Paper Mill Lock in Chelmsford - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

The setting is picturesque, the staff, friendly and attentive and the food uniformly excellent. The toasted bacon, sausage and cheese sandwich was a delight. Highly recommended

We went on a Sunday, expectantly busy. Dog friendly. Nice drinks but cakes a bit dry. Overall staff were great so was the service, however this is a costly venue. Be prepared to pay a small fortune for the food.

Even on a damp autumn day, the friendly staff and beautiful surround of paper mill lock tearooms can brighten your day. The toasties are exceptionally delicious and range of fillings extensive. The cakes and bakes are out of this world. I will simply have to go back to work my way through the menu! Take friends because there’s so much scrumptiousness you’ll want to share!

Love this little cafe and the location. Staff always friendly, tables cleaned regularly and food always delicious and timely. May be a little pricier than other sandwich places, but worth it for the prettiest views. Ice-cream pretty good too!! Dogs welcomed. Main lock car park payable £5.

Been several times, fantastic spot, full working lock, free parking for customers, or you can park next door all day for a fee. Simple food made well, excellent cakes and a cream tea, reasonably priced so easy to spend 2 hours here. Cream Tea, Coffee, large slice of cake, and a very well filled toasted ham/cheese sandwich, £21.

Fabulous day spent at Paper Mill Lock, visited the tea room which has sandwiches (both cold or toasted) all £7.00 came with crisps and coleslaw, had a lovely coffee as well. Lovely selection of cakes too. Great staff who were very friendly, just a lovely place to watch the world go by. Car park nearby is £5.00 per car for the day or £3.00 from 2.30pm, closes at 5.30. Will definitely be visiting again 😀

Great place to enjoy a light lunch or, scones and coffee (as we did) by the river. Their car park is small and now the adjacent car park charges £5 . This is not connected to the tearoom so don't blame them. You may be able to park the road but space is limited. There is a canal boat trip (pre-book) that leaves from next to the rearoom so if you go on that too it makes a great afternoon.

Situated alongside the canal bank in a very pleasant setting. Seating inside and out. Very friendly staff. You order at the counter and despite there being a fairly lengthy queue when we arrived we were quickly served. Food was good and no complaints about anything. Well worth a visit.

Friendly and efficient staff. The tea rooms also has its own free car park for 2 hours. The food and drink, coffee,cold cans and toasties were delicious! and the setting is beautiful! we will return soon.

Visited today and encountered the rudest member of staff! Whilst clearing the table from the previous order was effing and jeffing. I told him that I didn't want to hear him swearing and he responded by saying that he can swear if he wants. Unbelievably rude! I informed the manager who wasn't interested to know that staff representing Paper Mill lock behave in such a way!! Will never return!!! B

Very nice spot to go for the afternoon, there's a nice place for food. And walking in the country surroundings.

This is not so much about the tearooms, although we were put off by the prices - £7 for a sandwich!.....an hours drive to visit, only to find no parking ( had to park in village and walk to lock, taking 15mins ).....and even then didn't find it particularly picturesque or interesting. Walked about half an hour along canal, and then returned home. Won't bother visiting again.

Always on the lookout for a good tearoom/Cafe. Went along after reading previous reviews and wasn’t disappointed. Lovely little tearoom. Had a beautiful sunny Spring day so sat outside and had nice coffees and great Cheese and Ham toaties followed by a walk along the river. Definitely going back.

Lovely food, and a warm sunny day so we sat outside. The onion chutney was to die for, and perfect with a sausage baguette. Good tea and coffee. Great service.

This is a great stop for a blast of fresh air, great coffee, and delicious cakes. I used to like the ploughman's lunch, and sad that is no longer available. The food available is not exactly healthy, bready stuff, with piles of gooey coleslaw mixture.

Great staff loved the cakes, huge portions, box provided for my partner to take 60% home! Must be incredibly busy in the summer. Slightly old fashioned toilets but govern3d by space, all clean though. Well worth a visit.

Friendly helpful staff. We had cakes and a hot drink each and both were very nice. Lovely sunny day so we sat by the water. Tables very clean and cleared away promptly when we had finished. Would recommend.

Plenty of parking in field next to tea rooms, £5 p/d (every 5th visit free). Nice walks along tow path, refreshments at tea rooms, (not too expensive for location). Own craft can be put into water but a fee of £5 paid to Essex waterways....

Lovely tea rooms but car parking £5 not fair. Used to be free . Why the change ? I know there is some free parking but this is small and not enough to accommodate.

Drove into car park were we have parked for years with no charge. Now £5 fee to park we turned around and drove out. We always have lunch at their cafe when we come but will no longer go for lunch there total rip off.

Absolutely lovely food and friendly staff, very well organised to avoid a queue. Just a heads up, ditch the coleslaw pot as it goes soggy with the toasties and avoids waste. Also put the serviette with the cutlery as it also became unusable when eating...

We stopped here for a nice lunch on a sunny day. The toasties were lovely but the choice and range was very disappointing. Regardless we still had a nice lunch here. I would recommend

Often come here for lunch as it is so lovely and peaceful to sit by the water and people watch. They do great lunches and cakes and very friendly staff. Just wonder why they don’t number the tables to save the staff walking around trying...

I got out of the car in the tea rooms car park when i was approched by a staff member, he asked if i would be using the tea rooms which i replied yes and i would be having lunch there. Then he said how...

I'd never been here before but friends had recommended it and we weren't disappointed. The service is super-quick and efficient and the cakes are amazing. It's also lovely to just sit outside by the river. We'll definitely be back!

Disappointed NO ploughmans as it’s not the season ! Drove a distance just to get my favourite and the best ploughmans, but had to have a sandwich for £6.50 instead, sunny day the place was packed, service always good, it’s a nice spot hidden away...

We found this place on the map and thought to give it a try. It was so beautiful and the food was incredible. I recommend the jalepeno and cheese sandwich. Seriously good. It's worth the detour for sure.

We often travel over 20 mile round trip to get their Cheese and Jalapeño Toasty. The best you.ll get. Lots of cheese plenty of Jalapeño and good quality coleslaw on side. The staff are so very polite and efficient please don’t forget to tip them...

Stopped off for hot chocolate and cake after a walk along the canal path. Lovely cake and good hot chocolate good service.

Just love this spot, especially in the summer. Service is always polite and quick. Sandwiches are great with plenty of filling, no plastic ham served here. Coffee could be better. But would still highly recommend.

‘Indoors’ and I took our brand new blow up canoes here today and had a lovely time paddling up to little baddow lock , we were nice snd early before every sausage snd his egg were about, the beautifully spoken lady on the car park...

Perfect place to take a break during a river walk. Good strong tea and the sandwiches are packed with filling…..perfect for a lunch stop

Enjoyed a lovely walk this morning along the river watching everyone having great fun on their paddle boards and in their inflatable canoes. A visit to the tearoom overlooking the lock topped off the morning where we enjoyed the toasted sandwiches, cream tea and cake....

Lovely setting by a canal. Ample sandwiches and cream tea for very reasonable price. Quick and pleasant service. Friendly staff.

Paper Mill Lock Tearoom is a great place for cake/lunch on the waterside, plenty of seating with umbrellas. Lots to see on the water (wildlife, boats, dogs...etc) - highly recommended. They have a free, small car park behind the Tearoom & toilets for patrons. The...

Was going to have some lunch out there today, but you have to pay for parking now, never use too. So didn't bother and went to Heybridge basin, parking free and just as lovely.!!shame the tea rooms will loose customers.

had a visit to an open garden, they're not doing tea and cake understandably so popped here, had coffee and cake, well laid out with two hatches

My review is of the tea rooms themselves. Not the car park that is nothing to do with them as I’ve seen in other reviews. The tea rooms have their own car park so not a problem. Arrived on a sunny Saturday afternoon and sat...

Firstly I would like to point out that I am aware that the large car park is nothing to do with the tearooms but I have to rate this as an overall experience. My elderly mother and I visited a few backs arriving at the...

Stopped to have refreshment on way back from our walk. Great to have China mug and plate instead of paper. Why can't more places manage that!!! Friendly helpful staff. They tried to do their best with 2 metre but some members of public seem to...

Visited here today and met with £5 charge for car park. Not sure how long this has been in operation, but thought it was a bit exorbitant. Lady on gate extremely jolly though. Visited tea rooms, had a look at menu which stated that they...

We came two weeks ago, parked in your car park. Had some delicious sandwiches, cake and coffee. Everything was delicious and your walkthrough ordering system was really quick, easy and efficient. You’re all doing a great job to make things as easy and enjoyable for...

PML has been a go-to place for longer than I can remember so frankly, a tad unfair on the tea rooms but they are as much to blame for not mentioning on their website or other signage. . Turned up to find parking is now...

On driving onto the car parking are you are faced with a £5 parking charge, you can’t really turn round and drive out. I asked why the parking charge and was told there are tables and umbrellas now. There are two tables with umbrellas. We...

We decided to walk along Paper Mill Lock as a change of scenery, then finish with lunch in the tea rooms. We have been there quite a few times previously and never had to pay to park. When we were arrived we were shocked to...

Not only are the views beautiful, but a cute tearoom for a pit stop, hot drink and something sweet, perfect. Bought the whole family down on a hot day, social distancing rules are being adhered too, you can sit on a picnic bench by the water. What more could you want.

We have visited Paper Mill Lock many times before lockdown, and really enjoyed it.We thought we go go out for the first time in months for my husband's 81st birthday tea and cake.The car park was £5, just for parking in a rough field and the price of tea and cake had also increased. I know they have obviously lost money due to lockdown, but so have lots of businesses and they haven't overcharged like this, over £14 for half an hour sitting at a picnic table. We won't be going there again !

Hottest day of the year and we fell across this area whilst exploring on a weekend break. Good parking at £5 although lots of cars parked on the roadside double yellows were getting Sunday afternoon parking tickets so would recommend using their car park.The location is beautiful for a lovely riverside walk, plenty going on with kayaks, paddle boards, boats.The tea rooms were exceptionally well organised with all the Covid 19 regulations being adhered too and very well explained. All of the young staff we encountered were friendly, efficient, chatty and polite despite the heat and how busy the tea rooms were. A real credit to the owners. The speed of service was good, and the food excellent. Well priced for the area. Can't recommend this place enough.

I expect that most people would have the same opinion! On a lovely warm, sunny day we popped out to Paper Mill Lock as a lot of friends and acquaintances had said how nice it is there - we can't disagree. Due to COVID-19 we were unable to sit inside to eat but an outside table soon became available. The order was places at one window and drinks dispensed at the next - food was brought to the table once prepared. The ploughman's lunch was huge and I only had one of the three available fillings (yep, you can have all three if you wish). My wife had a sandwich, again this was rather large. Prices not too bad. The only downside is the nearby parking at £5 is a bit steep in my view (I don't think this belongs to the tearooms though). After eating we went for a walk along the tow path and there was plenty of wild life on show, including ducks, swans with their signets, dragonflies and damselflies. The water seems to be safe for swimming, kayaking and paddle boarding judging by the number of people on or in the water.

We went for a lovely afternoon out at papermill lock and decided to pop into the tea rooms for lunch ... I wish we hadn't. Our order arrived and the waiter virtually threw it on the table and didnt even wait long enough for us to take it off the tray. Mine was toasted when I asked for a sandwich. If it had been anything but tuna I wouldn't have bothered to change it but I hate hot tuna. I accept mistakes happen so no problem. When the new sandwich arrived the bread was so dried out I think it had been made for a very long time. It was inedible. The crisps were stale. I didnt bother to take it back as we had already been there nearly an hour waiting for the correct food. Paying £6 for an inedible tuna sandwich and stale crisps was a complete rip off. Definitely won't be going again.

Excellent Toasties in outdoor setting, very relaxing in the current situation. Ordering and service really easy. Recommended.

We had walked five miles along the riverbank, very enjoyable.The tearoom's open air area was open.Great sandwich, really well filled. The tea was spoiled by being served with the teabag still in the mug which made it far too strong. Good value and very welcome after the walk though.

My wife and I have ventured here many times with my parents who are reasonably local and always had a thoroughly enjoyable visit. The food is excellent, nicely presented and with decent portion sizes. The toasties are lovely and have plenty of choice with some less common filings available as well as the old favourites. The cakes are simply delicious and again there is a huge choice, probably too much choice if there is such a thing! The staff also are extremely helpful and really friendly folk who cannot do enough to help. And then of course us the location, it is just gorgeous. Right on the lock with plenty of boats moored nearby and wildlife in the vicinity too, there is nothing to dislike. Added to the fact that you can eat inside or go ‘Al Fresco’ it is a place for all seasons. If I could give a mark of 6 then I would.

Very pleasant experience lovely friendly staff and attentive, great sandwiches and salad lovely cakes and fantastic coffee all round great service and good value, a must visit when in the area 🌞👍

Quick run out on a rainy lunch time. Went in here for a bite to eat. We had tuna sandwiches which were fresh and served with crisps, coleslaw and lettuce. Had cups of tea, can of coke and a slice of apple cake. They also serve soup. As the weather was bad we sat inside, which isn't very big but there is a large outside seating area. Car park was fine, and there are toilets. I enjoyed watch the swans swim along the waters edge. In the warmer months I believe it is very busy and a lovely area to walk the kids and dogs.

A dog walk along the water followed by breakfast at Papermill Lock Tearoom. We were pleasantly surprised to discover dogs are welcome in the main tearoom or alternatively if the tearoom is too busy (or today too hot) then there is an additional cobbled seating area fully sheltered from the elements. We chose to sit in the sheltered area as it was less busy and we didn’t need to worry our dogs might disturb diners. We ordered the Full English priced at £7.95 and were very happy. Food was freshly prepared and took just 20 mins. Plenty toWatch along the canal whilst we waited.

As always Paper Mill Lock Tearooms and the staff always deliver on quality food, and quality service. Have been going there for many years and have taken the trip out to have lunch a couple of times over the last few weeks. As another review stated the toasted cheese n ham is smashing, nice side salad and crisps included. Reasonably priced and great location all year round, as you would expect can get really bust in the summers.

Nice location and good for short walks along the bank. Tea room good quality and prices not too bad. If you want to ride on the canal, phone in and book in advance to ensure a place

We came here several times in the summer and there food and service is very good.Serviced with a smiled and made to feel very welcomed.All cakes are amazing. Cheese and ham toastie are the best we have had so because of this I thought it would be nice to take my dad and the family there today as it was my dad's birthday as he loves scones with cream and jam and they are truly impressive and very yummy so we all took the hour drive to find out no scones are done this time of the year!! Yet they are on their website front page and menu outside when you get there felt deflated only because we had come so far nothing was mentioned about this when I called them the day before to make sure they were open.

I have only been here three times for a cup of tea and a piece of cake. Good value for money. The last time I was there the counter was heaving with cakes. I asked was this local cooking. Seemingly there is a well known Essex company that makes jam as well as cakes.I understand good quality lunches are also available. The tearoom is very popular in good weather. Able see pleasure boat passing through the lock. Trips cost £6. Staff very pleasant.

Friends told us about this place and we said we'd treat them to a visit.Although we knew a little before we came we were still takenby the delightful setting.Clearly you need fine / sunny weather but we were lucky to go on a lovely warm day.Parking was plentiful, and then just up a small bank to the river. The lock and cafe were easily visible off to the right, but people were also enjoying a long walk the other way.We made our way a couple of hundred yards towards the lock and cafe - it was busy but we did find a table for four. We found the menu choices fresh and just right, and sat in the sun enjoying the scenery.A boat ride was available (with a disabled lift built within it for wheelchairs): but in view of the time we decided we'd do this on another visit.

Nice walk along the river followed by lovely light lunch in these tearooms. Sausage sandwich special was great! Don't get me started on the cakes!!

Charming lunch at the waterside located on the river Chelma. Staff are very helpful and friendly. Chose a ploughmans lunch, with thick cut ham. Very good presentation with good amount of relish and pickles. Very good coffee too.

A warm pastel grey sky September afternoon, taking friends there for a cream tea and cake and possibly a boat ride along the canal.....ideal, but spoke too soon.

Had a wonderful boat trip, only £7.00, plus lunch, ploughman’s. Good value for money. Cake was amazing.

Fabulous place to visit very good friendly staff and you get a vegan choice of food. Would recommend to all my friends and will be coming back very soon.

A truly gentle, lovely sunshine day in beautiful surroundings. The young staff are commended for their efficiency, smiles, excellent and speedy service despite the busyness of the day. The 50 minute river trip was tranquil with a young but utterly polite and charming skipper. Opportunity to step out of the rat race, breathe in the river, the fresh cut grass, the vista of the sky, the snuffling dogs along the river bank, the still fishermen and women, the moorhens lily pad hopping, and children and adults happily paddle boarding in the calm stream. Genuinely a place to slow right down and delight in the ‘middle of nowhere’ calm beauty. Visit, slow down, take yourself for a walk, hold hands with your nearest, take the dog for a walk, take the family for a walk, take your soul for a walk. Visit!

My family and I visited today and were treated to some delicious sandwiches, tasty cakes and yummy coffee. Staff were very friendly and welcoming. Plenty of seating alongside the pretty canal. We also treated ourselves to a canal boat ride. Book before you visit though!

I had been looking forward to my trip to the tea rooms.When my enquiry about " gluten free" was not answered I thought it could be because of the time of year. We ventured forth and sadly while my companion had a wonderful choice mine was chocolate browniie [the universal gluten free offering] or blueberry muffin. Surely the signature scone could have been offered glutenfree. Ambiance however was delightful. We will not be bringing our family here

Had a lovely lunch at the tearoom after a boat trip on the river. The boat trip was an hour but a lovely trip and only £5 each. Would highly recommend a visit. Essex has some amazing places to visit.

Went for a ride out stopped and had cake ,

Popped to the tea rooms today with a friend. We had the quiche ploughman’s. Wow! Honestly gorgeous. Sat in the sun watching the boats on the river and in the lock. Loads of seating outside. Staff were all so friendly. Absolutely nothing I’d change. Love it. Would come everyday if I could. Great place for kids, dog walkers, oldies, youngsters. Everyone. Oh and FABULOUS cakes! Thanks PML can’t wait to return!

Paper Mill lock a very attractive destination .Have a nice walk by the side of the canal. Stop at the tea rooms recommend the salads good value.

I visited here with my best friend for lunch. It was an unplanned stop. We drove past on our way to our walk and thought it looked popular, so on the way home afterwards we stopped by to try it. We had to queue to order food, but it went down quickly. There is a cake for everyone and they all looked delicious. They serve all kinds of sandwich/panini, toasted or cold as well as jacket potatoes and Ploughmans. The food came quickly and as made to order. It was tasty and good portion sizes! I would definitely come again if I was in the area as I don't live in Essex, which is a same as I'd probably come every week!! It is also by the canal, so you can go for a walk before or after

We just love walking the dogs here and stoping. At the tea rooms For a cold Drink and a piece of cake it’s so calm And tranquil even when it’s busy it’s a must it’s on our door step it’s a little bit is paradise

What a little gem of a place. Lovely, picturesque setting, clean & tidy & welcoming. Lovely fresh ingredients, lot's of fillings & very tasty. Amazing cakes, lot's of choice & fabulous tasting will be back soon

This is sure to be one of our new favourite places for some beautiful surroundings and a lovely lunch. We initially enjoyed very fresh tasty sandwiches ( very good bread ) and a really decent mug of tea but were later tempted back by all the gorgeous cakes on offer and a second cuppa.Ploughmans and quiche were also on offer, we'll try those next time! The tearooms and adjoining toilets are immaculate and the service was excellent. We were served by a very pleasant young team who all delivered great customer service. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

I am reviewing the Cruise not tea rooms, though we did use this, their coffee machine went wrong and my latte was very strong, I asked for more milk and they obliged. Our Seekers group, celebrating our 15 year birthday, LD adults (28 of us with helpers and friends) Went on a 3hr cruise along the canal, enjoying the locks and views. Weather helped as was milder and nice breeze. The 3 staff were excellent and cheerful and helpful. Food was really lovely and plenty of it too. Could not fault the Cruise or anything about the helpful team looking after us.

This is the second time my wife and I have visited the tea rooms and what a really pleasant location good food friendly staff good service and menu pleanty of seats to sit outside on a sunny day

Fantastic tea room situated at Paper Mill Lock. Lots of outdoor seating available with a few indoor tables too. Excellent range of light bites, including Vegan options too. I had a tuna melt which looked and tasted fantastic. Excellent selection of cakes on offer too. All food and drink really reasonably priced. Free car parking nearby too. Highly recommended! Can get very busy though!

Had to be The Ploughmans again....3 choice, Ham (Plenty of it), Cheddar (A Large block) and the Pork Pie (Good size), its bursting off the plate, bigger plate needed, very nice tea, nice cake, lovely made sandwiches, (Canned drinks way over priced though) very good service, fantastic Location, easy parking, take a 30 min stroll either side of the Lock, very peaceful.

Visited mid week good food for lunch but don’t expect a large menu however the food was good we had the tuna fish sandwiches.

This is a great place to go after a walk. Car Park and great location. Very good choice of sandwiches and toasties, Ploughmans too. Gorgeous cakes to have with tea or coffee. The food here is straight forward done very well and presented well. Such a nice place to stop after a nice walk or even a little boat trip.

We decided to try somewhere different and this had come highly recommended by a friend of ours.

Clean friendly and lovely home made cakes.

Stopped by just for coffee but delighted to find vegan choices on the menu so we ended up having lunch. It was very busy but service was quick and efficient. We will be visiting again very soon.Thoroughly recommend these tearooms.

Having had a pleasant walk along the river banks down to the Mill House Lock and weir, and back, we stopped at the Tea rooms for lunch. There was a good selection of snacks and sandwiches available. The service was quick, friendly and efficient and the sandwiches plentiful, tasty, and filling. It was a warm, sunny day and there were plenty of other people enjoying a similar experience. Sitting by the river on a nice day, a pleasant walk and a good lunch. Lovely, thoroughly recommended.

Had lunch today with a work colleague at the tea rooms. It is the most beautiful location and I have often seen many people enjoy food here. However I have been disappointed that they had no vegan friendly options on the menu until today! I was delighted to see two vegan sandwiches on the menu so we ordered both and both were delicious. So I am pleased to recommend the tea rooms to everyone

After a pleasant walk with the wife and dog we stopped here and had a very enjoyable ploughman's lunch. The staff were very friendly, service was prompt and we're definitely planning on visiting again soon.

Great place near to Chelmsford but certainly out in some lovely countryside. The walks along by the locks long the canal/riversides are excellent and interesting - and there are also pathways to some nearby oldish churches.

Great spot to get outdoors. Tea room serves delicious well portioned food, service is friendly and efficient. The location is very busy on a sunny day with loads of people taking advantage of the walkway along the river.

Once again we visited Paper Mill Lock and found the cafe very busy, although this was to be expected as it was the Easter Holidays.

My parents and I walked by the locks. It's a pleasant setting and then to relax while enjoying excellent cakes and coffee. Well worth the visit.

What a lovely day at Papermill Lock Tearooms. My family and I had a lovely lunch and the service was superb. Highly recommended. Thank you to all the staff 👍🏻

What a lovely place to stop for refreshments on a walk along the canal. So we did stop for lunch the service and food was excellent, but unfortunately the cappuccinos were very weak and tasteless, such a shame that the cheapest part of the lunch was so disappointing.

After enjoying a walk by the river we stopped at the tea room before going home. Enjoyed a lovely coffee and delicious cake while sitting in the sun. Well worth a visit

A lovely little tea room. Basic menu but reasonably priced and when the weather is nice plenty of seating looking over canel and lock. Toilets basic but clean and freshly painted. Great place for dog walkers and cyclists. Great little place for an inpromtu morning or afternoon out.

Great place to have a cuppa etc after a walk, realistic prices and staff charming and efficient. £1.20 for a cuppa and sensible sandwich and cake etc prices. Cakes looked awesome! Please keep these fair prices, unlike Tiptree tea rooms and ypur always be busy. Thanks

Read reviews, but not impressed really Nice setting and walks however lack of parking, tearoom was basic, poor seating With average food Bacon sandwich was overpriced under filled and poor quality so on and so on

Take a walk along the river chelmer, watch the boats using the locks, dog friendly, tea room coffee (mug)£1.60, cakes look nice(£2.70) and food looked very nice, very busy place on a Wednesday during this crazy February weather. Parking is a bit of an issue as it’s on a narrow country lane and in the summer could be bedlam, but worth seeking out