Date visited: Sunday 17th March 2019
Cockburn’s Tea Rooms is a small family run business opened in 2013 with tea rooms in Midhurst, with a second tea room opened in Arundel in 2017. Their tiny Midhurst Tea Rooms were situated in the former Knockhundred Market which for two years housed the tea rooms and equally tiny Midhurst Museum. Cockburn’s had two rooms for those taking tea, both on the first floor above the museum and their confectionery shop. With fewer than ten tables, this was one of the smallest tea rooms I have visited, and the proprietor had to turn customers away earlier in the afternoon as all tables were taken.
As it was such a small tea room, the range of cakes was limited, with just four on display, including gluten-free options. Despite that, Cockburn’s still managed to offer a good choice of afternoon teas, with both traditional and savoury teas and a wide range of leaf teas and a good selection of coffees. There was also a lunch menu and, unlike some tea rooms, all menu items appeared to be available throughout their opening hours. Teas were served in Portmeirion Botanic Blue crockery.
A slice of coconut and cherry sponge accompanied by a pot of Jasmine green tea came to £6.20. Both the slice of cake and the pot of tea were substantial, so regretfully I had to decline the offer of more hot water to replenish the tea pot. Both tea and cake were delicious. This was a fine way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Cockburn’s closed their Midhurst branch in the summer of 2019, but continue trading in Arundel. A company called ‘The Midhurst Museum Tea Rooms Limited’ was registered on 26th July 2019, apparently with the intent of continuing the business in Midhurst.
