Philpotts Tea Rooms in Epping Forest

I know I have put visited in. May 2022 but the last time I visited was back in 90s, & no later dates to put in. was visiting the area with my ex husband family & stop off at phillpotts, not sure if they still bake the scones on premises but they use to make the scones, & jam themselves back then The best cream tea I've ever tasted, shame they don't do a phillpotts in newcastle as I moved back to my hometown It was still owned by one of the phillpotts family back them, a remember a guy with dark hair beard & glasses , but I was in my mid 20s then in the 90s Recommend such a lovely place & I do recommend the cream teas 👌👌👌

Philpotts was run by two ladies who retired in 2018, and the café has now been converted to a private house.

Shame. Lovely setting. Nice cream teas. Very unfriendly unhelp staff that make the ruin the whole experience. Left feeling wound up.

Sad to say but Philpotts Tea Rooms has closed down. End of an era for locals and visitors. Sign of the times we live in I guess.

Reading other comments I must say we had great service and was very impressed with a nice traditional tea rooms where we will being frequenting. give it a go I'm sure you'll enjoy it!

This was our second visit We were a group of 10 ladies who had visited the Abbey. The first time we went we were made very welcome and the owner kept the tea room open for us when she had previously been shutting up. Our second visit was even nicer and we were very well looked after. Lovely warm welcome. Lots of tea and lovely toasted teacakes. We will definitely re-visit.

For me going to Waltham abbey is a trip down emory lane I lived in the Abbey for many years up until 20 years ago .this lovely restaurant was the place of choice for my child often having a birthday party or up in the upstairs we often wondered how the customers were squeezed in down stairs but the service was good. Today nothing has changed the warm friendly atmosphere was as welcoming the hot food was welcoming and it was lovely and warm on a chilly winters day. Parking in Waltham abbey is good but nothing on the doorstep for this venue so a short walk brings uou to the door however if need be you can drive into market square to be dropped off Hope you enjoy this quaint little eating house

Lovely people who were very welcoming. You got a decent pot of tea. It would have been nice if there were other options to just wooden tables and chairs.

We drove to Waltham abbey on Sunday 27th December just to get out for a bit. I knew of the tea rooms from quite a few years ago, we used to take my father there tea. He loved the place. I am disabled and after a short walk we arrived tere around 12.15 and the lady inside was closing the door and told me they were shut even though there were people inside eating and anyway it was only 12.15!!

I have been here with family and D friends on many occasions and this little tearoom in the heart of the community never fails to impress me the home cooked meals are delicious and it is like going back in time,it s warm friendly and u never want to leave

This is a quaint period restaurant, quite small but lovely and cosy. The soups and cakes are superb and exactly what you would want when looking for respite from a cold or wet day. The staff are friendly and the service is good. When the weather is good you can sit outside and watch the world go by but the key here is peaceful and homely

dark.DEPRESSING MISERABLE. Food awful, wouldn't recommend to anyone. never been to a tea room like it before..

Oh this was lovely. A very quaint tea shop in a 14th century building. Very nice waitress. Big pot of hot tea and nice tea cups (why does tea taste better from a cup than a mug? Perhaps it's an age thing .......). Incredible value and the smell of lunch cooking could have tempted us if it had been a bit later.

Stopped here for coffee and a sandwich around 1pm today. I had ham salad sandwich on brown. The bread was stale and hard and I had to break it off and eat what I could. When I opened the sandwich up the lettuce was brown. Partners white prawn sandwich was also stale and hard so he did the same. Minestrone soup looked like mush with sliced carrots and noodles mixed in it. Waitress was lovely and friendly and asked if all was ok so I showed her all the hard bread and lettuce. She said she would show the owner but she never came back to us but happily took payment for the overpriced food!

My sister and l have just visited this dreadful place.the young waitress was ok.the tea cups were stained.the crispy bacon sandwich l think was the worst food experience of my life.l left it and the tea.the windows overlooking the church yard are filthy.the room is drab and featureless.as we came out l believe it was the manager/owner standing outside talking and sucking on an e cigarette who said goodbye.do yourselves a favour and give this place a miss.they could have made it a nice cosy historical experience but it definitely isn't that.even a customer was sitting there sucking on an e cigarette.

I live very close to this place and am a regular there. It is one of the very rare, traditional tea rooms left anywhere. run by a family who are warm and friendly. When warm, they set out some tables outside in the sun, right next to the resting place of the great King Harold. Its set in a traditional buckled and small premises which is clearly a listed building. You can guarantee the place will be full the moment the doors open. They serve a very simple menu of Tea/Coffee, cakes, sandwiches, toasties, jacket potatoes etc etc. Its just one of those places where you can sit own and truly unwind whilst enjoying a drink/snack. A place you will remember forever that you went there. An absolute MUST for any visitor to Waltham Abbey

Walking from the ruins of the Abbey this is the first place visitors see but it is not open early enough so thus missing out on lots of business! It's in a lovely old building and we would have loved to have given them our business but had to go elsewhere in the town instead!

These tearooms are right next to the Abbey in a very old building and are quite small, with 8 tables. It was very quiet when we visited, but we liked the old feel to the place, and it looked very clean. The menu is standard, but with a few golden oldies, such as bread and butter pudding with custard, and toasted teacakes. We thought the owner was quite strange, maybe a little drunk? She called us pet, darling, love and sweetheart the whole time, which I hate, and she was insistent that we order our drinks first, she could not cope with each placing our individual order. The couple arriving after us, had to hand in their wet jackets, she did not want any drips on her floor, and called one of them a naughty boy, so patronizing! Her attitude gave us the giggles, we sat their waiting what she was coming out with next.

Have eaten here several times as the location is good to the Abbey Church. The food is normally good and served with friendliness, albeit often cleared before all have finished eating!The place a very small and cramped and the outside furniture not secure enough to be moved for larger parties, the table fell apart when we tried to move it!

Philpotts tea room really does put Waltham abbey to shame, we could have a much nicer tea room there but we don't. It really makes you not happy because as a member of the Waltham abbey community it makes Waltham abbey look like a dump. I would love to recommend this but I can't, we still want the tourist though but just go to a different one. It Herts me to rate it so low.

With so many other lovely places to eat and drink in Waltham Abbey, I strongly advise you to find somewhere else to spend your money. This used to be such a lovely place and I have enjoyed lunching here on many occasions, HOWEVER things have changed drastically. I have never in my life met such a rude owner. I went here with 2 friends and we wanted to order our food first to get it on the go and then we would order our drinks. We were told "NO I TAKE YOUR DRINKS FIRST". When I asked if they did a latte, a menu was slapped on the table in front of me and i was basically told to read the menu. I could go on and on. To be honest, I wished I had got up and left but we were very pushed for time and just decided to stay. Absolutely disgusted. This is not an over the top review from a one off disgruntled customer, sad to see this place decline so badly. Having spoken to a couple of other friends since, they also confirmed much the same treatment when they last visited and word on the grapevine is that it is possibly going to close down? Not sure if this is true but it maybe explains the sharp decline in service and quality.

An astonishing level of rudeness - if you are so minded you might enjoy the challenge.We just walked out!

A lovely setting, but unfortunately the owner is very rude. We wanted two separate bills on one table, but apparently we were unreasonable ! Food was quite dear for the portion sizes and having sat outside the owner came out and had a cigarette wafting smoke our way. Such a shame as it's a lovely location and could be so much more. I think it's a shame they've encroached on the churchyard with their tables too, the grass area is ruined.

i used to go here a lot but not bean for a few years, what a shock it's grubby little place, staff not clean the lady that served us had a very grubby apron on i understand if you are preparing an serving and clearing up you get grubby but come on change at least couple times A DAY!!!she also smelt of smoking yuk, plates cups and saucers chipped also teapot spout, all i can say is it's not up to good standard an if the regular user's accept how it is that's up to them............

Stopped of for a coffee and snack, while deciding what to have was more or less told by the women serving to hurry up and might up our minds " because she wasn't a mind reader " needless to say we got up and left

I have been going to this lovely little tea rooms for my Sunday afternoon break for 2 or 3 years now .and have never failed to enjoy the staff and the pleasant "oldie worldy "atmospheresuch a relief from the current trends ,long may it continue ,thanks

Today I was recommending Philpotts to a friend - I was surprised am disappointed to see so many negative comments - I can only speak of my own experience. I have been visiting Philpotts almost every Sunday afternoon for at least 12 years and I find the atmosphere homely all the year round, the food is always to a good standard and the service is excellent, I always feel welcomed. The added bonus is the very picturesque interior and surroundings. It is so refreshing to find somewhere so relaxed and with such well prepared 'home made' food - not at all like the fast food restaurant we are all so used to these days.Incidentally as regards food hygiene I believe that the local authority have rated Philpotts with a 5 - the highest they can award - I will check this Sunday. I would urge you to come and judge for yourself - and before anyone says it, I do not have any connection with the owners or staff.

A bit like one of those teashops that I remember from childhood before they were replaced with chains. A good view and location next to the abbey. Had a bread pudding with custard which was very nice and a huge pot of tea. I found the service to be perfectly acceptable, prompt and courteous. I would certainly return.

Very good, home cooked style food. Not many tables but this adds only adds to the homely feel. Excellent view of the Abbey and grounds.

The owner basically sexually Harrast me, feeling me up to see if I was comfortable, the time it took for my scones to come, was like forever. Avoid big time!!!!

I nearly avoided this venue due to the bad reviews here, but, on reading them, they seemed a little too 'over the top', so decided to check it out for myself.The facts...Its NOT filthy, they would be closed down if they were, as all food businesses get checked on.It IS run by a Scottish lady, who has a sense of humour, which some my mis-understand.They have been targeted by people who, having been ejected for VIOLENT behaviour towards staff, have the abused this review facility for spite. We stayed 3 hours, drank 6 coffees, & ate a teacake, not something you do in a rude fillthy establishment. The proprieter explained that she has had enough of offensive customers, she is selling up...such a shame..good luck.

Next to the Abbey in the town of it's name, this Tearooms is delightful.As well as drinks, there are snacks and dishes of the day available.The food is good, served quickly, and the service is excellent.

The place was dirty with the woman attempting to serve being mean in mouth and attitude, and no one in there right mind should go there or pay money.(I actually thought she was joking than realised she was not!!) Not unless you want a good fight with an unpleasant Scot. But why pay money there when so many more places in Waltham Abbey who welcome you and are clean. We left because of the above with the woman shouting profanities to us as we left, not what you want when meeting family or friends.

Have had much better scones, and there was immediate confusion over a very straightforward order. The sign on the door said closed and the board outside confused me as the pointing finger on it indicated the tea rooms were in the opposite direction. I was concerned that no antibacterial spray or appropriate cloths were used when wiping down tables. Perhaps the waitress was having a bad day. Should have listened to the lady in the Abbey who clearly didn't rate it! Such a shame as it is in a lovely spot.

I have never written a review here before. I am so disgusted however I have no choice.My wife and I decided to take our daughter who has special needs to Phillpots for lunch. My daughter slipped off of her seat and cried. When we went to order the lady serving asked us to leave in case we disturbed the other customers (we were the only people in the place)We will never go again and will be making a formal complaint as well as informing the local media.There are far nicer places to eat in Waltham Abbey.

If you want rude, appauling customer sevice then this is the place for you, if not avoid this place like the plague, there are plenty of other places in Waltham Abbey for refreshments that treat their customers with respect and good service sadly this is not one of them, the staff are unbelievably rude!

I entered the tea room with a friend and we were immediately attacked! Told to move outside as were clogging up the walk way? We went outside to sit down and were asked are we mad! As we apparently moved the table , she was shouting and spitting like a maniac, we immediately left, the cafe it's self looked dirty and neglected, do not waste your time or money, I'm sure the good reviews on here are written by the staff themselves

So nice to find a nice tea shop instead of the more usual café, with plastic furniture. Reasonable prices, nice home made soup, and home made scones, although they were a little too crumbly to get the jam and cream on.

If you want to be verbally abused by the rudest proprietor since Basil Fawlty then this is the place to come. From the moment we stepped in the door we were snapped at for even deigning to enter the establishment and shouted at to shut the door! When I explained that I wanted to see what cakes they had on offer and that we would be sitting outside we were told in no uncertain terms to get outside!. As we were stopping for refreshment from a long cycle ride we thought ,as we are the daughters of clergy, that the grounds of Waltham Abbey would provide us with a suitable resting place. How wrong we were!!! Our bicycles, which were leaning carefully against the wall, were deemed to be instruments of the devil by the proprietor judging by her reaction to their position. She told us to remove them with no please and " do we not realise that the walls are 100 years old"!! We left immediately without tea and to the sounds of her abuse ringing in our ears. Fortunately we found a charming welcome from a less picturesque café in the square which we would highly recommend to all visitors.Apparently Philpotts Tea Room has a reputation for this appalling service and I can only think that any recent good reviews have been written by the proprietor herself. The experience will remain etched in our memories forever. Visit at your peril....!!!

We go there regularly and have always found the service and staff to be efficient and friendly. Never had any cause to complain. Food is fine for the price, dinners are always piping hot and tasty. The lady in charge is helpful and nothing is too much trouble for her. Recommended!

We went out for the afternoon and decided to have a cream tea. The waitress who served us was unbelievably rude. My Mum politely asked for coffee, the waitress snapped that there were 5 coffees to choose from to which my Mum replied she would just normal coffee. This was not on the menu so my Mum chose expresso. A few minutes later the waitress came and said that the expresso was very small and offered my Mum instant coffee... The waitresses tone was awful, she'd already upset us, so we just told her to forget it and left to which she said a nasty comment of not being able to make up our mind. Just don't go there, we left in disbelief having never had such nasty service ever before.

I've been here before, but not for a while. Visited this morning with my husband, and was pleased to say it was everything I remembered. Staff couldn't have been friendlier. Top up my pot of tea? No problem. Crispy bacon sandwich for my husband? No problem! Slice of toast - 50p! What a little gem of a place in an idyllic location.

Best Ever!!! Nice food, and nice old atmosphere. I would certainly recommend this to my friends :) :).

Called in here to get out of the rain and have some refreshment! Very pleasant and efficient staff. Just the place for a nice cuppa and a sandwich or toasted tea cake after taking a look around the Abbey or King Harold's grave.

you can sit outside 30 ft from the Abbey and actually see KING HAROLDS resting place! In the summer its full of flowers in October we have KING HAROLD DAY in the Abbey grounds which are a thousand years old,where we have jousting ,mead tasting and even strike your own money! Also check out the copy of the dayo tapistry which is still being hand sewn by a local lady and tells the story of the battle in which The Old King lost his eye !

Housed in a very old and interesting building with outside seating for good weather. The menu is varied and quite surprising for a small place. We hired it once for a family party and had a great time

at there Saturday just a sandwich and pot of tea, all so fresh and nice, they used to sell a set tea but don't any more, please philpots bring it back......

I visited these tearooms in 1986 with my grandparents. Back then, it was a delightful place. I took my wife there to revisit these happy memories...I wish I hadn't. As other reviewers have found, we found the staff to be very rude. We were left waiting to order for an age whilst they chatted in the kitchen, and when we asked if we could be served got a snitty response. We then overheard the staff talking about us in the kitchen, saying how unreasonable we were for asking to be served. We then heard the older lady who I believe is the one that features so much in these reviews say what "terrible, terrible people" we were. We were served by a stroppy teenager who had little interest in working there.The cream tea was passable, but everything had the sense of an investment of the minimum possible effort. Jam in sachets, plastic tablecloths, terrible plastic garden furniture. And the place mats looked as though thy had just been dug out of the ground. They obviously hadn't been replaced since 1986. Such a prime location in a beautiful, historic place should not be occupied by a people who have no interest in running a place well.

Lovely location, average food,, both more than inadequate to substitute the despicable rudeness of one of the staff, who I assume is the owner.... Her behaviour caused a customer to walk out, in tears... Quite frankly, I was shocked, primalarily that she would behave in this unacceptable manner and secondly, that she is still able to operate, having read many negative feedback comments on other websites....