The Essex Rose Tea room in Colchester

We were recommended as A child friendly tea room and with 2 adults with 3 children under 3, I soon felt rather anxious while one of our children tried to get himself comfy on the bench seat, which was fitted with loose cushions, when the waitress lent over us and firmly said “ No don’t do that, get down!” Very hostile behaviour considering we had only just arrived ! She then returned to tell us that she used to be a Primary School Teacher, by which time we were feeling very on edge and rather nervous for the children to attempt their frothy hot chocolates 😳 The venue itself is beautiful and quaint. Very in-keeping with the very charming village of Dedham .

I should have noted previous reviews before going here for a quick breakfast. I think the sausages had been cooked before and reheated, the mushrooms seemed like they were from a tin - but I was assured they were fresh and cooked in a pan with water. Either way they were horrible. The place did seem grubby as other reviews have suggested. Tiptree need to up their game here!

Lovely tea room, lovely staff. Always good standard food and friendly and helpful staff. In great setting. Always feel at home here and staff always go extra mile to help out. Highly recommend the afternoon tea.

Our experience of this place was very poor. No jacket potatoes, mozzarella or vegan cheese available when we came to order ( there was no indication of this before we chose). Very slow service ( how long does it take to do two toasted tea cakes and three toasted sandwiches?) When the food arrived, the sandwiches weren’t what we ordered and it took another age to get correct orders. No apologies either. Needless to say, we didn’t leave a tip.

This is a proper tea room without being pretentious or over-done. Delicious cakes, and some unusual varieties to choose from, such as St Clements cake (not to mention some crocheted sandwiches in the window, but sadly these were not on the menu). The cream tea was the best. Two large, freshly baked scones, with cream and choice of jam. It was a really lovely experience.

Myself and two friends enjoyed the best afternoon tea I have had in a long time. Everything was clearly freshly made .. we were a bit fussy and they accommodated every request in a friendly fashion. What set this apart from other experiences were that each person gets old and hot drinks for the set price , the quality of the food and the lovely staff. Book in advance. This is something to look forward to

We were celebrating joint birthdays as it was my partners birthday today and mine last week. We had a great welcome from the staff, the food was freshly prepared, served quickly and delicious. The service, especially from the Manager was excellent. All in all had a lovely lunch and would certainly recommend.

One of the best full English breakfasts I've had in a long time! Very tasty, good quality ingredients and lovely, friendly service. Not to mention the value for money! I wasn't able to sample the cakes but they looked incredible.

Whilst the sandwiches and cakes were lovely, the service is friendly bit very slow, despite the tearoom not being full. We chose the place as it is dog friendly, which definitely is as they offered water and chose the right table for us. The price are slightly on the high side moreover because the offering is a simple choice. Overall friendly staff and lovely food but service too slow and pricey.

We were sent here from the Marlborough whose kitchen was out of action due to a fire for breakfast. Uninterested & surly waitress and the breakfast was dire . We didn’t finish it , it was that bad , we just got up and walked out .

Nice meal with family. Generally service and food very good for a reasonable price. The only complaint I would have was that the roll I have with my ploughmans did not seem same day fresh

We had to wait 45 minutes for our food which gave me time to look around. We sat at a table next to the windowsill which was filthy dirty. On our table was a wooden holder which was also dirty. There was a dark wood sideboard used by the waitresses which had a thick layer of dust, even the cloth on the table with cakes was dusty. The staff were very pleasant and we're cleaning the table tops between customers but the rest of the place looked like it hadn't had a proper clean for ages. Oh and the food was disappointing after the wait too!!

We were gifted a voucher for 2 afternoon teas and our local choice was at Dedham. Having recently had 2 afternoon teas elsewhere we were very disappointed. Usually you get a variety of sandwiches, but no - u both had one choice only. My husband wanted prawns but I am allergic and no one wants 4 of the same sandwich, so he had to choose one I could eat. The scones were lovely, couldnt fault them. We got 4 tiny different small cakes - not two of each like other places, so I had to cut each one in half - they were so tiny it wasnt easy to do. Such a shame we were really looking forward to it. If you want a lovely afternoon tea on a diet this is the place!

This poor review is based on one factor: my daughter has a nut allergy and when she asked if any of the cakes ontained nuts, she was told they had no information on ingredients. This is astounding - surely any establishment serving food must know what the food is made of. She ended up having a scone as the only safe choice.

All young staff waiting on the tables and they were very polite and all smiled, happy to take your order. Ordered a butchers ham sandwich, thinking it would be a tasty thick cut piece of ham. If you held up the piece of ham up to the light when it arrived you could have seen through it? Wife had a brie sandwich which was packed solid but completely tasteless.

Waited about 5 minutes before anyone noticed we were there, once seated service was slow. Ordered toasted sandwiches which were tasteless the side salad was not that but instead a pile of spinach leaves with the stalks left on with no dressing. Coffee was awful, cake was dry. Overall terrible service and substandard food. A shame because it is in a prime location and it has so much potential to be better than it is.

Always love coming here. Friendly and excellent service and amazing cakes on offer. A range of sandwiches, salads, coffee’s and afternoon teas. Plenty on the menu. Lovely atmosphere inside. At the end of the tea rooms you can purchase sweets and ice cream (also purchase via the outside side entrance. Also sells a range of Tiptree jams and gin. Definitely recommend this lovely place for food, teas and cake!

Visited twice recently, once for brunch which was delicious... pancakes with choc sauce and berries and lovely fresh tea. Second time was afternoon tea abs cake. Delicious bakewell and coffee cake but tea wasn't very strong or warm second time around. So good that they...

I habe been to Dedham Tea Room many times and they never fail to deliver. Such friendly service, our waitress was so accommodating with both me and my friend with very young babies with car seats. She found us the perfect table with most room....

I visited today with my grandson and his partner and 1 year old great grand daughter.This is the 2nd visit and unfortunately my last We hadn't booked but we're shown a table. After about 15 minutes we were asked for our drinks request. This was...

We have been visiting here for 19 plus years and it was a favourite however we have noticed since COVID it has deteriorated. We went to day for breakfast and didn't mind the wait as we look forward to a freshly cooked meal. However the...

Waited inside the door to be seated for far longer than would be normal. Place was one-quarter full, if that. Eventually greeted and given our choice of table. Followed by a *very* long wait for our order to be taken. Drinks served in a reasonable...

After a lovely walk along the river from Flatford Mill we had a walk about Dedham and settled on this lovely cafe for a sit down (and food!). It's a really lovely olde world tea room, surprisingly big once you get in. We all decided...

The staff are very kind. More than you expect them to be. There is art work on the wall and the tea rooms are tudor. The staff look after everyone and are good with people who have special needs. They think of their customers as...

We had been huge advocates of Tiptree tea rooms, that was however until the horrendous visit to the Dedham Essex Rose tea last Sunday. We were told when ordering there was a 20 min wait on food (it was less than half full inside a...

I was pleasently surprised by the quick and efficient service and the quality of the food. I have no idea of cost but understand it is very reasonable as the sit down lunch was kindly provided by the family at the wake of a dear...

The Essex Rose Tea Room was one of my favourite places a few years ago. I brought my 13 year old daughter last week for the first time. I was so excited for her to try the amazing fresh scones that I can remember being...

Have been visiting here for many years but today was unbelievable. Stale, oily cake that had obviously been left out in hot weather, staff were so rude when we tried to discuss with them. We were told there was nothing wrong with the cake, just...

We also used to be regulars, however we came for breakfast and honestly it was absolutely awful the sausages where actually so burnt I took a photo ! I never normally write reviews as I think it’s damaging to a business in hard times. The...

Called in here for lunch on a Sunday with my gluten intolerant partner. The waitress was very friendly and pleased to help and advise with my partners allergy. The cafe was clean and we had a very nice lunch on a scorching day.

We were so looking forward to having a delicious cream tea with Tiptree jam Unfortunately the scones whereas dryers old toast the cream was tiny insufficient for the two scones and the jam was also tiny insufficient for two scones per person when I asked...

Rude, miserable, unwelcoming staff. We were told off as soon as we walked in and sat down. We walked out. It also would have been a lonnnng wait.

Agonisingly slow! I was a regular customer but will no longer visit due to awful service. I fear the staff are harming the business.

I come here a lot with partner to eat. The food is lovely and the staff are very friendly and helpful. We always leaving feeing pleased we visited

We stopped in the pretty village of Dedham and fancied a drink and slice of cake. Sadly Tiptree Tea rooms have really gone downhill. When they first started opening tea rooms they were very high quality, not so any more. We waited by the sign...

The lunch was lovely and the staff even though they were very busy were brilliant . The big let down though was the toilets they absolutely stunk or urine, even my two year old granddaughter commented on the smell .

Excellent lunch on an unexpected stop in Dedham. Very friendly place with good choice and quality. Much enjoyed and would highly recommend. Short stay parking just outside.

Lovely toasted sandwiches and a delicious pot of tea. Welcoming and friendly service. Centrally located and free parking across the road in this beautiful village. Very clean. Accessible. Recommended.

Lovely trip this lunch time with my mum. Staff were all very friendly, polite and welcoming. Food was amazing as always and very quick service even though it was very busy. Would highly recommend a visit to this lovely establishment. Staff were very which to...

Had a lovely lunch here today with my daughter,. The food was very good , lovely coffee and the service was very good. We were greeted with a smile and shown to a choice of tables. Will most definitely visit again.

Popped into this lovely old fashioned tea room to have a full English breakfast with a friend recently. The food was excellent you also get a free refill with my filter coffee... which was appreciated.The Staff was very polite and helpful. I can’t believe some...

What on earth has happened? This once lovely venue has gone downhill. Visited for a light snack with my friend, waited for ages to be even acknowledged. Then told there was no tables available by a female staff member. I pointed out the many empty...

My husband and I were bought a gift card for Christmas, and, having both recently had COVID, we decided to treat ourselves and cash it in, now we had our well earned freedom. I rang first to check out times, as I know how popular...

Covid cannot be blamed for taking three quarters of an hour to serve tea and scones/cake!!! Especially when the tea room wasn’t that busy! All our various cakes came out at different times, some of us had finished before the others had started theirs. The...

My husband and I visited here yesterday afternoon. We waited to be seated for 10 mins. Eventually I can only assume it was the manageress asked "were we alright there" I replied saying "we have been standing here for 10 mins waiting to be seated"....

I've been going to the Essex Rose for a number of years and have never failed to be pleased with the warm welcome and friendly service, whether my visit is for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon tea. The staff are cheerful and committed and the...

This is one of the worst run tea rooms I’ve ever been in. The manageress turns people away claiming that the tables are reserved when they clearly are not. How do we know this - because during our 40 minute stay, at lunchtime, no one...

Visited this lovely tea room with friends for my birthday. Ordered afternoon tea with the Prosecco. How disappointing to be served half a glass of Prosecco (the manager said it was a measure but it definitely wasn’t!) The sandwiches had crusts on which is not...

Very nice building Very good food Amazing staff Decent price Unique location Tip tree jams and sauces. Nice people around

Have been here for breakfast with friends at the weekend twice this month. First time we visited there were 8 of us and the second time 5 of us and both times the food and service were great. The cakes we bought to take away...

Ordered two coffees and two cakes. The coffee was really enjoyable but cannot comment on the cakes as they never materialised. Although the young lady who took our order was polite and efficient, the lady I complained to about the ‘no show’ cakes was less...

Lots of other reviews about poor service and poor quality of food. I have to disagree with the food reviews, but unfortunately not the service. I understand that service can be weak, when it's extremely busy - but the Management need to support their staff,...

We queued for a very long time with no one acknowledging that we were waiting. Once seated the service was incredibly slow. However the waitress was nice and polite (I think they don’t have enough staff on to provide a better customer service experience). We...

I have to admit being baffled by some middling reviews on this page as we had a lovely stop at the Essex Rose in Dedham. Tea and scones were both excellent and the fabulous range of Wilkins' preserves and products on sale at very good...

Worst afternoon tea ever! We decided to have the Prosecco as it was my friend’s big birthday but when it came it was warm. The water was also warm. We mentioned it to the waiter who told us they hadn’t got any cold because they...

We are local and will not be returning. Sadly the service was slow, the food was very mediocre and I had to queue to pay the bill as there was only 1 card reader. This did all seam to be more about lack of organisation...

We went into The Essex Rose tea room in Dedham this afternoon, and had one of the best afternoon teas we have ever had! We had our own choice of sandwiches, complete with grain mustard and Tiptree spicy gooseberry chutney, daintily cut with a side...

We enjoyed a lovely afternoon cup of tea with cake in this delightful tea room. A favourite of ours and it has all the COVID precautions in place. Lots of choice of light lunches, sandwiches and cake.

Stopped here for lunch after visiting the Munnings Museum. Sandwiches and cakes were not bad, but not excellent. Sort of what you can do at home. The service was not up to much - empty plates left in front of us for ages while they...

Went as it had the tip tree name and looked forward to it - it is a nice building but the staff are abrupt at best, cake limited and borderline stale. Sweet shop is a few jars in a sunny window. Nobody welcomes you even...

We visited the tea rooms this morning, 23rd June as a group of 4 friends visiting Dedham. We were shown to our table, hoping for morning coffee and scones. We were each given a menu, our details were taken, then 20 minutes later we were...

We visited The Essex Rose on the way home for mini break in Bury St Edmunds and we were on our way to Manningtree to see family. We popped in here hoping to get a bite to eat and I am so glad we did....

Arrived in Dedham, beautiful area. First tea rooms we came across. I’m 8 months pregnant and had my five year older niece with me. Asked a member of staff to use the toilet. Was told no. I had explained that we had just arrived and...

Late afternoon arrived for a quick hot drink and a slice of cake after a long walk Speedy service with a smile Really delicious cakes, coconut and cherry & chocolate and caramel Moist and big portions

Having just completed the Stour Valley Path with 13 days walking 'loops' totally 139 miles and all nearby pubs closed we celebrated with tea and cake! Fortunately it was excellent, lovely staff very welcoming, great cake and a wonderful spot. Will return with more time...

We have visited this tea room regularly for more than 35 years when we have been in the area or as a coffee stop off the A12. We were last here a few weeks ago in September. Several tables have been taken away to comply...

Had a lovely experience in this quaint tearoom whilst walking near Flatford Mill. Lovely service, friendly efficient staff and the food was delicious. The coffee cake was lovely and the sandwiches, crisps and salad very tasty

The food is excellent and the staff are really friendly but the place has been stripped to be COVID compliant and it feels like it has lost its heart and soul along with its furniture. We all appreciate the need to implement these regulations but...

A lovely place to have afternoon tea. Very accommodating and helpful, nothing felt like too much trouble.

Conforming to the restrictions on social distancing due Covid.19, my husband and I started our day with a lovely walk from Flatford to Dedham and was surprised to find this lovely tea room open to offer takeaway snacks and hot drinks. We shared our thanks...

Visited with our “four legged friend” and we were made very welcome. Good to find a place which welcomes “well behaved people, accompanied by there dogs”. We were welcomed by friendly member of staff and shown to our table. Choice of food on the menu...

It has been a few years since we visited the Essex Rose, but whilst in Dedham this week decided to visit the tea rooms for a couple of pots of tea and a slice of cake and gateaux.. The service is very good and attentive...

First of all - No this is not as good as it used to be but let's concentrate on the present. Located on a busy corner of Dedham the Essex Rose is an inviting little cafe run by Wilkin & Sons AKA Tiptree Jams and...

Overall, not a good experience. The portion size was pathetic regarding the smoked salmon sandwich. Very little salmon in the sandwich, about 5 crisps on the plate and a very few leaves. For the money we paid for it, it was poor... Furthermore, the service...

The four of us, plus two well-behaved dogs, had a really enjoyable lunch here. The food was plentiful on the plate and freshly made. We also had cakes and the slices were a good size... better than some of the slivers you get at some...

We enjoyed our lunch in this tea room today and were glad we were able to take in our dogs. One of the ladies who served us even got some small biscuits for our dogs. The menu is great for breakfast and lunch, or simply...

I agree with other comments made, not as good as it used to be. Food standards appear to have changed. I had the smoked salmon and prawn salad today (11/01/20) and the quantity of salmon provided was much less than previously and the salad did...

My birthday lunch was great. My son had the afternoon tea we had a lunch.The service was excellent, the food really good. We have been here many times over the last few years and have always had great service. I would always advise booking during a busy time, but I will certainly come again.

This cafe used to be one of our (myself and family) favourite places to visit for drink and lunch. However, after our visit today we will no longer be visiting as often. I am not sure if they have chnaged hands, or have just changed all their staff. Either way, the service is slow even thoguh the staff seem to be standing and chatting a lot of the time. We waited over 20 minutes just for some sandwiches. Such a shame as used to be really lovely! Defo recommend putting some dressing on their salad and staff need to make a bit more of an effort.

Popped in for cake and coffee , we waited to be seated for about 5 minutes after staff had stopped chatting to each other , we were shown to our table and the waitress did not explain anything too us . We waited around 10 minutes before our order was taken and had to ask for a cake menu which was not offered. I found the staff very uninterested and were just stood around chatting to each other . We had to ask where to pay and again the cashier was not very welcoming. Overall very disappointing visit will not rush back .

Had afternoon tea £30 for two, 4 little corner sandwiches each,shared two fruit scones with jam and cream. Also 4 minuture cakes. Came away a little disappointed to say the least.

We had a very nice lunch. The tea room was busy but a table was found for us very quickly. The lunch menu is comprehensive with some interesting inclusions. There was a very good range of bottled fruit juice, I had apple and blackberry. We decided to share a Mixed Ploughman's Lunch - bread, two kinds of cheese, turkey, ham, pickled onions, salad greens and relish. It was excellent, everything was fresh and of high quality and the serving was so big it took two of us to do justice to it. The range of cakes was very good and the portions were generous. We finished our meal with a slice of cake and a pot of tea. The service was very good. There is also an excellent range of Tiptree jams and preserves at a reasonable price. A most enjoyable experience.

Muddy salad, waiters on their phones ignoring customers, waiters don’t say much, they left a dish on the table, not amazing

We could not fault the staff or the food. One of us has an intolerance to cream and butter, and this afternoon-tea was a gift that we had put off from booking because of the intolerance. However, as the voucher was nearly two years old, we decided to go, and from the moment of booking the date, to the end of our visit, the attention paid to this intolerance was second to none. Well done everyone involved, including Manuel at Tiptree head office, who was also extremely helpful.

Whilst in Dedham we were recommended to visit the Essex Rose and what for us a disappointment. Inside we stood and stood by the 'Wait Here' sign, whilst others came in behind us, until we were eventually spotted one of the staff from a long way off. Although we were the first to be seated we were about last to have our order taken and whilst we waited for tea customers standing by the till were waiting for someone to appear to pay their bills too; this also happened to me later on. Before leaving my wife used the toilet and could not find anyway of drying her hands so used toilet the paper instead.

One of several English Tea Rooms in the Tiptree chain centred on the Essex jam and preserve producer. We enjoyed a very good cream tea with a good helping of jam and cream on a lovely fruit scone - not sure if these were 'home baked' but they tasted as if they could have been.

It seems that the penny pinching manager has struck at the Essex Rose, whilst the tea and scones were lovely they now only serve enough cream to put a waffer thin coating for the two scones. Such a shame because this changes what was a great cream tea to one I personally would not go back for another. I have had many cream teas at Tiptree jams tea rooms but if this is what they are going to serve I shall go elsewhere

Ordered toasted sandwiches which were fine!.but there was no organisation inside!.one minute the older waitress was nice and friendly the next being snappy and rude,ordered a piece of cake,waited forever for it just decided to walk out without in the end,the younger members of staff needed some guidance as nobody seemed to know what they were doing.

Having regularly been here before, this latest visit today was very disappointing. We decided to have a sandwich each, sparking water and Fentiman’s lemonade. The bread was rather stale and filling was very skimpy. No Fentiman’s drinks were in stock. Even though the lemonade was out of stock we were still charged for it. Did inform the young waitress on the till of our findings.

Used to go to this tea room a lot, years ago and had fond memories but a recent visit was not so good. It’s been taken over by Wilkin & Sons and has become rather soulless, staffed by very young girls, without supervision. Coffee extremely average. Chocolate Praline cake was just very dry chocolate fudge cake and cream tea disappointing with scones again very dry. Beautiful building but could be so much better.

Really loved our little lunch at this quirky village tea room. Service was very friendly and efficient , food was fresh and plenty of it presented nicely too . Couldn’t recommend enough

Stopped off for lunch on a busy summers weekend. Staff were friendly and service was quick. Delicious ploughman’s lunch, a little on the expensive side, but typical of a Tiptree tearoom.

We trip to pop here every 3 months or so as a family. We (the adults) tend to have the afternoon tea and my daughter has a sandwich or potato and then joins us for the cake courses. The food is always good and the jams / spreads are Tiptree so are off course tasty. It’s a nice way to spend an hour or two before heading off to feed the ducks or row the boats.

We had an after wedding lunch at this lovely venue.The venue it self is a very charming tea room on the corner of the High street,right opposite the church.You can park outside the church,but this is restricted to 2 hours,but if you drive down the road next door to the tearoom,you can park as long as you like for a fee.The food here was very nice,especially the ploughmans lunch.The menu had a few choices for lunches,from jacket potaoes to sandwiches.The selection of cakes is very good.There was cakes for everyone,including gluton free.I recommend the cream tea,which comes with a pot of tea and 2 fruit scones,clotted cream and local produced jam.The scones were very light and tasty.Most of the produce used here was locally sourced.It is a little pricey,but a very good place to go.

We had good food: selection of sandwiches, quiche and some salads. crumble was not the best we ever eaten but the cheesecake was very nice.

Dedham is absolutely beautiful, and no visit would be complete without a stop at the Essex Rose.

Our waitress was so thorough that I began to worry she was overcompensating for not really knowing what she was doing. We ordered hot drinks and cream scones, and didn't have to wait too long for the drinks. However, we then had to wait ages for the scones, by which time we'd nearly drunk our tea - two of our party enquired with the waitresses about how long the scones would be as we thought we'd been forgotten. However, they were GOOD scones once they arrived - still slightly warm, so soft and crumbly. Yum.

We decided to have some tea at The Essex Rose Tea Room on Sunday after a walk to Flatford. Lovely old fashioned tea room. Friendly staff who greeted and seated us. We didn’t have to wait long to be served. Lovely pot of tea with freshly made scones with jam & cream. The cafe was very quaint & clean. The scones were delicious. It was quite a busy cafe but there were plenty of staff so it seemed to run smoothly.

Arrived at midday to find tea room less than half full and were turned away since there was no space for us even though tables were reserved for 1.5 hours later. Their loss.

Table for 4 great lunch and very friendly staff who are very helpful and obliging , will certainly visit again