Tea Room Treasures

of

East Anglia

April 2014 Spring Issue

Celebrating A Great British Tradition Afternoon Tea

Featured Tea Spots Earith Houghton

Old Hurst

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Tea Room Treasures

of East Anglia

Tea Notes My search for the quintessentially British afternoon tea experience began in 2012 when I reviewed Londonrsquos top tea rooms to visit during celebrations marking the Queenrsquos Jubilee As an expat from Alaska the idea of lsquoafternoon tearsquo was as alien to me as a warm day in February is to the folks in Barrow And while I do not present myself to be an expert in the fine art of brewing the perfect cup of tea I do enjoy the experience London may have the posh experience but I had to believe East Anglia would also be full of tea rooms

bursting with character and serving up traditional British fayre

After a weekend of sipping tea and sampling cakes at local tea rooms my tea-cup companion commented that I had been to so many tea rooms that I should make a guide for others to follow What a wonderful excuse to indulge in maple walnut cakes and egg and cres-

cent sandwiches

This issue marks the inaugural release of a quarterly publication lsquoTea Room Treasuresrsquo featuring three establishments situated in the rustic and rural East Anglia countryside I will survey both boutique and chain tea rooms with equal zest and diligence with the goal of keeping like-minded tea room connoisseurs up to date on places Irsquove visited and the yummy things Irsquove tasted

However I do pay for every scrumptious bite and sip and while the proprietors have granted me permission to image and include their establishment in this publication they do not sponsor me this publication or any of my other works

So pour yourself a lsquocupparsquo and lather up a scone with your favorite clotted cream and preserves and enjoy a short tour through a few of

East Angliarsquos own tea room treasures

~CA Eccles

2

Inside this issue Tea Notes 2

Map of East Anglia 3

Afternoon Tea 5

Riverview Tea Room 7

Houghton Tea Room 9

The Eccentric Englishman 11

Special Thanks 13

Summer Issue Preview 13

About the authorhelliphellip 14

Image Credits

Image credits all images and content are by CA Eccles unless otherwise

indicated All works under copyright

Front Daffodils line the path at All Saints Church Hartford near the

River Great Ouse

Left Classic Afternoon Tea tray

Back Another classic Afternoon Tea

tray

copy CA Eccles 2014 All rights reserved

Spring 2014

3

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Spring 2014

4

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Spring 2014

Origins

Afternoon tea began

in the early nineteenth

century when only two

main meals--breakfast

and a late dinner--were

served Anna the 7th

Duchess of Bedford

complained of a

ldquosinking feelingrdquo in the

late afternoon and

with little ceremony

was served a pot of tea

and a light snack of

cakes and sandwiches

ldquoThere are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony

known as afternoon teardquo (Henry James 1843-1916 from lsquoA Portrait of a Ladyrsquo)

Afternoon Tea A brief history What better way to experi-ence Great Britain than to participate in ldquoafternoon teardquo a British tradition that began in the early 19th century when a noble woman felt

hungry

Today the event is replete with pomp and ceremony with classic and specialty teas and scrumptious cakes and

sandwiches In England there is at least one pub in every village and the same almost holds true for tea rooms One can enjoy formal afternoon tea at high society establishments in London such as The Ritz or The Savoy or relax in a rural countryside atmosphere found in local villages throughout

the United Kingdom

Anna Maria Russell Duchess of Bedford (3 September 1783 ndash 3 July

1857) (courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

5

6 6 6

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

The Tea Room Awards Stiff

Competition

The UK Tea Council is an independent body that promotes tea and its history Under the Councilrsquos guidance tea experts covertly visit es-tablishments and score them using sixteen categories in-cluding deacutecor cleanliness and staff attitudes and of course a variety of tea-related tests such as appearance

flavor and staff knowledge

Porcelain bone china or other glazed stoneware is better for retaining heat and will garner a higher score by the Tea Guild judges than pots made from aluminum pewter

or enamel

The type shape and size of cups are also important and can affect the heat retention Visit The UK Tea Councilrsquos website wwwteacouk for more information on member-ship on tea the tea guild and

more

Whatever your preference there is a style to suit all tastes For

all of its pleasantries and traditions afternoon tea is also big

business and recognition by The Tea Guild (founded in 1985 to

recognize and promote businesses dedicated to brewing and

serving tea) is an incentive Competition is stiff as tea rooms

across the United Kingdom go lsquotea cuprsquo to lsquotea cuprsquo for one of

the coveted Top Tea Places awards For 2013 the Goring Hotel

earned the top London Afternoon Tea award

I am not a Tea Guild expert nor am I an expert of any kind the

criteria I use when visiting tea shops are far less sophisticated

I look for just-right scones with fresh clotted cream a wide

selection of rich homemade tea cakes and delectable finger

sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients served with a

smile and in a warm relaxing and charming setting

And letrsquos not forgeta perfectly brewed cup of tea

A hearty version of afternoon tea Riverview Guest House and Tea room Earith

6

Spring 2014

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Tea Room Treasures

of East Anglia

Tea Notes My search for the quintessentially British afternoon tea experience began in 2012 when I reviewed Londonrsquos top tea rooms to visit during celebrations marking the Queenrsquos Jubilee As an expat from Alaska the idea of lsquoafternoon tearsquo was as alien to me as a warm day in February is to the folks in Barrow And while I do not present myself to be an expert in the fine art of brewing the perfect cup of tea I do enjoy the experience London may have the posh experience but I had to believe East Anglia would also be full of tea rooms

bursting with character and serving up traditional British fayre

After a weekend of sipping tea and sampling cakes at local tea rooms my tea-cup companion commented that I had been to so many tea rooms that I should make a guide for others to follow What a wonderful excuse to indulge in maple walnut cakes and egg and cres-

cent sandwiches

This issue marks the inaugural release of a quarterly publication lsquoTea Room Treasuresrsquo featuring three establishments situated in the rustic and rural East Anglia countryside I will survey both boutique and chain tea rooms with equal zest and diligence with the goal of keeping like-minded tea room connoisseurs up to date on places Irsquove visited and the yummy things Irsquove tasted

However I do pay for every scrumptious bite and sip and while the proprietors have granted me permission to image and include their establishment in this publication they do not sponsor me this publication or any of my other works

So pour yourself a lsquocupparsquo and lather up a scone with your favorite clotted cream and preserves and enjoy a short tour through a few of

East Angliarsquos own tea room treasures

~CA Eccles

2

Inside this issue Tea Notes 2

Map of East Anglia 3

Afternoon Tea 5

Riverview Tea Room 7

Houghton Tea Room 9

The Eccentric Englishman 11

Special Thanks 13

Summer Issue Preview 13

About the authorhelliphellip 14

Image Credits

Image credits all images and content are by CA Eccles unless otherwise

indicated All works under copyright

Front Daffodils line the path at All Saints Church Hartford near the

River Great Ouse

Left Classic Afternoon Tea tray

Back Another classic Afternoon Tea

tray

copy CA Eccles 2014 All rights reserved

Spring 2014

3

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Spring 2014

4

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Spring 2014

Origins

Afternoon tea began

in the early nineteenth

century when only two

main meals--breakfast

and a late dinner--were

served Anna the 7th

Duchess of Bedford

complained of a

ldquosinking feelingrdquo in the

late afternoon and

with little ceremony

was served a pot of tea

and a light snack of

cakes and sandwiches

ldquoThere are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony

known as afternoon teardquo (Henry James 1843-1916 from lsquoA Portrait of a Ladyrsquo)

Afternoon Tea A brief history What better way to experi-ence Great Britain than to participate in ldquoafternoon teardquo a British tradition that began in the early 19th century when a noble woman felt

hungry

Today the event is replete with pomp and ceremony with classic and specialty teas and scrumptious cakes and

sandwiches In England there is at least one pub in every village and the same almost holds true for tea rooms One can enjoy formal afternoon tea at high society establishments in London such as The Ritz or The Savoy or relax in a rural countryside atmosphere found in local villages throughout

the United Kingdom

Anna Maria Russell Duchess of Bedford (3 September 1783 ndash 3 July

1857) (courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

5

6 6 6

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

The Tea Room Awards Stiff

Competition

The UK Tea Council is an independent body that promotes tea and its history Under the Councilrsquos guidance tea experts covertly visit es-tablishments and score them using sixteen categories in-cluding deacutecor cleanliness and staff attitudes and of course a variety of tea-related tests such as appearance

flavor and staff knowledge

Porcelain bone china or other glazed stoneware is better for retaining heat and will garner a higher score by the Tea Guild judges than pots made from aluminum pewter

or enamel

The type shape and size of cups are also important and can affect the heat retention Visit The UK Tea Councilrsquos website wwwteacouk for more information on member-ship on tea the tea guild and

more

Whatever your preference there is a style to suit all tastes For

all of its pleasantries and traditions afternoon tea is also big

business and recognition by The Tea Guild (founded in 1985 to

recognize and promote businesses dedicated to brewing and

serving tea) is an incentive Competition is stiff as tea rooms

across the United Kingdom go lsquotea cuprsquo to lsquotea cuprsquo for one of

the coveted Top Tea Places awards For 2013 the Goring Hotel

earned the top London Afternoon Tea award

I am not a Tea Guild expert nor am I an expert of any kind the

criteria I use when visiting tea shops are far less sophisticated

I look for just-right scones with fresh clotted cream a wide

selection of rich homemade tea cakes and delectable finger

sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients served with a

smile and in a warm relaxing and charming setting

And letrsquos not forgeta perfectly brewed cup of tea

A hearty version of afternoon tea Riverview Guest House and Tea room Earith

6

Spring 2014

Tea Room Treasures

of East Anglia

Tea Notes My search for the quintessentially British afternoon tea experience began in 2012 when I reviewed Londonrsquos top tea rooms to visit during celebrations marking the Queenrsquos Jubilee As an expat from Alaska the idea of lsquoafternoon tearsquo was as alien to me as a warm day in February is to the folks in Barrow And while I do not present myself to be an expert in the fine art of brewing the perfect cup of tea I do enjoy the experience London may have the posh experience but I had to believe East Anglia would also be full of tea rooms

bursting with character and serving up traditional British fayre

After a weekend of sipping tea and sampling cakes at local tea rooms my tea-cup companion commented that I had been to so many tea rooms that I should make a guide for others to follow What a wonderful excuse to indulge in maple walnut cakes and egg and cres-

cent sandwiches

This issue marks the inaugural release of a quarterly publication lsquoTea Room Treasuresrsquo featuring three establishments situated in the rustic and rural East Anglia countryside I will survey both boutique and chain tea rooms with equal zest and diligence with the goal of keeping like-minded tea room connoisseurs up to date on places Irsquove visited and the yummy things Irsquove tasted

However I do pay for every scrumptious bite and sip and while the proprietors have granted me permission to image and include their establishment in this publication they do not sponsor me this publication or any of my other works

So pour yourself a lsquocupparsquo and lather up a scone with your favorite clotted cream and preserves and enjoy a short tour through a few of

East Angliarsquos own tea room treasures

~CA Eccles

2

Inside this issue Tea Notes 2

Map of East Anglia 3

Afternoon Tea 5

Riverview Tea Room 7

Houghton Tea Room 9

The Eccentric Englishman 11

Special Thanks 13

Summer Issue Preview 13

About the authorhelliphellip 14

Image Credits

Image credits all images and content are by CA Eccles unless otherwise

indicated All works under copyright

Front Daffodils line the path at All Saints Church Hartford near the

River Great Ouse

Left Classic Afternoon Tea tray

Back Another classic Afternoon Tea

tray

copy CA Eccles 2014 All rights reserved

Spring 2014

3

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Spring 2014

4

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Spring 2014

Origins

Afternoon tea began

in the early nineteenth

century when only two

main meals--breakfast

and a late dinner--were

served Anna the 7th

Duchess of Bedford

complained of a

ldquosinking feelingrdquo in the

late afternoon and

with little ceremony

was served a pot of tea

and a light snack of

cakes and sandwiches

ldquoThere are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony

known as afternoon teardquo (Henry James 1843-1916 from lsquoA Portrait of a Ladyrsquo)

Afternoon Tea A brief history What better way to experi-ence Great Britain than to participate in ldquoafternoon teardquo a British tradition that began in the early 19th century when a noble woman felt

hungry

Today the event is replete with pomp and ceremony with classic and specialty teas and scrumptious cakes and

sandwiches In England there is at least one pub in every village and the same almost holds true for tea rooms One can enjoy formal afternoon tea at high society establishments in London such as The Ritz or The Savoy or relax in a rural countryside atmosphere found in local villages throughout

the United Kingdom

Anna Maria Russell Duchess of Bedford (3 September 1783 ndash 3 July

1857) (courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

5

6 6 6

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

The Tea Room Awards Stiff

Competition

The UK Tea Council is an independent body that promotes tea and its history Under the Councilrsquos guidance tea experts covertly visit es-tablishments and score them using sixteen categories in-cluding deacutecor cleanliness and staff attitudes and of course a variety of tea-related tests such as appearance

flavor and staff knowledge

Porcelain bone china or other glazed stoneware is better for retaining heat and will garner a higher score by the Tea Guild judges than pots made from aluminum pewter

or enamel

The type shape and size of cups are also important and can affect the heat retention Visit The UK Tea Councilrsquos website wwwteacouk for more information on member-ship on tea the tea guild and

more

Whatever your preference there is a style to suit all tastes For

all of its pleasantries and traditions afternoon tea is also big

business and recognition by The Tea Guild (founded in 1985 to

recognize and promote businesses dedicated to brewing and

serving tea) is an incentive Competition is stiff as tea rooms

across the United Kingdom go lsquotea cuprsquo to lsquotea cuprsquo for one of

the coveted Top Tea Places awards For 2013 the Goring Hotel

earned the top London Afternoon Tea award

I am not a Tea Guild expert nor am I an expert of any kind the

criteria I use when visiting tea shops are far less sophisticated

I look for just-right scones with fresh clotted cream a wide

selection of rich homemade tea cakes and delectable finger

sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients served with a

smile and in a warm relaxing and charming setting

And letrsquos not forgeta perfectly brewed cup of tea

A hearty version of afternoon tea Riverview Guest House and Tea room Earith

6

Spring 2014

3

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Spring 2014

4

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Spring 2014

Origins

Afternoon tea began

in the early nineteenth

century when only two

main meals--breakfast

and a late dinner--were

served Anna the 7th

Duchess of Bedford

complained of a

ldquosinking feelingrdquo in the

late afternoon and

with little ceremony

was served a pot of tea

and a light snack of

cakes and sandwiches

ldquoThere are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony

known as afternoon teardquo (Henry James 1843-1916 from lsquoA Portrait of a Ladyrsquo)

Afternoon Tea A brief history What better way to experi-ence Great Britain than to participate in ldquoafternoon teardquo a British tradition that began in the early 19th century when a noble woman felt

hungry

Today the event is replete with pomp and ceremony with classic and specialty teas and scrumptious cakes and

sandwiches In England there is at least one pub in every village and the same almost holds true for tea rooms One can enjoy formal afternoon tea at high society establishments in London such as The Ritz or The Savoy or relax in a rural countryside atmosphere found in local villages throughout

the United Kingdom

Anna Maria Russell Duchess of Bedford (3 September 1783 ndash 3 July

1857) (courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

5

6 6 6

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

The Tea Room Awards Stiff

Competition

The UK Tea Council is an independent body that promotes tea and its history Under the Councilrsquos guidance tea experts covertly visit es-tablishments and score them using sixteen categories in-cluding deacutecor cleanliness and staff attitudes and of course a variety of tea-related tests such as appearance

flavor and staff knowledge

Porcelain bone china or other glazed stoneware is better for retaining heat and will garner a higher score by the Tea Guild judges than pots made from aluminum pewter

or enamel

The type shape and size of cups are also important and can affect the heat retention Visit The UK Tea Councilrsquos website wwwteacouk for more information on member-ship on tea the tea guild and

more

Whatever your preference there is a style to suit all tastes For

all of its pleasantries and traditions afternoon tea is also big

business and recognition by The Tea Guild (founded in 1985 to

recognize and promote businesses dedicated to brewing and

serving tea) is an incentive Competition is stiff as tea rooms

across the United Kingdom go lsquotea cuprsquo to lsquotea cuprsquo for one of

the coveted Top Tea Places awards For 2013 the Goring Hotel

earned the top London Afternoon Tea award

I am not a Tea Guild expert nor am I an expert of any kind the

criteria I use when visiting tea shops are far less sophisticated

I look for just-right scones with fresh clotted cream a wide

selection of rich homemade tea cakes and delectable finger

sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients served with a

smile and in a warm relaxing and charming setting

And letrsquos not forgeta perfectly brewed cup of tea

A hearty version of afternoon tea Riverview Guest House and Tea room Earith

6

Spring 2014

4

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Spring 2014

Origins

Afternoon tea began

in the early nineteenth

century when only two

main meals--breakfast

and a late dinner--were

served Anna the 7th

Duchess of Bedford

complained of a

ldquosinking feelingrdquo in the

late afternoon and

with little ceremony

was served a pot of tea

and a light snack of

cakes and sandwiches

ldquoThere are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony

known as afternoon teardquo (Henry James 1843-1916 from lsquoA Portrait of a Ladyrsquo)

Afternoon Tea A brief history What better way to experi-ence Great Britain than to participate in ldquoafternoon teardquo a British tradition that began in the early 19th century when a noble woman felt

hungry

Today the event is replete with pomp and ceremony with classic and specialty teas and scrumptious cakes and

sandwiches In England there is at least one pub in every village and the same almost holds true for tea rooms One can enjoy formal afternoon tea at high society establishments in London such as The Ritz or The Savoy or relax in a rural countryside atmosphere found in local villages throughout

the United Kingdom

Anna Maria Russell Duchess of Bedford (3 September 1783 ndash 3 July

1857) (courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

5

6 6 6

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

The Tea Room Awards Stiff

Competition

The UK Tea Council is an independent body that promotes tea and its history Under the Councilrsquos guidance tea experts covertly visit es-tablishments and score them using sixteen categories in-cluding deacutecor cleanliness and staff attitudes and of course a variety of tea-related tests such as appearance

flavor and staff knowledge

Porcelain bone china or other glazed stoneware is better for retaining heat and will garner a higher score by the Tea Guild judges than pots made from aluminum pewter

or enamel

The type shape and size of cups are also important and can affect the heat retention Visit The UK Tea Councilrsquos website wwwteacouk for more information on member-ship on tea the tea guild and

more

Whatever your preference there is a style to suit all tastes For

all of its pleasantries and traditions afternoon tea is also big

business and recognition by The Tea Guild (founded in 1985 to

recognize and promote businesses dedicated to brewing and

serving tea) is an incentive Competition is stiff as tea rooms

across the United Kingdom go lsquotea cuprsquo to lsquotea cuprsquo for one of

the coveted Top Tea Places awards For 2013 the Goring Hotel

earned the top London Afternoon Tea award

I am not a Tea Guild expert nor am I an expert of any kind the

criteria I use when visiting tea shops are far less sophisticated

I look for just-right scones with fresh clotted cream a wide

selection of rich homemade tea cakes and delectable finger

sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients served with a

smile and in a warm relaxing and charming setting

And letrsquos not forgeta perfectly brewed cup of tea

A hearty version of afternoon tea Riverview Guest House and Tea room Earith

6

Spring 2014

Origins

Afternoon tea began

in the early nineteenth

century when only two

main meals--breakfast

and a late dinner--were

served Anna the 7th

Duchess of Bedford

complained of a

ldquosinking feelingrdquo in the

late afternoon and

with little ceremony

was served a pot of tea

and a light snack of

cakes and sandwiches

ldquoThere are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony

known as afternoon teardquo (Henry James 1843-1916 from lsquoA Portrait of a Ladyrsquo)

Afternoon Tea A brief history What better way to experi-ence Great Britain than to participate in ldquoafternoon teardquo a British tradition that began in the early 19th century when a noble woman felt

hungry

Today the event is replete with pomp and ceremony with classic and specialty teas and scrumptious cakes and

sandwiches In England there is at least one pub in every village and the same almost holds true for tea rooms One can enjoy formal afternoon tea at high society establishments in London such as The Ritz or The Savoy or relax in a rural countryside atmosphere found in local villages throughout

the United Kingdom

Anna Maria Russell Duchess of Bedford (3 September 1783 ndash 3 July

1857) (courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

5

6 6 6

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

The Tea Room Awards Stiff

Competition

The UK Tea Council is an independent body that promotes tea and its history Under the Councilrsquos guidance tea experts covertly visit es-tablishments and score them using sixteen categories in-cluding deacutecor cleanliness and staff attitudes and of course a variety of tea-related tests such as appearance

flavor and staff knowledge

Porcelain bone china or other glazed stoneware is better for retaining heat and will garner a higher score by the Tea Guild judges than pots made from aluminum pewter

or enamel

The type shape and size of cups are also important and can affect the heat retention Visit The UK Tea Councilrsquos website wwwteacouk for more information on member-ship on tea the tea guild and

more

Whatever your preference there is a style to suit all tastes For

all of its pleasantries and traditions afternoon tea is also big

business and recognition by The Tea Guild (founded in 1985 to

recognize and promote businesses dedicated to brewing and

serving tea) is an incentive Competition is stiff as tea rooms

across the United Kingdom go lsquotea cuprsquo to lsquotea cuprsquo for one of

the coveted Top Tea Places awards For 2013 the Goring Hotel

earned the top London Afternoon Tea award

I am not a Tea Guild expert nor am I an expert of any kind the

criteria I use when visiting tea shops are far less sophisticated

I look for just-right scones with fresh clotted cream a wide

selection of rich homemade tea cakes and delectable finger

sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients served with a

smile and in a warm relaxing and charming setting

And letrsquos not forgeta perfectly brewed cup of tea

A hearty version of afternoon tea Riverview Guest House and Tea room Earith

6

Spring 2014

The Tea Room Awards Stiff

Competition

The UK Tea Council is an independent body that promotes tea and its history Under the Councilrsquos guidance tea experts covertly visit es-tablishments and score them using sixteen categories in-cluding deacutecor cleanliness and staff attitudes and of course a variety of tea-related tests such as appearance

flavor and staff knowledge

Porcelain bone china or other glazed stoneware is better for retaining heat and will garner a higher score by the Tea Guild judges than pots made from aluminum pewter

or enamel

The type shape and size of cups are also important and can affect the heat retention Visit The UK Tea Councilrsquos website wwwteacouk for more information on member-ship on tea the tea guild and

more

Whatever your preference there is a style to suit all tastes For

all of its pleasantries and traditions afternoon tea is also big

business and recognition by The Tea Guild (founded in 1985 to

recognize and promote businesses dedicated to brewing and

serving tea) is an incentive Competition is stiff as tea rooms

across the United Kingdom go lsquotea cuprsquo to lsquotea cuprsquo for one of

the coveted Top Tea Places awards For 2013 the Goring Hotel

earned the top London Afternoon Tea award

I am not a Tea Guild expert nor am I an expert of any kind the

criteria I use when visiting tea shops are far less sophisticated

I look for just-right scones with fresh clotted cream a wide

selection of rich homemade tea cakes and delectable finger

sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients served with a

smile and in a warm relaxing and charming setting

And letrsquos not forgeta perfectly brewed cup of tea

A hearty version of afternoon tea Riverview Guest House and Tea room Earith

6

Spring 2014

Menu The menu is a diverse mix of British classics such as scrambled eggs on toast and full English breakfast with vegetarian options to the traditional plough-manrsquos lunch and jacket potatoes Specials also include warm salmon steak and prawn salad and classic Welsh rare-

bit

Hours______

MonTues Closed

Weds 1130a-400p

Thu-Sun 930a-400p

Parking_____

A car park is directly across from the inn at the Riverview public park and is free of

charge

Contact_____

Tel 01487 841405 Website wwwstives-guesthousecouk

Old Riverview Guest House amp Tea Rooms (Earith)

Rising from the ashes of its for-mer lives as an historic coaching inn and much later a pubmdashthe Old Riverview Guest House and Tea Room in Earith successfully reacquaints travelers with 19th century charm and high quality quintessential British fayre The establishment was exten-sively refurbished with an eye toward preserving the innrsquos

heritage while ensuring luxury comfort and modern amenities and locally sourced quality cuisine that supports the surrounding community This sleepy village tea room has it all country charm character and genuine warmth mixed with quality food and great ser-vice and should be on every tea

room connoisseurs list to visit

8

37 High Street Earith Cambridgeshire PE283PP

I opted for the Afternoon Tea Platter a hearty selection of finger sand-wiches and cakes made from locally sourced goods A pot of loose-leaf Earl Grey in a charming mixed crock setting accompanied a lumberjack-sized portion of cheddar cheese salmon hearty ham and classic cool cucumber sandwiches Sharing the large plate were extra large slices of freshly made lemon tart cream cake and walnut fruit car-rot cake topped with cream cheese icing A warm soft brownie and a classic fruit scone with fresh jam and clotted cream rounded out the

ends

7

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

ldquoThe Afternoon Tea Platter is a seriously hearty meal Bring a friend and an appetiterdquo

Lemon Tart Cake and Walnut Fruit Carrot Cake (above)

tea cup and other period elements (right)

8

Spring 2014

Menu

Cakes scones and

sandwiches are baked

fresh daily by the tea

rooms owner who also

runs St Neotrsquos Cakes

providing signature

made-to-order wedding

or special events cakes

The tea room offers a

light lunch menu in-

cluding toasted ham

and cheese sandwiches

jacket potatoes and

piping hot soup

Hours______

Mon-Weds Closed

Thu-Sun 1000a-400p

Parking_____

Some free parking is at the Pavilion across the street or pay to park at he historic mill just down the street from the tea room

Contact_____

Tel 07834 391995 Website http

wwwstneotscakesco

ukhoughton-tearoom

Houghton Tea Room (Houghton)

The Houghton Tea Room is one of Huntingdons newest tea rooms bringing the delectable St Neots Cakes to the Huntingdon area Situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Houghton the tea room is fast becoming a popular stopping point for visitors to the historic Houghton Mill and a mainstay meeting place for the locals too

The tea room occupies a cozy cor-ner of an historic bloc in Houghton and the tea roomrsquos layout provides comfortable seating in a bright and cheerful setting The Houghton Tea Room is a wonderful addition to an his-toric village Step into this cozy tea room and you will feel in-stantly at home with friendly service and excellent fayre

10

I chose a freshly baked classic scone with a light dusting of confection-ers sugar clotted cream and tub of strawberry jam and a healthy slice of coffee-walnut cake The sconersquos flakey exterior hid a surprisingly light and fluffy interior that was moist but not heavy But it was the coffee-walnut cake that won top prize The coffee-infused whipped frosting was luxuriously smooth with a melt-in-your mouth sensa-tion Time stood still with every bite While flavorful the topping did not overpower the wonderfully nutty maple-walnut moist cake--a truly

tasty combination

Mill Street Houghton Cambridgeshire PE282AZ

9

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Menu

Cakes scones and

sandwiches are baked

fresh daily by the tea

rooms owner who also

runs St Neotrsquos Cakes

providing signature

made-to-order wedding

or special events cakes

The tea room offers a

light lunch menu in-

cluding toasted ham

and cheese sandwiches

jacket potatoes and

piping hot soup

Hours______

Mon-Weds Closed

Thu-Sun 1000a-400p

Parking_____

Some free parking is at the Pavilion across the street or pay to park at he historic mill just down the street from the tea room

Contact_____

Tel 07834 391995 Website http

wwwstneotscakesco

ukhoughton-tearoom

Houghton Tea Room (Houghton)

The Houghton Tea Room is one of Huntingdons newest tea rooms bringing the delectable St Neots Cakes to the Huntingdon area Situated in the heart of the picturesque village of Houghton the tea room is fast becoming a popular stopping point for visitors to the historic Houghton Mill and a mainstay meeting place for the locals too

The tea room occupies a cozy cor-ner of an historic bloc in Houghton and the tea roomrsquos layout provides comfortable seating in a bright and cheerful setting The Houghton Tea Room is a wonderful addition to an his-toric village Step into this cozy tea room and you will feel in-stantly at home with friendly service and excellent fayre

10

I chose a freshly baked classic scone with a light dusting of confection-ers sugar clotted cream and tub of strawberry jam and a healthy slice of coffee-walnut cake The sconersquos flakey exterior hid a surprisingly light and fluffy interior that was moist but not heavy But it was the coffee-walnut cake that won top prize The coffee-infused whipped frosting was luxuriously smooth with a melt-in-your mouth sensa-tion Time stood still with every bite While flavorful the topping did not overpower the wonderfully nutty maple-walnut moist cake--a truly

tasty combination

Mill Street Houghton Cambridgeshire PE282AZ

9

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

ldquoChase away the blues with a hearty slice of carrot cake and classic English Breakfast teardquo

Made-to-order Valentinersquos Day cake (above) creamed tea and

cake in the cozy tea room (right)

10

Spring 2014

Menu The Eccentric Englishman offers a wide range of baked cakes and specialty creamed teas The tea room proudly touts fresh baked goods and prepared onsite using whenever possible locally sourced ingredients The menu is as diverse as the farm itself offering classics such as the English Ploughman to specialty items including Johnsons famous ldquoCrocbusterrdquo There are children-sized

portions as well

Hours______

Tues-Fri 930a-430p

Sat 900a ndash430p

Parking_____ There is ample parking behind the church and there is signs to direct Access There is also lim-ited parking in Johnsonrsquos Butchery courtyard

Contact_____ Tel 01487 822997 Website

wwwjohnsonsofoldhurstc

ouktea_roomsasp

The Eccentric Englishman (Old Hurst)

The Eccentric Englishmanrsquos Tea Room is neatly tucked within Johnsonrsquos of Old Hurst Butchery and Farm Shop a sprawling working farm with local farm-reared traditional and specialty meats Roughly five miles north-east of Houghton on the A141 the farm includes a butcher and deli a local goods and produce shop a playground reindeer and

crocodile farms and a small steam locomotive which runs mostly on the weekends Set in a red brick building opposite the deli shop the tea room exudes a Scandinavian pine lodge and rustic English countryside charm and is the perfect spot for a nice chat over creamed tea or a hearty

English breakfast or lunch

12

I started with a classic creamed tea with a plain scone and a pot of Earl

Gray and added a hearty slice of coffee maple walnut cake--a local

favorite Bakers quick-freeze morning-baked scones to lock in freshness

they are then carefully reheated on demand and served with Devonshire

clotted cream and locally produced raspberry jam The perfectly toasted

scone followed by rich mocha frosting and walnut-topped sponge cake is

a truly delightful combination

Church Farm Church Street Old Hurst Huntingdon CAMBS PE28 3AF

11

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Menu The Eccentric Englishman offers a wide range of baked cakes and specialty creamed teas The tea room proudly touts fresh baked goods and prepared onsite using whenever possible locally sourced ingredients The menu is as diverse as the farm itself offering classics such as the English Ploughman to specialty items including Johnsons famous ldquoCrocbusterrdquo There are children-sized

portions as well

Hours______

Tues-Fri 930a-430p

Sat 900a ndash430p

Parking_____ There is ample parking behind the church and there is signs to direct Access There is also lim-ited parking in Johnsonrsquos Butchery courtyard

Contact_____ Tel 01487 822997 Website

wwwjohnsonsofoldhurstc

ouktea_roomsasp

The Eccentric Englishman (Old Hurst)

The Eccentric Englishmanrsquos Tea Room is neatly tucked within Johnsonrsquos of Old Hurst Butchery and Farm Shop a sprawling working farm with local farm-reared traditional and specialty meats Roughly five miles north-east of Houghton on the A141 the farm includes a butcher and deli a local goods and produce shop a playground reindeer and

crocodile farms and a small steam locomotive which runs mostly on the weekends Set in a red brick building opposite the deli shop the tea room exudes a Scandinavian pine lodge and rustic English countryside charm and is the perfect spot for a nice chat over creamed tea or a hearty

English breakfast or lunch

12

I started with a classic creamed tea with a plain scone and a pot of Earl

Gray and added a hearty slice of coffee maple walnut cake--a local

favorite Bakers quick-freeze morning-baked scones to lock in freshness

they are then carefully reheated on demand and served with Devonshire

clotted cream and locally produced raspberry jam The perfectly toasted

scone followed by rich mocha frosting and walnut-topped sponge cake is

a truly delightful combination

Church Farm Church Street Old Hurst Huntingdon CAMBS PE28 3AF

11

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

ldquoWith crocodiles tractors and fabulous creamed tea the Eccentric Englishman is a hit with

locals of all agesrdquo

13

Childrenrsquos playground (above) and

a sun-filled terrace (right)

12

Spring 2014

The next ldquoTea Room Treasures of East Angliardquo issue will be released in June and will feature the following tea room treas-ures Peacockrsquos Tea Room (Ely) charming inside and out a true

gem of a tea room Serendipity Coffee House (Godmanchester) blends modern

classic deacutecor with down-home service and fayre The Old Bridge Hotel (Huntingdon) offers historic ambiance

and millionaire shortbread fit for nobility

Summer Issue Preview

A special thanks to owners Jayne (Old Riverview Guest

House amp Tea room) Lyn (Houghton Tea Room) and Tracy

(Eccentric Englishmen) for granting me permissions to

highlight their establishments

Special Thanks

13

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

CA Eccles WriterPhotographer

Member Royal Photographic Society

ArchaeologyHeritage Group

Travel Group

DocumentaryVideo Journalism

Channel 7 Film Production Company

Set Photographer

PADI-certified SCUBA Diver

Earth is home to billions of people all with rich cultures traditions histories and perspectives Writer and photographer Cindy A Eccles (aka CA Eccles) seeks to capture these and other wonders of life through both word and sight Her goal bridg-ing geographic and cultural divides to build trust and tolerance so that we can all appreciate and celebrate our uniqueness and

commonalities with mutual respect

Cindy has advanced degrees in archaeologyanthropology and international relations and a post-graduate degree in journalism She has published both fiction and non-fiction works including former Senator William Coxonrsquos papers (1930-1960) on his pursuits to understand and document petroglyphs Cindy also writes for the Heritage Daily magazine on issues

concerning risks to world heritage

Separately Cindy contributes to travel magazines and news outlets on a variety of travel-related topics You can also follow her own travel blogmdashldquoON the Beaten Pathrdquomdashhighlighting travel experiences to already popular tourist places but with an

eye toward enjoying the same lsquobeaten pathrsquo just the same

Cindy is also a professional photographer delving into the landscape travel and heritage genres Her focus on life in Sanliurfa Turkey was exhibited by the Los Angeles Photo Festival in April Cindyrsquos images and articles have also been published by the Royal Photographic Society and the US De-

partment of Defense

You can keep up with Cindyrsquos adventures and view her latest photo galleries by visiting wwwcaecclescom and she can be reached by email at caecclescaecclescom

CindyEccles

wwwflickrcomphotoscaeccles

CA Eccles

14

Spring 2014

The next ldquoTea Room Treasures of East Angliardquo issue will be released in June and will feature the following tea room treas-ures Peacockrsquos Tea Room (Ely) charming inside and out a true

gem of a tea room Serendipity Coffee House (Godmanchester) blends modern

classic deacutecor with down-home service and fayre The Old Bridge Hotel (Huntingdon) offers historic ambiance

and millionaire shortbread fit for nobility

Summer Issue Preview

A special thanks to owners Jayne (Old Riverview Guest

House amp Tea room) Lyn (Houghton Tea Room) and Tracy

(Eccentric Englishmen) for granting me permissions to

highlight their establishments

Special Thanks

13

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

CA Eccles WriterPhotographer

Member Royal Photographic Society

ArchaeologyHeritage Group

Travel Group

DocumentaryVideo Journalism

Channel 7 Film Production Company

Set Photographer

PADI-certified SCUBA Diver

Earth is home to billions of people all with rich cultures traditions histories and perspectives Writer and photographer Cindy A Eccles (aka CA Eccles) seeks to capture these and other wonders of life through both word and sight Her goal bridg-ing geographic and cultural divides to build trust and tolerance so that we can all appreciate and celebrate our uniqueness and

commonalities with mutual respect

Cindy has advanced degrees in archaeologyanthropology and international relations and a post-graduate degree in journalism She has published both fiction and non-fiction works including former Senator William Coxonrsquos papers (1930-1960) on his pursuits to understand and document petroglyphs Cindy also writes for the Heritage Daily magazine on issues

concerning risks to world heritage

Separately Cindy contributes to travel magazines and news outlets on a variety of travel-related topics You can also follow her own travel blogmdashldquoON the Beaten Pathrdquomdashhighlighting travel experiences to already popular tourist places but with an

eye toward enjoying the same lsquobeaten pathrsquo just the same

Cindy is also a professional photographer delving into the landscape travel and heritage genres Her focus on life in Sanliurfa Turkey was exhibited by the Los Angeles Photo Festival in April Cindyrsquos images and articles have also been published by the Royal Photographic Society and the US De-

partment of Defense

You can keep up with Cindyrsquos adventures and view her latest photo galleries by visiting wwwcaecclescom and she can be reached by email at caecclescaecclescom

CindyEccles

wwwflickrcomphotoscaeccles

CA Eccles

14

Spring 2014

CA Eccles WriterPhotographer

Member Royal Photographic Society

ArchaeologyHeritage Group

Travel Group

DocumentaryVideo Journalism

Channel 7 Film Production Company

Set Photographer

PADI-certified SCUBA Diver

Earth is home to billions of people all with rich cultures traditions histories and perspectives Writer and photographer Cindy A Eccles (aka CA Eccles) seeks to capture these and other wonders of life through both word and sight Her goal bridg-ing geographic and cultural divides to build trust and tolerance so that we can all appreciate and celebrate our uniqueness and

commonalities with mutual respect

Cindy has advanced degrees in archaeologyanthropology and international relations and a post-graduate degree in journalism She has published both fiction and non-fiction works including former Senator William Coxonrsquos papers (1930-1960) on his pursuits to understand and document petroglyphs Cindy also writes for the Heritage Daily magazine on issues

concerning risks to world heritage

Separately Cindy contributes to travel magazines and news outlets on a variety of travel-related topics You can also follow her own travel blogmdashldquoON the Beaten Pathrdquomdashhighlighting travel experiences to already popular tourist places but with an

eye toward enjoying the same lsquobeaten pathrsquo just the same

Cindy is also a professional photographer delving into the landscape travel and heritage genres Her focus on life in Sanliurfa Turkey was exhibited by the Los Angeles Photo Festival in April Cindyrsquos images and articles have also been published by the Royal Photographic Society and the US De-

partment of Defense

You can keep up with Cindyrsquos adventures and view her latest photo galleries by visiting wwwcaecclescom and she can be reached by email at caecclescaecclescom

CindyEccles

wwwflickrcomphotoscaeccles

CA Eccles

14

Spring 2014