Yarmouth Seafront, NR30 2EJ – Website

 

The Cosy Cat Cafe (Herne Bay)

Due to covid-19, The Cosy Cat Cafe have had to shut their doors but thanks to the generosity of customers they have been successful with a Gofundme campaign. Right now it is unsure if this means they will be able to reopen their door but we keep our fingers crossed for the future.

28 William Street, Herne Bay, CT6 5EQ – Website

 

Catisfaction (Hull)

Unfortunately Catisfaction is now permanently closed

 

Kitty Cafe (Leeds)

After the success of the Nottingham cafe, the owners decided to start up a second cat cafe in Leeds. They transformed a beautiful old building in the town into a paradise. With cute cats, good food and happy people, what’s not to love about this cafe! The cafe was designed with the cats in mind, with open spaces and lots of kitty toys. And for the humans there are comfy sofas to relax while enjoying the feline companions.

8-9 Kirkgate, Leeds, LS1 6BZ – Website

 

Kitty Cafe (Leicester)

After the success of the Nottingham, Leeds and Birmingham cafe, the owners will soon be opening up a new cat cafe in Leicester.

Coming soon! – Website

 

Coffee Cats (Lincoln)

Coffee cats it currently closed while they move location and should reopen in September

12 The Strait, Lincoln, LN2 1 JD – Website

 

Cat Cafe (Liverpool)

Cat Cafe is on a mission to make people feel better and they believe cats can help us physically, mentally and emotionally. Domesticated pets require around the clock care and attention that many people just can’t offer. Cat Cafe is here to bridge the gap for cat loving humans who can’t have pets themselves.

10 Bold Street, Liverpool, L1 4DS – Website

 

Java Whiskers (London)

After the success of their Stockholm Cat Cafe, Java Whiskers opened up a second cat cafe in London’s Marylebone. They are the purrfect place for cat lovers to ‘paws’ and watch the world go by. Their core mission is to raise the public awareness of homeless cats and the importance of adoption.

105 Great Portland Street, Marylebone, London, W1W 6QF – Website

 

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium (London)

Most residents of London are renters which means they can’t keep pets. Thankfully Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium opened up as London’s first cat cafe to give locals and visitors a chance for some much needed cat time. It’s a great place to escape the worries of everyday life and spend some time with cute rescue cats.

152-154 Bethnal Green Road, London, E2 6DG – Website

 

This Is A Coffee Shop (London)

Unfortunately This is a Coffee Shop, formerly known as London Cat Village, is now permanently closed

 

Whiskers and Cream (London)

Cat cafes are hugely successful all over the world and Whiskers and Cream brings a more upmarket, luxury cat cafe. Whiskers and Creams offers guests a place to de-stress and relax in an elegant home with beautiful cats. They also offer award winning teas and the finest light bites.

593 Holloway Road, London, N19 4DJ – Website

 

Cat Cafe (Manchester)

Unfortunately Cat Cafe is now permanently closed

 

CatPawCino (Newcastle)

Located on the beautiful Quayside of Newcastle, CatPawCino offers a place to help ease the stresses of everyday life. As well as the 8 resident cats, they also look after rescue cats from Friendz Feline. The light, airy cafe is a great environment for the cats as well as a relaxing space for the humans.

77 Quayside, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 3DE – Website

 

Mog on The Tyne (Newcastle)

Mog on the Tyne was Newcastle’s first cat cafe and located right in the city centre. When it came to the design of the cafe, a lot of research was done to ensure both the cat family and customers have the best experience. The food at Mog on the Tyne is locally sourced and bought fresh on a daily basis with cakes created by Pet Lamb Patisserie.

24 Pudding Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1UE – Website

 

Cool For Cats Cafe (Newton Abbots)

The UK’s first ever cat cafe was originally based in Totnes but when the cafe closed the cats relocated to Cool For Cats Cafe, a cat cafe with a difference. Rather than take the cats to the cafe in Totnes, the owners decided to have the location at the cat’s home instead. So rather than the traditional cafe setting, Cool For Cats Cafe is a feline therapy lounge.

Moorview Farm, Denbury Road, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ12 6BZ – Website

 

Kitty Cafe (Nottingham)

The original Kitty Cafe was started in Nottingham and prides itself on being a family friendly venue that is fully wheelchair accessible. With cute cats, good food and happy people, what’s not to love about this cafe! The cafe was designed with the cats in mind, with open spaces and lots of kitty toys. And for the humans there are comfy sofas to relax while enjoying the feline companions.

31-37 Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6DD – Website

 

Tabby Teas Cat Cafe (Sheffield)

Tabby Teas Cat Cafe aims to provide a relaxing and calming environment for both customers and cats to enjoy each other’s company. They work with 2 local charities to ensure they select the right cats for the cafe life, ensuring all cats are happy there.

7 Cemetery Road, Sheffield, S11 8FJ – Website

 

Willows Cat Cafe (South Shields)

Willows is a small but caring shelter so a perfect spot for a cat cafe. If you’re looking to adopt, it’s a great chance to get to know the furry felines or just a great place for animal lovers to hang out with cute kitties.

1A Wantage Street, South Shields, NE33 4RY – Website

 

Shakespaw Cat Cafe (Stratford upon Avon)

Located just 3 minutes from Shakespeare’s Birthplace is the Midland’s first cat cafe. They strive to provide a comfortable and homely environment for both the humans and the cats. They work with a small local pet rescue to help house, home and socialise as many needy kitties as they can.

6 Union Street, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 6QT – Website

READ ALSO: Visiting Shakespaw Cat Cafe

 

Paws Cat Cafe (Tonbridge)

Paws Cat Cafe is a comfy cafe for you to relax and enjoy socialising with the resident feline friends. It’s a great place to grab a coffee and forget about the real world while relaxing with cute felines.

8 Angel Walk, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1TJ – Website

 

The Cat’s Whiskers (York)

Located in a beautiful Grade II listed building in the heart of York you’ll find the cosy Cat’s Whiskers cafe. This cat cafe is a relaxing space that’s perfect for unwinding. A popular activity in York is the Cat Trail and of course one of the cat statues is on the building of York’s only cat cafe.

46 Goodramgate, York, YO1 7LF – Website

 

Cat Cafes in Scotland

 

Cat in the Window (Aberdeen)

Unfortunately Cat in the Window is now permanently closed

 

Maison de Moggy (Edinburgh)

Welcome to Scotland’s first Cat Cafe. They offer a cosy, homely cafe where customers can relax in feline company whilst enjoying the purrfect cuppa. Their attention is focused on the wellbeing of the cats, focusing on creating a stimulating and stable environment for them.

17-19 West Port, Edinburgh – Website

 

Purrple (Glasgow)

Purrple is proud to be Glasgow’s first cat cafe. They provide a happy and playful furrever home for their cats and an unforgettable experience for the humans. They also have a Purrple Cat Cafe Club you can become a member of for exclusive perks both in the cafe and online.

2 Trongate, Glasgow, G1 5ES – Website

 

Cats Meow Kittea Cafe (Stirling)

Unfortunately Cats Meow Kittea Cafe is now permanently closed

 

 

Cat Cafes in Wales

 

Feline Good (Cardiff)

Unfortunately Feline Good is now permanently closed

 

Rabble Rags Manor Cat Cafe (Newport)

While it does seem Rabble Rags Manor Cat Cafe is temporarily closed, they appear to be confident of re-opening in the future.

166 Chepstow Road, Newport, NP19 8EG – Website

 

 

Cat Cafes in Northern Ireland

 

Kitty Winkles (Belfast)

Kitty Winkles was set to be Northern Ireland’s first cat cafe but sadly couldn’t reach the targets set out in the Kickstarter campaign.

 

Cat Pubs in the UK

Cat cafes are great but they are missing one thing. Booze! Well at these pubs you can get your fix of beer and cats at the same time.

 

Bag of Nails (Bristol)

At Bag of Nails, also known as The Cat Pub, customers can enjoy the company of cats while also having an alcoholic beverage. As well as cute cats, this cosy pub has many fantastic craft beers on offer.

141 St George’s Road, Bristol, BS1 5UW – Website

 

KITTchEN (Hawkshead)

Since 2018, KITTchEN have been serving the purrfect combo of pussy and pints. They are an independent bar, supporting independent breweries and home to seven rescue cats. If you like cats and craft beer, KITTchEN is a great place for you!

The Square, Hawkshead, Cumbria, LA22 0NZ – Website

 

 

Plan Your UK Trip

Looking for more amazing things to do in the UK? Why not check out some of these!

• Shakespaw Cat Cafe in Stratford upon Avon
• Cheap Afternoon Teas in London
• Bombay Sapphire Distillery Tour
• The Best Stadium Tours in London
• Taking A Tour of Scotland’s Most Popular Brewery
• Vegan Friendly Restaurants in the UK
• 20 Things to do in London in the Rain
• Europe’s Longest Zip Line
• Soho Twilight Food Tour
• The Best Wineries in Essex

 

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