Alice's Tea Room, Acres Down Farm in New Forest

I would give this tea room a zero, i asked for gluten free options, none offered ever, i asked for a can of lemonade i had just done a 7 mile walk with friends, i was refused as they only my offer a cream tea minimun spend £4.80. My friends ordered a cream tea each i asked for my lemonade to go on there order, the lady RUDELY said no can't do that either. So i sat thirsty and hungry while my friends ate there cream tea. I will never go back there, neither will my friends, why i could not have a can of lemonade is beyond me, do they not want customers?

This tearoom offers cream teas during the summer season only. It’s part of a working farm and cannot cater for allergens or special diets. The cream tea is excellent value for money (2 scones, jam and cream, a large slice of home made cake and plenty of tea) which is fine if you can eat all those things! My coeliac friend and I took our own scones and cake but had no reduction in the price! Anyway, we still enjoyed it as we were with a large group of friends and the good company made all the difference…..

Had to add a post after having a most wonderful afternoon tea in the gardens today. Took 24 people from one of Milford WI’s activity groups. Annie was great to work with - made the booking with ease. We had 2 scones each (which were delightful) served with a choice of two jams and cream. Then a piece of homemade cake (the coffee and walnut was to die for!). Washed down with tea. Exceptional quality of scones and cakes and good service too. Well worth the money too and such nice gardens to sit in. Annie took us around the gardens afterwards and talked a lot of the trees and plants she has planted herself over the years. Some fabulous specimens. It’s not a manicured garden but a lovely one and so peaceful. People need to realise this is NOT a cafe so you can’t just order a cuppa and nothing else. Annie and her daughter are running a cream tea / tea and cake venue and that’s the choice. Some may not like that but if you don’t then don’t go. But if this suits you then please go. You won’t be disappointed.

Sadly I have to agree with the 1 star raters. The lady serving this establishment is blunt and lacking in the social skills needed for the “ hospitality “ business. I assume they rely on the constant supply of new lambs to the slaughter to keep them in business. Even a simple request to have another pot of tea to go with our compulsory cake and scones is answered as “we dont do that” . As for a revisit “we won’t do that”

-8.00 for a cream tea with buttered scones, fresh cream and a piece of cake. -Homemade cakes, multiple to choose from. -We chose a piece of the coffee walnut and the banana cranberry cake. -Nice atmosphere in their little garden with spring flowers. -Both the coffee and the tea were average. -This is a small establishment where there are a few options to choose from. The options are clearly posted. -The Lady serving was friendly. -There are only a few tables and understandably, being that this is a tea room that serves cream tea, there is not an option to only sit and drink a beverage. --Cash only-- -For the price paid you are given a very fair portion. -If your looking for a spot to relax then this is a great place, if you are only looking for a drink and are in a hurry then it would not be the best option for you.

Such a shame looked so inviting, lovely garden, cream tea was actually delicious but was met by a very rude a miserable owner. We had cash, so that wasn’t the problem. We had a young child with us and only wanted a glass of water on a hot day, the problem was they don’t do water. It was the manner in which she spoke to us. Unfortunately this was our first impression of new forest, was such a shame as we’d been looking forward to visiting. Would just like to point out though that the farm shop next door was very helpful and was able to purchase a bottle of water. However we moved on with our bike ride and visited a pub just 10 mins down the road and was welcomed by them with lovely food and friendly people. We will definitely give Acres down farm cream teas and camping or as noted on here it’s called Alice’s Tea Room Acres Down Farm (same place) a wide berth next time.

I wouldn't bother going out of your way. The place was closed with no indication of when it would be open. We visited at 1pm, then at 2pm we hung around for half an hour, no sign of any one.

Visited today with friends and was given 2 options of a cream tea forc£7, or a drink with a slice of cake for £4.50. I asked if I could have a drink with a scone instead of cake as I'm not keen on cake. I was informed very abruptly that "we don't do that". I decided not to have anyrhing. The inflexibility lost her a customer, which is perplexing, and frankly rude to serve my friends and se me go without a drink on a hot day.

I visited here with a Special Needs class. It was obvious from the moment we walked in, that we were not her correct "type" of clientel. There were 11 of us and we asked if we could have teas, and were rudely told "WE DO NOT DO THAT, WE ARE NOT A CAFE, WE ARE A CREAM TEA ESTABLISHMENT" So I asked if we could have 7 cream teas for the students and 4 teas for the staff, to be told "I SAID NO, NO TEAS ON THERE OWN, THERE IS A MINIMUM PAYNENT OF £4.50 FOR EVERYONE WHO IS HERE. IVE RUN THIS BUSINESS FOR 45 YEARS, IF YOU WANT A CAFE, GO TO LYNDHURST " So, we had to then get our very disappointed students out of the tea room and off to Lyndhurst. The students commented on how mean the woman was. I've never been spoken to so rudely, I'd recommend you AVOID this TEAROOM (it's not a cafe!) And go to the cafe at the visitor centre in Lyndhhrst where the staff are amazingly friendly, helpful and accommodating for our students.

Visited with my SEN class, rude elderly owner did not want to serve us in her empty tearoom. Insisted that she was “not a cafe” and could not just do tea for staff and the cream tea for students. Minimum spend of £4.50 which she would not negotiate as she had been doing this for “45 years”, and we should “travel to Lyndhurst instead.” At least it showed my students how not to behave in a customer service environment. Do not bother!

What a lovely location, perfect to try a cream tea, or so we thought! We went in to find it was a cash only venue, which was fine, there is very sporadic signal coverage in the area for card readers etc, it is the new forest after all, so we went in to be welcomed by the owner. Sadly that was where our lovely experience ended ! She was abrupt and rude to our children, and when we explained we wanted three cream teas for the children as they wanted to try them, she said “ well how many of you are there” ? ( there were seven of us including the children) she then made it quite clear that if seven people come in, then seven had to pay???!!! ( god forbid if anyone shared a scone) “ But the children want to try it” we explained, the lady just shrugged at us. My wife the said “oh tell you what don’t bother” and we left. As we did so, we were met at the entrance by half a dozen or so other unsuccessful customers, all with similar stories. Amongst ourselves we worked out, due to her rude and abrupt policy of “per person only” service, she had turned down about £70 in 15 minutes! We (and the other disgruntled customers) then spent our money in the adjacent farm shop on snacks and drinks, the owners of which made it quite clear was a completely separate business. At one point we thought it was a comedy show, and there were hidden cameras to catch our reactions, sadly however, it tuned out to be a miserable sorry experience, which left three sad children, and four parents wondering if we had just visited the twilight zone ! The farm shop was lovely, but the cream tea shop was a huge disappointment. Visit if you want a laugh, it’s certainly an experience 😂

…. this would be it!!! We chanced upon this Tea House and decided to pop in to refuel before carrying on walking with our three children. My friend spoke to the lady who worked there to ask for a table. She was told to read the sign which said “please wait to be served” or something similar. She wasn’t doing anything, just wanted us to wait! We realised that we didn’t have enough cash to buy for everyone (who does these days?!) so asked to buy 3 x cream teas for the kids and the adults wouldn’t have anything. We were told that wasn’t allowed as there was a minimum charge of £4.50 per person. The lady was rude, obnoxious and to be honest, I think slightly crazy! There was a congregation of unhappy people who had been refused service for a number of apparent misdemeanours. It was so bad that it provided us with lots of laughs that day! If I ever go back to the New Forest I will pop in just to see what kind of mood she’s in that day! And then leave without spending a penny… (in the literal sense. Customers aren’t allowed to use the WCs either 🤣🤣🤣)

A limited menu, limited tea options, but I can understand the reasoning. Having said that we enjoyed a large pot of tea with scrumptious cakes - the pineapple and cherry was lovely! It was a sunny afternoon so we sat outside in what is in effect the owner’s back garden!

Aweful, minimum charge of £4.50!! Can’t just get a tea have to have cake ! Cream tea consists of supermarket scones . Cash only. All in all a very poor experience. I really wouldn’t bother

Amazing cakes and atmosphere. Would definitely recommend The apricot jam was delicious! The price for the afternoon tea was £7 per person so very reasonable.

We arrived after our Forest walk to discover an enchanted garden, a friendly welcome and delicious tea and cake. What a gem of a place!

"Read the sign!" snapped the lady behind the counter as we tried to order just a coffee. "You don't have to have it with a cream tea, but you'll still have to pay for it' she barked, leaning her elbows on the counter like she...

Having rode 4 hours on our horses to have a cream tea we were met by a very rude lady who said it’s cash only - we were just short of the minimum spend they require as it’s gone up and they haven’t updated the...

Lovely area and a nice little tea room. Very reasonable price for scones, tea AND cake. Very friendly service too. Unfortunately the scones weren't the best I've had and the cream was whipped not clotted. Was nice to have two variants of jam but again...

Lovely friendly people serving good home made tea and cakes at reasonable prices. Lovely place to relax, especially in these troubled times.

Came with friends who had visited before and we weren't disappointed. Friendly welcome and excellent service. Garden is pretty and very peaceful. Enjoyed the scones and cake was delicious. Very good value for money. Yes, the menu is limited but if you have are in...

Pretty garden- shame the service doesn’t match up. V grumpy older woman who needs to learn some customer service skills and a smile wouldn’t kill her either! Scones were pre-buttered and cream was whipped not clotted but hey it was only £6, including cake. Won’t...

Awful greeted by a women with a terrible abrupt manner as we were about to order. Really put off. Also a bad smell in the cafe.

On a hot day in the New Forest we found leafy shade and a peaceful spot for some tea and homemade cake in this pretty garden. We were also able to buy sausages from the farm shop to take home for supper.

This place is fantastic! Can't recommend a visit enough but.... whilst the home made scones and jam were delicious there were 2 big disappointments. The scones were pre buttered - take it from someone from the West Country you don't have butter with a pukka...

Alice's Tea Rooms is a quiet and tranquil spot just on the outskirts of Lyndhurst. Literally set in someone's back garden. Friendly staff (and little helpers) who were attentive and polite. Great walks up and behind the property with views across to The Isle Of...

We met to celebrate the life of someone very special to us all who loved to have tea here. Pretty surroundings, very welcoming staff and an extremely reasonable, very tasty afternoon tea of scones and cakes. Would definitely recommend and will return.

My husband and I stopped for the first time at Acredown Farm with our three dogs whilst walking in the Forest for the first time on Tuesday after a recommendation from a client. We had good friendly service and very enjoyable food. I think people...

We called in for a coffee & browse the farm shop. What a lovely surprise easy menu. Tea/coffee & cake or cream & scone tea/coffee, a very good choice of cakes 5 or 6 all home baked-beautiful! Good sized portions and a very fair price....

We always visit here when cycling in the New Forest. It’s delightful. The tea room has an indoor and an outdoor area (in a lovely garden) and it is so peaceful. Service is fantastic and the homemade cream tea followed by a choice of homemade...

We visited with a group of disabled people last year and sat in the garden. The woman and her daughter were very unwelcoming, unhelpful and downright rude. We will not be visiting again! Avoid at all costs. Cakes dry and no choice of drinks or dietary requirements.

Stumbled upon this tea room while out in the area and initially thought 'what a treat' Nah. Avoid. From the dog muck covered lawn to a minimum spend being pointed out before I even asked for anything. I am unsure how this runs. Shame really.

This place is a wonderful little gem. Lovely little teashop joined onto a working farm with shop with a quaint garden (also a sun trap) to enjoy tea and homemade cakes in. There isn't a menu - no need - this place does what it says on the tin... Cream teas and hot/cold drink and cake. The cakes come out on a tray so you can choose them in the flesh (much better than a menu where you have to use your imagination) - all extremely calorific, moist and gorgeous. I had coffee and walnut - was given a huge slice.. it was sumptuous. The tea was refreshing and clean in taste. The ladies serving (possibly mother and daughter?) were lovely - they seemed like genuine farmers' wives serving up incredibly lovely cakes. Generous wedge of cake and tea was £3.50. Be warned they can only take cash.

After a wonderful family walk in the new forest today we got a little lost driving home. We stumbled across the small farm shop. We popped in for a look and purchased some bits. When although the tea rooms were advertised being closed on Mondays were apparently open . So whilst we are there we decided to stop for something to eat. And where do I start ?!

Took a 5 mile walk with our U3A group across the New Forest with a planned break for coffee and cake at this tea room. Broad smiles to greet us and we were soon served with our drinks and a choice of several mouthwatering home made cakes (my favourite being the coffee/walnut sponge) brought to our table in the garden. Remarkably reasonably priced too. The whole group was unanimous in its praise and we look forward to another visit this year.

We have visited the tea garden several times while in the New Forest. We have always had good service, good coffee, good cake and interesting chats with the owners. There is a sign telling you about the minimum spend and the limited options of food. It is what it is and obviously works for them. We had no problems and were very happy to sit in their lovely, peaceful garden watching the robin hopping about and listening to the bird song. We have stayed in their holiday cottage too which was very nice and just a few steps away from open forest and the downs. From the tea garden or the small Acres down car park there is a lovely walk to Bolder Wood. We will be back next year.

We walk extensively in the Acres Down area of the New Forest with our Beagle, who is always made welcome, and usually end up at the Tea Rooms.

On arrival lady who served us was not very welcoming to start with and explained that you couldn't order just a cup of tea they had a minimum spend policy so you had to purchase cakes and scones. Scones were nice but lemon drizzle cake was definitely not home made and very dry.

My parents wanted to take my children out for an afternoon tea treat. Such a shame that they unfortunately chose this awful place. The staff were incredibly rude. They ordered drinks for the children and 2 cream teas which came with a huge pot of...

The reviews are very much like marmite Either you like what you get or you don't The menu is basic tea and cake or tea cake and scone (with cream and jam) I like the tea room and visit after walking in the Acres down...

I have visited Annie's tearooms for the last 10 years .I always enjoy my visit and have introduced many of my family and friends who also enjoy it. I also enjoy the farm shop when there . I always find them friendly and always seem...

¿Qué puedo decir? Dos de los tres miembros del personal que vi eran muy Grosero y brusco. Tienen dos opciones, o té helado té y pasteles. La merienda fue la peor excusa para un té helado que he tenido la triste placer de comer. Los bollos vinieron con mantequilla, guste o no, y la crema fue montada. ¡Puaj!

Realmente estoy sorprendido por muchas de las recomendaciones negativas aquí. Encontramos el salón de té y el propietario absolutamente encantador. No puedo creer la cantidad que se obtiene por £5. 50:2 x scones, porción de bizcocho y taza de té cada uno.

Vivimos cerca de New Forest y estaban explorando el área alrededor de Minstead buscando una zona para caminar por el almuerzo y ejercicio el perro. Vimos un aparcamiento, aprovechamos y entramos en el bosque. Preciosa y tranquila zona. Mi esposa estaba interesado en la tienda de al lado de la granja y luego descubrimos Annie's Tea Rooms (no Alice! ). Hay un buen jardín de buen tamaño con mesas en el exterior, así como en las grandes habitaciones de té. El menú es simplemente un clásico té de la tarde (té, bollos, mermelada, crema con una porción de un pastel de una buena selección) o té y una porción de tarta. El jardín es informal y con una buena selección de plantas. Las dos señoras que lo dirigen era muy amable, estaban muy ocupados con muchos clientes ese día, pero la comida llegó bastante rápido. Leer algunas de las otras críticas. . . . . Si esperas un restaurante formal con menús impresos, manteles damasco y camareros de uniforme no es para ti. Si te gusta curiosear una gran colección de teteras, pasear por el jardín y luego participar en una casa a un precio razonable - té de la tarde, hecho ya sea en o fuera, es para ti. La tienda de la granja debe ser buena, ya que mi esposa abastecido!

This is the 3rd time I have visited and will definitely be the last. I will also make a point of contacting friends I have recommended to here to tell them not to visit. We were a group of 9 (3 "leaders" and 6 young adults with learning differences) today and arrived at around 2.30pm and there were just another 4 people when we arrived, who were just leaving. We occupied 2 tables and were well behaved. There is a set rate for a drink and a cake of £3.30. We were greeted by the younger owner and we asked if 2 people were able to have 2 teas between them instead as one CANNOT eat gluten and the other prefers GF. This venue does not provide gluten free options. She instantly became agitated with us and said not. We pointed out that we had done this last year, but she said it definitely wasn't with her, and walked off. Next moment, her mother comes out and was exceptionally RUDE and blunt and said absolutely not, it was a minimum charge per person of £3.30. (an increase of 10% on last year) .Totally inflexible. We tried to be reasonable with her, after all, it was more profitable for them to serve 2 cups of tea for £3.30, than tea & cake for 1. There came only what I can describe as verbal abuse. It was quite shocking & a Master Class to our young adults in how not to behave. Even they were shocked.Ironically, most of our team did not enjoy the cake. Lemon drizzle was dry/stale, the cherry was soggy & dense and the chocolate was dry also. The teapot was not clean and was scaly and was full of loose leaves and no strainer. The rude older lady owner just didn't care and we did not see her for the remainder of our time there.An absolutely AWFUL experience and one we will not be repeating. We will happily take our custom elsewhere. Do save yourself the bother as there are so many other venues to visit in the area that are both friendly & welcoming - particularly Furzey Gardens for one!

a bit dissapointing as we made a special trip of 20 miles because it was recomended but very average

I we had a nice time with my girlfriend Really nice coffee and TeaLovely sandwich that you expect in an English tea roomAmazing chocolate cake. Homemade ! And not a full chemical cake from other places And a really lovely young. Girl as waitressReally efficient and so polite that make a change from the service we have in London or even in a other coffee place we have been around.Place to go definitely .

A real disappointment. Very inflexible approach to their cream teas. Can't have a drink and a scone. You have to have cake too! When we questioned it, the rather abrupt owner told us that she'd been in business for forty years and in that time, prided herself in NOT giving into customer requests! If you're in the area, then the tea room in Minstead is way, way better.

Other cakes available, fruit, coffee/walnut, chocolate. All made on premises all delicious.knowledgeable owner re beautiful garden, not too manicured. (My preference)

We arrived at this tea room following a lovely walk in the New Forest. We visited the farm shop first where a very nice lady was attending so thought the tea room would be really good. How wrong we were!! We were met by a very unfriendly lady who 'humphed' when my wife asked for just a green tea. Plain tea or coffee and soft drinks are the only ones available. The menu on the wall was pointed out with only a £5 a head option (drink, 2 scones and cake) or £3 a head option (drink and cake). No other options are available. There is a minimum spend of £3 per person so you cannot share a £5 option and just buy a separate drink. The grumpy lady that served us came round with the cake options and lumped them in front of us. Customer service was obviously not part of the cafes reason for being there. The garden furniture needed a good scrub. We will not be going back. They do not deserve any custom.

While it pains me to write negative reviews we all felt it would be worthwhile to give anyone considering afternoon tea here a heads up. Despite a lovely garden we had an awful afternoon tea here. There wasn't a menu and when confronted by the waitress we were expected to know what we wanted, somehow conjuring the menu from thin air? She plied on pressure and was quite put out when we suggested we might need some assistance in choosing without a menu. Service was with a huff, rather than a smile. To add insult to injury the very average scones came with multiple hairs in, a touch that had also been applied to the jam. The cakes were average and the cream served with the scones was the type of whipped cream that comes in a compressed canister rather than clotted.

Popped in after a nice walk round the forest. Very friendly and polite. Tea and scones deal a must. Included enough tea to sink a ship two fresh scones with cream and two choices of jam and a slice of cake from a selection of fresh home made cakes all for £5 pp. The coffee and walnut cake was fantastic. Also dog friendly. Highly recommend.

I regularly use the tea rooms after a walk and cannot fault the service or standard of food. Although I advise to double your length of walk if you are going to tackle a cream tea!!!!!!

We went by coach there .The farm shop was very small .We were bundled inside the cafe like sheep for a cream tea .It was a very warm day no windows open and the cream tea was terrible, the cream they used was disgusting and the staff didnt know what cake they were handing out.I will never go there again

The lady that greeted us was extremely rude and hostile! Luckily we escaped as didn't have cash whilst in the local village we looked up the reviews and from the initial greeting we decided to never ever return.

Lets start from the top. I walked into the empty tea room and asked very politely if the proprietor wouldn't mind if i used her loo, as we were genuinely planning to return to the seemingly wonderful tea room to enjoy a refreshing cup and a slice of cake after our cycle through the forest (a little cheeky i must admit but thought it could be handled gracefully). She replied, "What's wrong with the woods?". "Excuse me?" i replied. "Well whats wrong with going to the loo in the woods?". Now, being forced to inform this rude lady that the 'woods' wouldn't be suitable for my current situation (i.e. not needing a no.1) is absolutely ridiculous!! " The toilet is for customers only!", which i agreed with her was absolutely fine, " I understand that, but as i was saying, i intend to return to your cafe after our bike ride for a cup of tea and slice of cake". "NO, its for customers only!!". "Fine, can i have a cup of tea and slice of cake then please?" At this point she sort of shrugged and turned away to busy herself with some dirty spoons. At which point my patience completely exhausted, i left. My main issue here is not that she didn't allow me to use her facilities and that she didn't serve me, as we know anyone can refuse service for any reason. Its the way in which she did it, she was rude, dismissive and completely out of order suggesting that I use the woods as a loo. Clearly, i would have if the woods had been suitable. Following this, trying to become a customer and order some tea, she still refused! Anyone body with this sort of attitude doesn't deserve to be in business. We shall not return.

Actually this is mis-named - it is Annie's Tea Room!This is a family enterprise with a farm shop on site too. Everything is home made and is quite delicious and the coffee cake truly is the best in the country!Very, very reasonably priced for the New Forest with a pot of tea and a generous slice of cake costing £3 per person this season. The joy of visiting here is the fabulous garden with some great plant specimens - there is a conservatory if it's wet. Annie's is open from Holy Week before Easter to the end of September.This is a real new forest Institution and no body should leave the area without visiting!

My Mum suggested we visit here for a cream tea a couple of weeks ago as she had visited a couple of times before.It is in a very pretty location, in the middle of the New Forest and on a lovely sunny day it's situation is hard to beat (but not hard to find!). It is very reasonably priced having two items to choose from: Tea and Cake for £3 or Cream Tea (which included scones and cake) for £5.I asked for a glass of tap water prior to my cream tea which seemed to cause a problem for some reason and I felt I had to justify requesting something so simple and was made to feel a bit awkward so not the best start.Our first waitress was fine but the second we had I can only describe as surly. There was no personality and she just a tad short of being rude.The tea and scones were nice but the (very large) slab of lemon cake was quite dry and, unusually for me, as lemon cake is my absolute favourite, I was unable to finish it and took half home for my son to eat.The whole place felt a bit grubby which is such a shame. Sadly, I won't return, but I'd like to think we just caught them on a bad day.

Been here a couple of times now on a walking and Camping weekend, we decided to have breakfast the Fri/Sat we were there, "Fantastic" the campsite is good toilets clean, and the showers excellent, it's a family run business and they run it very well, we shall be going back.

been a few times now coach outing from club zround 40 and we have all thoughly enjoyed it. food lovely so e of us took our pieces of cake homw as the scones were really all we could manage. nice garden if you want to sit outside

We were on a walk through the Forest and stumbled across this Tea Room, it was a welcome break and the weather was beautiful so sat in the colourful garden. Coffee and cake both fresh were delicious.

Three weary walkers, one of them a French visitor, hoped for a simple cup of tea. We were told that it would cost £3 each for a cup of tea and cake, or £3 each for just the cup of tea. We could have understood had the cafe been full, but we were the only ones there. Our French visitor was unimpressed by such an English welcome and hospitality. We shall not go again.=

Lovely few hours spent at the Acres Down tea room . Dogs allowed fantastic cream tea with real cream , my wife doesn't drink tea but had hot water with lemon so our diverse tastes were catered for . The deal is you get an extra slice of cake after you've finished the lovely scones ! The surrounding woods offer wonderful walks or cycling .

I have never experienced such rudeness when asking for a simple cup of tea, which when it arrived came in filthy dirty cups with a teaspoon covered in jam. The sugar bowl also revolting! The outside chairs were covered in bird poo! The cakes were practically thrown on our plates by the same miserable ill-mannered person who appeared unhappy to see her first customers of the day! Beautiful setting though and the only other pleasant thing that happened was that we left!!NEVER TO RETURN!!!

We were recommended Acres Down by friends. My husband and I had a cream tea for £4.80 and tea and cake for £2.80. That way we got a scone and a piece of cake each! The choice of cake was great - strawberry, cherry and pineapple, coffee and walnut or chocolate and very generous portions. Sadly they don't offer decaff tea. The owner, Anne Cooper, was very friendly.All in all, worth a visit - very good value!

We visited this as a published tearoom in a book of Teashop Walks. There were 2 of us and we asked for one cream tea consisting of pot of tea and two scones with the usual trimmings for £4.80 plus one further pot of tea so that we could share the scones. The only alternative was tea and a slice of cake at £2.80. "You can't do that" was the over officious reply." Minimum spend of £2.80 per person." " But surely the extra pot of tea would take it over £5.60" "We don't do it that way - minimum £2.80 PER PERSON." "OK then we'll each have tea and cake." She arrived shortly afterwards with a pot of tea for 2. I couldn't help remarking "A shared pot - thought you didn't do sharing!" The sergeant-major, sorry the proprietor, then said "Are you sure you want to be here?" As she has the only teashop for miles around, I replied "Yes this tme, but never again."When the tea for 2 arrived, my companion said she wanted Earl Grey. "We don't do Earl Grey."By the way the tea and cakes were very nice but the proprietor doesn't deserve to stay in business with that attitude.

My daughter and I were staying at the attached camp site and arranged to meet other members of the family at the tea room for drinks and cake. We found the table covered in crumbs and the dirty-looking highchair unusable as the strap clasp was missing. The waitress-owner arrived and we were offered a choice of cake and tea or coffee at £2.80. My father-in-law asked if there was Earl Grey tea and I asked if there was decaf coffee. Both requests were met with much eye rolling and derision. Normal tea and coffee then! As a coeliac, I tried my luck again and asked if there was gluten free cake. This time there was more venom in the response; no there was no gluten-free cake and although I could just have coffee, I would still be charged for the cake as well as this was the offer. "This is a farmhouse and this is the only way we can stay in business!" was the icy, if confusing, justification. We managed to negotitate that I would have the coffee and my daughter would have the cake; although the old bag made it clear that this was a major imposition and really we should both be paying full price. The food came minus cutlery so I asked for some forks. "We don't have forks. This is a farmhouse," she replied dumping teaspoons on the table.The food and drinks, I must admit, were top-notch and very reasonably priced. Shame the service ruined the experience. If all you want is literally just tea/coffee and cake then it's great. If you're thinking of anything slighty different then be prepared to be made to feel as welcome as a turd in a swimming pool.

I was invited by friends to visit Acres Down tea rooms, but after reading such awful comments I went with dread.Well we were greeting by Mrs. Cooper who was very friendly. We had our full cream tea which consisted of 2 scones, cream, homemade jam, tea - refillable! and a homemade piece of cake. This cost £4.80, or you can have just the cake and tea/coffee for £2.80.We sat on a beautiful sunny day in the pretty garden. I was really happy to find it so nice and had to write this review.I would return, but Weight watchers would disown me. I am not sure if we were just lucky, but my friends have been a number of times and have come away with positive comments. Thank you.

Nice fresh cake with nice hot tea and coffee..friendly stuff....nothing we didn't like about the tea room..................

What a lovely lovely way to be given an afternoon tea. You are welcomed into the farmer's garden, which is stunning and has tables under parasols at good intervals across the lawn, and are allowed to relax and enjoy the view while the sweetest of ladies comes and takes your order in the friendliest of manners. Your need for cake is taken as a given, which removes any of the guilt form ordering one! lovely! Ant the home made jam, scones and cakes were a triumph. Go hungry, you won't need dinner after this tea! :-) There is also a cute little farm shop just next door, well worth a visit, with lovely produce and plants. Really lovely afternoon out, I would highly recommend this place. It is also tremendous value at under a fiver a head. Visit http://www.acresdownfarm.co.uk/cream-teas.html for photos.