THIS ENGLAND’S FINEST TEA ROOMS
In our book it’s just as vital for a tea room to have a friendly ambience as it is for the food and tea to be freshly made. So with the weather getting hotter, it begs the question: where can you find an equally warm welcome?
One of our longstanding readers, J. Woolgrave, who has been reading This England since 1970 and has kept every copy since, knows just the place.
“I would like to nominate the Vintage Rose Tea Room in Storrington because not only is the food all homemade . . . [but] the staff and owner are so kind and friendly. While having tea I have heard comments by people visiting that have been wonderful and they have said they would always come back when in the area.”
Situated in a Grade II listed building in the heart of the Sussex Downs, the setting has huge appeal, too, and from a look at the menu there’s much to tempt you, from Sussex Charmer cheese and homemade pickle sarnies to wild strawberry ice-cream.
Vintage Rose Tea Room, School Hill, Storrington, Pulborough RH2 4NA.
Of course, it’s not just southern England where you’ll enjoy fine hospitality!
Our next winner is up in Northumberland and has been nominated by reader Lorna Grundy.
Melanie’s Tea Room, 51 Front Street, Newbigginby-the-Sea NE64 6PX “has previously been all sorts of establishments including a pet supplies shop” but has now found its calling as a tea room.
“They serve a very traditional tea in lovely china tea cups [and] the freshly baked scones come in a variety of flavours and are different each day,” says Lorna.
They’re also famed for their very friendly and chatty staff for whom nothing is too much trouble, and the tea room is considered a absolute gem by the local community.
Tea, scones, coffee and smiles. It’s enough to give you a sunny disposition even on a grey day, isn’t it? 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, DC Thomson, 185 Fleet Street, London, EC4A 2HS, or e-mail editor@thisengland.co.uk