Essex


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-roslin-beach-hotel-southend"><a href="https://www.roslinhotel.com/roslin-dining/afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roslin Beach Hotel</a>, Southend </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-20-1000x667.jpg" alt="Roslin Beach Hotel afternoon tea in Essex " class="wp-image-24406" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-20-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-20-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-20-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/3-20.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Feeling fancy? First on our where to eat afternoon teas in Essex is <a href="https://www.roslinhotel.com/roslin-dining/afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Roslin Beach Hotel</a>, the perfect setting to dress up before filling up. And my it&#8217;s worth popping on your snazziest outfit (ballgowns aside) to get stuck in; and by that we mean backs straight, napkins on laps and pinkies in the air. But of course you don&#8217;t have to – we&#8217;ve just come over all <em>The Gilded Age</em>. Anyway, back to their menu including four different sandwiches (chickpea salad on wholemeal, anyone?), plain/fruit scones and pastries and delicacies too pretty to eat. Almost; the Valrhona Dark Chocolate &amp; Passion Fruit Tart is heaven.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-talliston-house-amp-gardens-great-dunmow"><a href="https://www.talliston.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Talliston House &amp; Gardens</a>, Great Dunmow</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-1000x667.jpg" alt="Talliston House Great Dunmow Afternoon Tea" class="wp-image-24524" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/08/Untitled-design.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p><a href="https://www.talliston.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Talliston H</a><a href="https://www.talliston.com">ouse &amp; Gardens</a>, our newest <a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/little-black-book/directory/talliston-house-and-gardens-great-dunmow/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Little Black Book</a> member, was described by The Times as ‘the most extraordinary house in Britain&#8217;. Why? Over 25 years the once ex-council house&#8217;s rooms have been transformed into locations set in a different time and place, from a Moorish bedchamber to a 1920s study and more. Now on to their <a href="https://www.talliston.com/afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">afternoon tea</a> – with the house exclusively yours while you enjoy it. Dine from vintage bone china at their chapel refectory table with homemade cakes, scones, sandwiches and savoury snacks, plus drinks from around the world. Trust us – this is an afternoon tea you 100% won&#8217;t want to miss. How do we know? We&#8217;ve just been – watch out for the review coming soon. </p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mrs-salisbury-s-maldon"><a href="https://mrssalisburys.co.uk/locations/maldon/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Mrs Salisbury&#8217;s</a>, Maldon</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-16-1000x667.jpg" alt="Mrs Salisbury's maldon afternoon tea in essex" class="wp-image-24407" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-16-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-16-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-16-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/4-16.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Mrs Salisbury’s is another on our list of where to enjoy afternoon tea in Essex, with various locations to choose from. We’re heading to Maldon High Street space for their <a href="https://mrssalisburys.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Afternoon-Tea-August.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">August Afternoon</a><a href="https://mrssalisburys.co.uk/content/uploads/2025/07/Afternoon-Tea-August-2025.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Tea</a>, which we&#8217;re a little too excited about. Why? Check out the menu! As well as unlimited tea/coffee you&#8217;ve finger sandwiches including roast chicken with sun blushed tomato, pesto mayonnaise &amp; baby leaf. And warm scones with thick cream and jam. And then there&#8217;s those sweet treats. We&#8217;re salivating over the Piña colada pavlova and Maltesers brownie already.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-tiptree-tea-rooms-various-locations"><a href="https://www.tiptree.com/pages/tearooms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiptree Tea Rooms</a>, various locations</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-23-1000x667.jpg" alt="Tiptree team rooms" class="wp-image-24408" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-23-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-23-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-23-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-23.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>When it comes to somewhere else to eat an afternoon tea in Essex it&#8217;s got to be the <a href="https://www.tiptree.com/pages/tearooms" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tiptree Tea Rooms</a>, part of the world-famous Wilkin &amp; Sons’ brand. Arrive hungry in any of their 10 locations for freshly-made sandwiches, homemade scones,&nbsp;Tiptree Little Scarlet Strawberry preserve and Rodda’s Cornish clotted cream. Want a little extra? Their Afternoon Tea for Two includes mini patisserie items with tea/coffee. We say you should most definitely upgrade and pay an extra £10 for a glass of Prosecco. Cheers!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-down-hall-hatfield-heath"><a href="https://www.downhall.co.uk/food-and-drink/afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Down Hall</a>, Hatfield Heath</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-24-1000x667.jpg" alt="Down Hall afternoon tea " class="wp-image-24413" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-24-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-24-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-24-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/1-24.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Previous&nbsp;<a href="https://essex.muddystilettos.co.uk/muddy-awards/muddy-stilettos-essex-awards-drinks-2023/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Muddy Essex Awards winner</a>, Down Hall, also does an impressive <a href="https://www.downhall.co.uk/food-and-drink/afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">afternoon tea</a>. Served daily, it’s reservations only, as everything’s made to order. Ready to drool? Nibble daintily on finger sandwiches including free range egg mayonnaise, Scottish smoked salmon, ham hock with honey mustard and more. Then there&#8217;s savouries like sun dried tomato and basil arancini. Scones go without saying, as do some mouth-watering sweet treats. We&#8217;ll take the lemon ricotta mousse and coconut and dark chocolate Viennese. Erm, and strawberry and lime tart, and white chocolate and passionfruit crunch. Tastes as lush as it looks, by the way.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-crouch-ridge-estate-althorne"><a href="https://crouchridge.com/afternoon-tea-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crouch Ridge Estate</a>, Althorne</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-14-1000x667.jpg" alt="Crouch Ridge Estate Althorne" class="wp-image-24417" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-14-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-14-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-14-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-14.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>If you fancy an Essex afternoon tea in a vineyard check out&nbsp;<a href="https://crouchridge.com/afternoon-tea-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Crouch Ridge Estate</a>. Of course, you get finely cut finger sandwiches, scones with Tiptree preserve and clotted cream. There’s also cakes and sweet treats, as well as teas or coffee. But we say as you’re in a vineyard it’s rude not to add&nbsp;a glass of their sparkling wine or a G&amp;T for an extra £8. Served in the Wine Barn or outdoors in the vineyard itself, it’s a minimum of two per booking. Call 01621 450450. OK, we&#8217;re really rather hungry now.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-merrymeade-tea-room-brentwood"><a href="https://www.merrymeadetearoom.co.uk/the-doggie-afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Merrymeade Tea Room</a>, Brentwood</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-2-7-1000x667.jpg" alt="Merrymeade tea room afternoon tea for dogs " class="wp-image-24420" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-2-7-1000x667.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-2-7-800x533.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-2-7-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/essex/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2025/07/Untitled-design-2-7.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Fur babies want in? There’s an Esex afternoon tea experience for dogs! Brentwood’s Merrymeade Tea Room now hosts <a href="https://www.merrymeadetearoom.co.uk/the-doggie-afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Doggie Afternoon Tea</a>, when booked alongside us humans. All products are home-baked and have no additives, preservatives, salt or sugar. Merrymeade also donates a percentage from every booking to dog rescue charity, Wallace Kennels. Excellent work, guys. Expect cheese and bacon bites, peanut butter paws, liver bones, chicken pupcake and a puppachino and doggie approved biscuit. Loving the play on names!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-mamma-mia-afternoon-tea-covent-garden"><a href="https://www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea-at-strand-palace.html?utm_source=muddy_stilettos&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=mm_afternoon_tea_week" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MAMMA MIA! Afternoon Tea</a>, Covent Garden </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image"><img decoding="async" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/london/wp-content/uploads/sites/24/2025/08/Mamma-Mia-Afternoon-Tea-Wide-2-1024x683.jpg" alt="Mama Mia Afternoon Tea at Strand Palace " /></figure>



<p>OK, so this is London, but it&#8217;s a short(ish) train ride into town, depending where you live. The <a href="https://www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea-at-strand-palace.html?utm_source=muddy_stilettos&amp;utm_medium=article&amp;utm_campaign=mm_afternoon_tea_week" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">MAMMA MIA!-themed Afternoon</a><a href="https://www.strandpalacehotel.co.uk/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea-at-strand-palace.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"> Tea</a> (£43pp) at the Strand Palace hits the sweet spot (literally). Launched earlier in the year in partnership with the smash-hit musical showing at the <a href="https://www.novellotheatrelondon.info/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Novello Theatre</a>, just a 3-minute walk away (you could splash out and get tickets for the show too?), it’s a sublime mix of savoury and sweet treats inspired by characters and songs from the musical. You’ll be tucking into Donna’s Dynamo Ball, a coconut macaroon filled with citrus curd, and Sophie’s Dream Lemon Drizzle Gateau – lemon drizzle gateau topped with a candy floss cloud, washed down with a cuppa (or MAMMA MIA! martini). Read Muddy’s full review <a href="https://london.muddystilettos.co.uk/eat-out/cafes-afternoon-tea/review-mamma-mia-afternoon-tea-strand-palace/">here</a>.</p>


Piece of cake: where to eat afternoon tea in Essex

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