Date visited: Wednesday 15th May 2024
Lady Scarlett’s Tea Parlour is a 1940s themed tea room, with its kitchen behind their adjoining ice cream parlour. As well as 1940s decor inside, which extends to windows taped as an air-raid precaution, the table settings are also themed, including the paper napkins and ‘id cards’ at each table. Although not part of the theming, the proprietors also prefer to take payments in cash rather than by card.
Lady Scarlett’s has four tables inside and four outside for those wishing to take tea. It offers a selection of hot and cold snacks, including pasties, sandwiches, baguettes, and jacket potatoes. On the day I visited there were five cakes on display. As well as a selection of teas, including leaf teas and tisanes, beverages on offer also included coffee, milkshakes, hot milk drinks, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages.
I chose a ham baguette, a slice of banana and avocado cake, and a pot of tea. This came to £14.35. The baguette was accompanied by small servings of salad and coleslaw. The cake wasn’t to my taste – it was the only one on offer that didn’t include peel – but personal preferences aside was in all respects a fine cake. The tea was served in a pot with a rather nice green cosy, fitting with the 1940s theme.
Throughout my stay I was the only resident customer, though there was a small takeaway trade that kept the two staff occupied. Whilst it’s not unusual for a tearoom to be relatively quiet in late morning, it was noticeable that other establishments nearby were much busier. Several prospective customers came, had a brief look at the menu, and then left. I suspect the dark interior, and rather faded exterior, of the tea parlour might have been a little off-putting to some.
Lady Scarlett’s Tea Parlour is open daily if the weather is fine, from about 10 am to about 5 pm, with longer opening hours during the summer season.
