Our favourite hideouts for an afternoon tea in Essex

Bordered by Suffolk, Kent, Hertfordshire and Cambridgeshire, Essex is often overlooked as a holiday destination in favour of the nearby hotspots of London. This vibrant county is an ideal location for a relaxing day out. Afternoon tea in Essex is sure to delight!

Essex Rose Tea House

Located just off the A12 near the pretty village of Dedham, the charming Essex Rose Tea House is a great place to spend an afternoon relaxing. The 500 year old pink, timber-framed building serves up some fantastic light meals including sandwiches, cooked lunches and homemade cakes as well as a great selection of teas to choose from. Don’t miss out on cream tea served with a toasted tea cake or a delicious scone with raspberry jam and Rhodda’s clotted cream! With reasonable prices, friendly staff and excellent service, this little tea house is a must visit. There is free parking within walking distance and some good campsites nearby. 

Tiptree Tea Room

Located 10 miles southwest of Colchester, the village of Tiptree is home to the famous Wilkins and Sons Ltd jams and preserves as wellas the Tiptree Tea Room and Visitor Centre. Here you can enjoy a delicious selection of teas and some wonderful quality meals including the ‘Ploughman’s Lunch’ made from fresh, local produce. Afternoon tea is around £25 for two people and the sandwiches are generously filled with traditional fillings like ham and mustard, followed of course by little cakes and homemade scones with cream. The tea is unlimited too! There’s a small museum on site which is free of charge and offers an interesting look into the making of jams, making this spot perfect for a rainy day! Take a look in the small shop too for some great gifts to bring back home.

Tea on the Green

Located in Danbury, Tea on the Green is a great little spot. Here you can enjoy afternoon tea that comes with a good selection of finger sandwiches, scones with generous pots of jam and cream and your choice of quality, homemade cakes at good prices. The carrot cake is some of the best around! This traditional tea room has won several awards for its quality food and service. It can get very busy so it is worth booking a table if you plan on a visit. There is a lovely seating area outside with great views of the village duck pond. Afterwards, why not visit Danbury Country Park nearby for a long sunny walk? There’s various events held there throughout the year including falconry displays.

The Art Café

The Art Café is actually found in two different locations in Essex, one in Colchester and one on Mersea Island just a short walk from the beach. These cafés are a haven for food and art lovers as both locations exhibit artwork by talented local artists including paintings and ceramics which changes every six weeks so there’s always something new to look at. The cafés owners, James and Maggie, are passionate about serving fresh, quality, local food including free range eggs and fish caught from the surrounding sea. The menu changes quarterly to get the best out of seasonal produce and ingredients. As well as afternoon tea, you can enjoy fantastic cooked breakfasts and lunches and freshly ground coffee. The café at Mersea also has the Cake-Hole deli situated next door which sells wonderful homemade delights such as ‘Maggie’s amazing red onion marmalade’, olives, dressings, teas, cheeses and artisan breads. It’s a must-see for foodies! Both cafés provide a unique setting to enjoy an afternoon tea and have a terraced seating area ideal for lounging in the sun during those lazy summer lunches. The cafés are open 9am to 5pm daily.

Maison Talbooth

A little different from traditional tea rooms is the Maison Talbooth Hotel. Set in the stunning countryside of Colchester, this hotel offers a truly luxurious afternoon tea experience. You can choose to sit in the Sitting Room, the Garden Room which provides stunning views out across Dedham Vale or out on the terrace in the sunshine. The food includes a superb selection of sandwiches and cakes including chocolate brownies and Battenberg cake. Highlights include the raspberry puffs and the buttermilk scones with jam and clotted cream. At £18.50 per person, this is a truly indulgent way to spend a relaxing afternoon. For an extra £9.50, you can even enjoy a glass of champagne! Afternoon tea is available every day from 2pm until 6pm and booking is advised. Colchester Zoo is just 20 minutes away and makes a wonderful day out. The zoo is home to a huge variety of animals and fun-filled activities the whole family can enjoy.

Other tearooms worth a visit include Yeomans Café in Stansted, the Courtyard Café in Chelmsford and Prested Hall in Feering. With great camping and caravan sites near each tea room, Essex is an excellent destination for enjoying this wonderful English tradition.