Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia (Autumn 2014) by caeccles

Celebrating A Great British Tradition: Afternoon Tea!

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Featured Tea Spots: Castle Rising Kettering Stamford October 2014 Autumn Issue

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Autumn 2014

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia Tea Notes The days are getting shorter and colder weather is on the way, but don’t despair. Afternoon tea, with a pot of steaming hot tea will help you ease into the beauty of fall! Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia’s fall issue takes the tea room aficionado to opposite ends of East Anglia, beginning in the northeast and running to the southwest. The three highlighted tea rooms range from farmland-style to the height of elegance of the stately home, and each present scrumptious, specialty dishes and down-home classics.

“There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” (Henry James, The Portrait of a Lady—1843-1916)

With the summer days behind us, let’s embrace the change by exploring the other treasures of East Anglia and reacquainting ourselves with that fine British tradition of Afternoon Tea!

Inside this issue Tea Notes

.................

Map of East Anglia ....

Afternoon Tea ............

Unique Tea Room .........

Glebe Farm Tea Room .

Orangery at Burghley House

Special Thanks!............... .

Winter Issue Preview ......

About the Author……. ..

Image Credits Image credits: all images and content provided by CA Eccles, unless otherwise indicated. All works under copyright restrictions. Front: Mist rises over a small stream with rich fall foliage all around. Left: A twist on afternoon tea.

~CA Eccles

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Autumn 2014

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Afternoon Tea: A brief history What better way to experience Great Britain than to participate in “afternoon tea”, 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, Afternoon Tea platter, Serendipity, Godmanchester

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!

“Tea to the English is really just a picnic indoors.” Alice Walker (1944- )

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 “sinking feeling” in the late afternoon and with none of the current pomp and ceremony was served a pot of tea and a light snack of sandwiches and cake. 6

Anna Maria Russell, Duchess of Bedford (3 September 1783 – 3 July 1857) (courtesy Wikimedia Commons)

Autumn 2014

The Tea Room Awards: Stiff Competition! The U.K. Tea and Infusions Association (formerly the U.K. Tea Council) is an independent body promoting tea and its history.

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

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 ‘tea cup’ to ‘tea cup’ 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 a tea room expert of any kind; the criteria I use when visiting tea shops are far less sophisticated. I look for just-right scones, with fresh cream and preserves, and a selection of rich homemade tea cakes, finger sandwiches made with locally sourced ingredients, and warm and friendly service in a relaxing, and charming setting. And let’s not forget...a perfectly brewed cup of tea!

Under the Association’s guidance, tea experts covertly visit establishments and score them using sixteen different categories including décor, cleanliness, and staff attitudes along with a variety of tearelated tests such as appearance, flavor, and staff knowledge. For example, porcelain, bone china, or other glazed stoneware is better for retaining heat and will garner a higher score than pots made from aluminum, pewter, or enamel. Visit www.tea.co.uk or www.afternoontea.co.uk/teaguild-members or more information on membership and more!

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Unique Tea Room (Castle Rising)

Menu Unique offers a classic British menu with an all day breakfast, madeto-order sandwiches such as sausage and chutney or classic ham and brie. Cakes include everything from Victorian Sponge and CoffeeWalnut to Marzipan and Lemon Curd.

Unique Tea Rooms and Garden is a classic team room, but with a view! The charming house has at least three rooms for dining, and a well-appointed garden. Thankfully, the tea room does not attempt to fit as many tables (or bodies) into whatever space is available. Instead, there is ample space to enjoy your brunch, lunch, or early

supper! The classic countrycharm interior is warm, and covered picnic tables in the front garden offer refuge from the summer sun as well as great views of the castle. Staff are cheery and helpful, and keep a look-out for pensioners giving special tender-loving care with seating and service needs. Heart-warning indeed!

Hours______ Mon/Sat: 10.00a-6.00p Sun: Closed

Parking_____ There is no parking— except for disabled—at the tea room. However, there is a car park across the street (around the ring road) at the Unique antique shops. Or if vising the castle, just leave your car at the car park . The tea room is only about a 5-minute walk!

Contact_____ Tel:

01553 631800

Castle Rising, Norfolk, King’s Lynn PE31 6AG To kick off the experience, I sipped a strong pot of Earl Gray as I waited for my hearty twist on the usual afternoon tea: a plated lunch of bacon and brie quiche, new potatoes, and fresh, tossed salad with cherry tomatoes and sprigs. The zesty quiche was light and airy, perfect for a warm summer’s day, while the summer salad was chock full of nutritious garden veggies. I couldn’t leave with out sampling the lemon zinger cake, which I paired with equally zingy and refreshing orange squash. The cake was moist, with an extra heaping of cream in the center. The lemon sour candies on top added an extra “zing”!

Autumn 2014

“The name says it all—unique in every way!”

A hearty twist on afternoon tea with new potatoes, fresh slaw and salad and piping hot bacon and brie quiche (top); and don’t forget tart lemon cake with orange squash! (right)

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Menu While labeled a “tea room” Glebe Farm presents an extensive menu including a “Farm House Brunch” with full. English Breakfast, international cuisine sandwiches as well as British classics such as Steak & Ale pie; don’t forget the hearty Sunday Roast with all the fixings!

Glebe Farm Tea Room (Kettering) Situated immediately off the A14 near Kettering is Glebe Farm Shop and Tea Room with its perfect blend of Scandinavian décor and rustic country charm. The interior was warm and inviting with a blend of matching country manor tables and chairs spaciously placed throughout the steppeddown dining area. There is a smaller seating area in the main

shop. There is also plenty of seating on the open deck, which looks out over a fenced play area for the children and sweeping views of the rolling hills of the East Anglia farmland..

The tea room is very popular and regularly busy, but the staff are super friendly and eager to point out their favorite dishes!

Hours______ Mon: Closed Tues-Sun*: 10.00a-4.00p *Reservations recommended on Sundays, as a carvery lunch is served and seating space is limited

Parking_____ Glebe Farm has ample parking, tho spaces close the tea room are limited.

Contact_____ Tel: 01536 513849 Website: www.glebefarmshop.co.uk

Glebe Farm, Rothwell Road, Kettering, NN168XF With so many choices (the cakes and scones are on display), I decided on both brunch and lunch, selecting a raspberry-almond scone and cream with side-car strawberries, and a luscious grilled chicken parmesan sandwich! Other twists on the classics include a lemon scone, lightly dusted with confectioner’s sugar, and paired with clotted cream and lemon curd. The hint of lemon in the scone was enhanced ever-soslightly by the clotted cream and lemon curd. A definite dynamic duo!

Autumn 2014

Lemony goodness all around with lemon scone and lemon curd (top); Classic grilled chicken parmesan (above); Luxury berry-almond scone smothered in cream and sided with strawberries (right)

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Menu Part of Burghley House in Stamford, the Orangery Restaurant ‘s menu is as refined as its host establishment! Starters include crispy duck salad , while heartier options include homemade burger from locally-raised beef. The Orangery also offers a special Afternoon Tea menu with a light option of scone, brownie and fruit cake; their signature Orangery Tea with orange scented scones and sandwiches; or, the Champagne Tea with sandwiches and cakes.

The Orangery at Burghley House (Stamford) What better way to truly experience that great British tradition than to take afternoon tea in the gardens of a stately home? Thanks to the Orangery at Burghley house, you can! The gloriousness of the house, aside, one gets a sense of royalty when being served by the friendly staff. The architecture, interior designing, and of course the open gar-

dens will transport you to another era and will offer a peek at what might considered leisure, luxury lifestyle. There is both indoor and outdoor seating, and you can order at the til or at your table. Dining in the grand gardens with scrumptious food and service fit for royalty is an experience that you will want to repeat!

Hours______ Open daily from 10am to 5pm, while the Garden Café is open from 11am to 5pm.

Parking_____ Parking at Burghley House is free of charge. There is a slight uphill walk from the main lot, although special needs parking is available.

Burghley House, Stamford, LINCS PE9 3YJ

Contact_____ Tel: 01780 761989 Website: http:// www.burghley.co.uk Email: orangery@burghley.co.uk

Formal Afternoon Tea is served from 3pm to 4.30pm. As I visited during brunch, I chose a simple creamed tea with a pot of Earl Grey. It was a drizzly day, but that did not dampen my excitement sitting among blooming lavender in the garden! I selected the plain scone slathered in rich clotted cream and fresh strawberry jam and topped it off with a large, and a slice of coffee-walnut cake. The scone ‘s exterior was lightly flakey, hiding a light and fluffy interior. While most cakes have two layers, I was pleased to have a single layer with smooth and flavorful topping; it was surprisingly light despite its size!

Autumn 2014

“Sitting in the gardens with a pot of tea and scrumptious coffee-walnut cake...this is the life!”

Lavender in full bloom around the wroughtiron fencing (above)’; a classic scone with cream (right) 13

Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia

Special Thanks! A special thanks to the managers of Unique Tea Room, Glebe Farm Tea Room and Shop, and the Orangery Restaurant at Burghley House for granting me permission to highlight their establishments!

Special Winter Issue Preview The next “Tea Room Treasures of East Anglia” issue will step outside of East Anglia as we tour the Kave Houses of Budapest in search of that perfect cup of tea! 

Central Kavehaz



Café Gerbeaud

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Ruszwurm



Gerloczy Cafe

Autumn 2014

Earth is home to billions of people 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: bridge geographic and cultural divides to build trust and tolerance so that we can all appreciate and celebrate our uniqueness and commonalities with mutual respect.

CA Eccles Writer/Photographer Member, Royal Photographic Society  Archaeology/Heritage Group  Travel Group  Documentary/Video Journalism Channel 7 Film Production Company  Set Photographer

PADI-certified SCUBA Diver

@CindyEccles

CA Eccles

Cindy has advanced degrees in archaeology/anthropology and international relations, and a post-graduate degree in journalism. She has published both fiction and non-fiction works, including former Senator William Coxon’s papers (19301960) 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 travel blog—“ON the Beaten Path”—highlighting travel experiences to lesser known gems within already popular tourist destinations. One does not need to travel “off the beaten path” to have a memorable and unique experience! Cindy is also a professional photographer with interests in the landscape, travel, and heritage genres. Images from her series on life in Sanliurfa ,Turkey was exhibited by the Los Angeles Photo Festival in April, and Cindy’s images and articles have been published by the Royal Photographic Society, heritage, and travel magazines. You can keep up with Cindy’s adventures and view her latest photo galleries by visiting www.caeccles.com, and she can be reached by email at caeccles@caeccles.com.