THIS ENGLAND’S FINEST TEA ROOMS

Spring sees us all want to step outside again after hibernating throughout the winter months, so this issue we’re celebrating the tea rooms of England with plants as lush as their delicious cream teas, or those with stunning walks nearby that will fill you with all the joys and blow away the cobwebs.

If you haven’t already been and find yourself in the vicinity, we have it on good authority that our first winner, The Selborne Tea Room, is a gem (The Selborne Tea Room, Selborne, Alton GU34 3JP).

Gorgeous cream teas and cakes, an exquisite country-garden setting with outdoor tables and a mullion-windowed, beamed interior all make the place very atmospheric and quintessentially English.

It’s just along the main street from the Gilbert White Museum, and Selborne itself offers several lovely walks up into the woodland above the village.

Thank you to Alan Dale for this tip. Alan remembers the tea rooms from many years ago, while he was courting his late wife.

Our next winner is The Potting Shed Tearoom (Redcliffe Garden Centre, Bashley Road, Bashley, New Milton, Hampshire BH25 5RY), thanks to a nomination by Richard Payne.

This establishment, set in a large potting shed, opened in 2001 with a small menu which has since greatly expanded. They also offer a fabulous vintage tea party for parties of six or more, with loose-leaf tea or coffee served in authentic bone china by their very friendly staff.

Richard recommends “the large, very sticky, Belgian bun” from the wide range of locally made cakes and pastries, and the savoury cream tea of a “cheese scone with piccalilli and cream cheese”. He also admits he’s just “a little partial to the lamb shank” from the lunch menu.

Sounds good! And a garden centre is just the place to pick up some new summer flowering bulbs, too. This year, we’ve got our eye on some gladioli and cannas.