The Essex tea shop trail
Above: Afternoon tea
Huttons Courtyard Café
The Stable Centre, Hylands Park, Writtle, Chelmsford CM2 8WQ
01245 346765
food@huttons-catering.co.uk
What to expect Situated within Hylands Park, Huttons is family-friendly and welcoming with an extensive, reasonably-priced menu with daily specials and child portions. Cream tea for two is £6, afternoon tea for two is £15 and there are 13 different types of hot drink on offer as well as a selection of fruit teas
Opening hours 8.30am to 5pm during the summer season
Icing on the cake The courtyard offers a great space to eat al fresco, enjoying the sun and a piece of ever-popular carrot cake
Kim’s Tea and Coffee House
5 Hill Street, Saffron Walden CB10 1EH
01799 513533
What to expect A friendly, homely, traditional tea room and the ideal space for escaping the hustle and bustle of daily life. There is a menu of around 50 homemade cakes containing only natural ingredients and all food is fresh and homemade. There are also around 50 different loose-leaf teas on offer, plus 15 types of coffee and decaffeinated drinks
Opening hours 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday
Icing on the cake Cream scones and tea for two is £6.50 and you can eat outside for the perfect summer afternoon treat
Tiptree Tea Room
Tiptree, Colchester CO5 0RF
01621 814524
www.tiptree.com
What to expect A traditional tea room serving Tiptree jams and tea in the grounds of the famous Tiptree Jam Factory. Enjoy teas, coffee, cappuccino, latte, espresso and hot chocolate. There is outside seating and the cream tea for two, which costs £10.80, is an absolute must
Opening hours 10am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, 11am to 5pm on Sundays
Icing on the cake This is ideal for a group visit of family day out with the Jam Museum and Jam Shop close at hand
Essex Rose Tea House
High Street, Dedham CO7 6DE
01206 323101
www.tiptree.com
What to expect The heavily-timbered Essex Rose Tea House is a step back in time for all who visit with a traditional waitress service, charming surroundings and good food. Offering Tiptree teas, a range of coffees and hot chocolate. The best selling cream tea is well worth a try at £10.80 for two
Opening hours From 10am to 5.30 during summer
Icing on the cake Enjoy a cup of tea how it used to be with an added treat of Tiptree jams and gift items available for sale
The Lock Tea Room
Basin Road, Heybridge, Maldon CM9 4RS
01621 854466
www.tiptree.com
What to expect Bright and airy, The Lock offers a great place to eat on the waterfront at Heybridge Basin with fantastic views of the Blackwater estuary. The best-selling cream tea costs £10.80 for two people and there is a wide selection of hot drinks available including Tiptree teas, coffee, cappuccino, latte, espresso and hot chocolate
Opening hours Summer opening is 9am to 5pm
Icing on the cake Drink in the sun as well as a delicious cup of tea in the outside seating area. Tiptree jams are also available for sale
Butterfly Tea Rooms at Tropical Wings
Wickford Road, South Woodham Ferrers CM3 5QZ
01245 329259
What to expect Situated within the Tropical Wings Butterfly and Bird Garden, no admission is required to visit this warm and friendly tea room. Offering a large selection of drinks including five different types of coffee, fruit teas and cold drinks, an afternoon tea consisting of tea and toasted cake will cost you just £2.70
Opening hours From 9am to 5.30pm
Icing on the cake Try a slice of the deliciously decadent chocolate cake on the sun terrace – absolute heaven
Magnolia Tea Rooms
St James Street, Castle Hedingham, Halstead CO9 3EJ
01787 460197
christine.gorbett@tiscali.co.uk
What to expect This warm and friendly tea room provides the perfect afternoon treat. All the food is home cooked and there are a selection of speciality teas such as fruit teas and Earl Grey on offer as well as hot chocolate and filter coffee. Afternoon tea costs £2.50 for two having tea and cake
Opening hours From 9am to 5pm
Icing on the cake For the most indulgent treat, try the best-selling lemon cake or a slice of the chocolate fudge cake
Terracotta Tea Rooms
95-97 Broadway West, Leigh-on-Sea SS9 3PA
01702 712279
What to expect This is a homely, comfortable and family-friendly tea room with a play room, baby changing facilities and high chair available. Serving 15 different types of hot drink, afternoon tea will cost £5.50 for a pot of tea for one with a sandwich, scone or sponge cake
Opening hours Monday to Saturday, 9am to 4.30pm, and 11am to 3pm on Sunday
Icing on the cake The carrot cake is a real treat and you can soak up the sun and the sea air in the tea garden
Garden Tea Rooms
Lordship Road, Writtle, Chelmsford CM1 3RR
01245 422600
www.gardentearooms.co.uk
What to expect The homely and welcoming Garden Tea Rooms overlook the wonders of Writtle College Garden Centre. There are a variety of coffees available and the tea menu includes Ceylon Dimbula, Assam and Darjeeling as well as many fruit and herbal infusions. There is a lunch menu as well as lighter options for afternoon tea
Opening hours 10am to 4.30pm, Tuesday to Friday, and 10 to 4pm Saturday and Sunday. It is closed on Mondays, including Bank Holidays
Icing on the cake For choice and some green fingered inspiration, Garden Tea Rooms is hard to beat
The Village Tea Room
The Heath, Hatfield Heath, Bishop’s Stortford CM22 7EB
01279 739253
What to expect The Village Tearoom is a traditional tearoom overlooking the charming village of Hatfield Heath. There is a variety of reasonably-priced teas and coffees as well as a vast selection of cakes and scones
Opening hours 9am to 4pm, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 9am to 2pm on Wednesdays and 10am to 4pm on Sundays
Icing on the cake The coffee and walnut is particularly popular, so don’t go without trying a piece
Marsh Farm Tearoom
Marsh Farm Country Park, Marsh Farm Road, South Woodham Ferrers, Chelmsford CM3 5WP
01245 324085
What to expect This family-friendly tea room is adjacent to Marsh Farm which provides a great day out and there are also some lovely walks in various directions from the tea room. There are 14 different types of hot drinks including hot chocolate served with whipped cream and sprinkled with chocolate
Opening hours Summer opening is 10am to 5pm or 5.30pm for a take-away
Icing on the cake Tea for two, including homemade scones served with Tiptree jam, fresh cream and a pot of tea or coffee, is just £3.80 per person
Roomes Restaurant
Roomes Stores Ltd, Station Road, Upminster RM14 2SX
01708 250080
What to expect The restaurant has a relaxed comfortable atmosphere with both armchair coffee areas and restaurant seating. Homemade scones are a speciality, although there is now also a selection of homemade cakes plus 11 different teas, freshly-ground coffee and hot chocolate
Opening times 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday
Icing on the cake Devon tea is £2.85 per person offering a scone, clotted cream and jam served with a pot of tea or a cup of coffee. High tea is £10 per head