Date visited: Wednesday 15th May 2024
J & B Blake & Sons is a purveyor of all things seaside at Ventnor, and has been since 1830. Want to hire a beach hut? That would be Blake’s. Want to hire deck chair or windbreak? In each case, again, Blake’s is the business you should talk to. For many years, the place you may have had that conversation is the hut that is now, since 2023, Blake’s Tea Hut.
For those wishing to take tea, Blake’s Tea Hut has ten outside tables on the small pier around the hut. It offers a simple selection teas, coffees, hot chocolates, milkshakes, smoothies, and soft drinks, as well as a selection of pre-packaged snacks such as muffins, chocolates and flapjacks. The tea menu lists two items: ‘tea’ and ‘speciality tea’, the latter being a choice of half a dozen offerings from Dorset Tea. The hut is operated by a single member of staff who, on the day I visited, offered a cheerful “Hello, can I help?” to anyone giving even the slightest pause to look at their menu.
With visits to a couple more tea rooms planned for later in the day, I settled for just a mug of Dorset green tea, for £1.80. This was served to my table in a bright yellow mug with a small green bowl to place the tea bag in once brewed – a touch often missing from much more expensive tea rooms.
Whilst the food and drink offering is basic, with friendly service this is a fine place to sit on a sunny spring morning and watch the world – or at least the waves – go by.
Weather permitting, Blake’s Tea Hut is open daily between 10 am and 4.30 pm.
