This England’s Finest Tea Rooms
Itis time to serve up our trio of winning tea rooms for summer and these establishments will be able to display their certificates in readiness for Afternoon Tea Week, which begins on 14th August (see “Cornucopia”, page 69).
We start at The Bluebell Tea Room, 2 Belmont Street, Swadlincote, Derbyshire. This has been heartily recommended by someone who wants to be known as a “Well-satisfied customer”. They tell us, “No matter what is ordered, it is always presented beautifully and the cakes are scrumptious.” Looking at the menu there is a fine selection of beverages, light bites, sandwiches and jacket potatoes, specials, cakes and the allimportant afternoon teas on offer.
The “Well-satisfied customer” also points out,“everyone leaves feeling they have been treated like royalty in a calm, smiling manner and saying how lovely it is — a great experience.” To the charming Bluebell Tea Room, which blooms with “a warm welcome”, we can promise that one of our certificates will be on its way to you very soon.
We travel to the adjacent county of Cheshire next, thanks to a nomination from Mrs. Iris Davenport Price from Little Witley in Worcestershire. She was particularly impressed with an afternoon tea at The Arkle Lounge Bar, Chester Grosvenor Hotel, Eastgate Street. Acknowledging that it is not a traditional tea room, she points out “Although described as a bar, it was, in reality, a lounge, the discreet atmosphere of which provided the quintessential environment for a traditional afternoon tea in the centre of one of our most ancient cities.”
She recalls, “Tea was served in the finest bone china, from a silver pot containing an ample supply of leaf tea. Sugar was from a china bowl, the cutlery gleamed and the sandwich assortment was impeccable.” Well, tea room or not, it is the standard and the service which counts and this sounds a splendid venue in which to partake of afternoon tea. We are therefore delighted to add it to our list of finest establishments.
Travelling further east brings us to our third winning destination in this issue, which is Lady Rose’s Edwardian Tea Room, Free School Lane, Lincoln. It has been recommended by Mrs. Louisa Marshall who enjoyed an afternoon tea there with her husband on the occasion of their 25th wedding anniversary. She describes it as “exquisite” and highlights the “obliging staff”, “delicious food” and grand presentation.
Lady Rose’s is a place that certainly takes you back to another era as it is owned by two historical re-enactors, Chris and Nikki Fairey. They have carried out extensive research to bring all the authentic touches to their establishment, which is evident in the decor and the dress of the staff. Chris and Nikki uphold the traditions of Edwardian times as epitomised in wonderful television series including Downton Abbey and Upstairs, Downstairs. The owners say that they have “...tried to create an ambience and warmth in opposition to the rush of modern life” and Lady Rose’s is all about “creating and experiencing loveliness”. What could be more delightful!
If you have a favourite tea room that you would like to nominate for our award, then send details to: This England’s Finest Tea Rooms, The Lypiatts, Lansdown Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire GL50 2JA, or email: editor@thisengland.co.uk .