This place had a lot to show for itself as a winner of the Food and Drink awards in a local newspaper a couple of years ago beating my local tiffanys.

I was not disappointed. Offering differing menus dependent on the time of day I could have easily eaten three courses instead of just the cake course I settled on.

The staff were interested in telling us what each cake was made from and this did not help us in making up our minds. We shall be back for sure.

Jon opened the tea rooms in 2002 and after hearing good things from others dropped in there myself and was not disappointed.

It is based on the site of a plant nursery which makes a welcome attempt at making you feel like you’ve earnt your cake or sandwich.

There are sandwiches, jacket potatoes and home-made cakes on the menu along with a good selection of teas to choose from and Jon knows his teas with his father Ian being a professional tea taster.

Pop along and tell him I sent you!

A good selection of sweet and savoury treats await you including recommended sandwiches and sponges. A cake trolley tempts you with around 6 different cakes on my visit.

This tea shop is also well loved by the locals of Danbury – check it out and see why it’s has so many awards to it’s name.

There is a good selection of Breakfast and Lunch items plus tea, coffee and cakes.

There are also some good things for children to eat as well.

A splendid location and relaxed quality make this a firm favourite. The Sands Brasserie is the place to head for once you enter the Hotel. We always head to the front corner of the conservatory so we can admire the view whilst enjoying a cream tea.

A varied menu means it’ll take a while to make your mind up on what you’ll have. The cream tea is splendid, pricey (£6.75) but worth it.

Just a gaze through the window of this bakery and tea shop makes your tummy rumble.

There are whole cakes available along with usual bakery fare on the ground floor where you can takeaway any delights that grab you or head up the stairs to the tea room seating area.

There are booths along with normal chairs and tables to sit at. If there are just two of you go for the tables by the window and you can watch people as they wander along the high street.

It will be hard though to take your eyes off the food. The cream teas are one of the best I have tasted and come with an old fashioned stainless steel pot of tea with accompanying milk jug.

Also recommended are the Cheesecakes. There is a full menu available so this is a place to fill up on savouries as well as sweet stuff.

It has a lovely inside space ideal if the weather isn’t on your side but the winner is the outside garden with around 5 tables or varying sizes to choose from.

Run by Keith and Lindsay Southgate the service is good and the menu varied. You can also take away produce from Muffins as it has a little shop side to the tea room selling local produce and take away ice creams.

A nice selection of teas along with milkshakes make this a great tea room for all the family to enjoy.

I went for the Carrot Cake and Coffee which came with a chocolate straw, a nice touch.

The owner runs a tea shop on Mersea Island in Essex so spreading out to the hussle and bussle of Colchester was quite some move. I wish them the best and will be returning for sure.

Although this is a coffee house it does teas and some great cakes along with a good selection of pancakes and other savouries you would expect from an independent cafe.

There are magazines to read or the place is small enough just to start talking to the person on the table next to you.

Hello and welcome to TopTeaShops.co.uk – the home of Independent Reviews of the UK’s Best Tea Shops and Tea rooms.

On the site you will find Tea Shops and Tea Rooms reviewed from Essex and Cornwall with maps showing their locations and a general review of the atmosphere and choice of the menu.