The Old Kitchen Tearoom in East Hampshire

We went for one of the midweek roast events and what a disappointment it was. There was a very lukewarm welcome when we arrived and we were directed to the table with a point of the finger. The food was served quickly and just plonked in front of us. There was no asking what we’d pre-ordered so two of us got the wrong meals. This was rectified when we told them. It was hot but was very mediocre. I think my lamb died of old age. I couldn’t cut it, it was that tough. The potatoes were OK, the peas were peas that had once been frozen, carrots overcooked, the gravy was like water, the parsnips were OK and the saving grace was the cheese sauce on the cauliflower/brocolli. The Apple crumble was nice but again just plonked in front of us. The custard was lumpy. How much was all of this? It was a whopping £25 a head without so much as a jug of water on the table. It was daylight robbery. We wont be back.

This is a great little tearoom for light lunches and cakes. Delicious quiches served with good salads. Welcoming staff and relaxed atmosphere.....so good we stayed on for tea and lovely cakes! A hidden gem in the village.

Service was non existent! My elderly mother waited for her soup while we ate our dinners…they forgot all about her……we told them and eventually got it. We waited AGES while chatting after finishing our meal and one waitress elderly lady sat behind us the whole time doing nothing!!!! We wer gonna stay for scones and another coffee but as the service was so bad we decided to leave…upon leaving she charged us £45!!!! For soup 3 drinks (non alcoholic teas and coffees) and 2 bits of quiche…..charged us way too much and charged us wrong !!! Dia- bollocal

Chawton House is a favourite place of ours to visit and when we do we always enjoy the tea rooms in the old kitchen. They are very welcoming and the food is good. Would especially recommend the ploughmans, the scones and any salad they have on specials board. Our last visit was in January. We had tried to take my elderly mum to another place that was full up, it was pouring with rain, I called Chawton as we were about 30 mins away and I wanted to check they were open. They reserved us a table put a radiator close to it for mum and were so welcoming and friendly. Mum struggles with her memory but the waitress chatted to her about past times and joint memories of post war London and it really made her day. Thank you.

A break in the weather so we walked up to the house admiring the setting. On arrival, the door to the tea shop had a table in the way - see photograph. A waitress popped her head out the door and looked at me as if she wondered what we were doing there. 'Are you still serving....cake?' says I. 'Yes, take a seat' and she gestured to one of the courtyard tables. We took a table - the only customers (or so we thought). The waitress came to take our order - I was so looking forward to a slice of cake. Imagine my disappointment when the only offerings were shortbread, brownie or scones. So we plumped for a cream tea (no fruit scones available, only plain) and a brownie. Now it is a pretty courtyard...but not in the pouring rain. Being British, we sheltered under a parasol to enjoy our tea. Unfortunately, the scone was microwaved and they forgot the brownie, but served two cream teas?! When my jeans started to get wet, we decided not to hang around and so I went to settle up. On paying (at the doorway) I looked to the left and saw another couple sitting at a table INDOORS ...all warm and toasty, plus lots of empty tables. I asked the waitress why couldn't we have been seated indoors. Her reply 'They were reserved'. Really? We had been there 15 minutes and no one had arrived or left. It was 3.15 on a wet and windy Friday afternoon. I really felt as if we had been an inconvenience.

It was lovely to be able to sit in the courtyard after walking around the grounds. Friendly efficient staff. We both had a slice of cake and they were extremely generous portions and tasty. Very good value for money.

If you like the era of Jane Austen you need to visit the village of Chawton in Hampshire. In the village you will find the house where Jane Austen lived for a while but along the road is the rather impressive house belonging to her brother Edward. We walked up the path, past the church to the front door of the house. We only wanted the tea room so made our way to what used to be the house kitchen. We had a warm savoury cheese scone, cream cheese and pickle a pot of tea, all served on bone china. It was delicious. A variety of other food on the menu was available. There was also the inevitable home baked cakes. The whole place made me feel very festive and you do not have to go around the house. Entrance to the tea room is free.

Enjoyed a lovely cream tea with pretty china teacups and real clotted cream sitting in a peaceful paved courtyard within an English country house on a glorious late summer day. What could be better!

Hi all, personally the worst cream tea I have ever had. Upon arriving to the table we found a pre-poured jug of milk which had evidentially been sat on the table since opening and had black bits floating in it. Flies and wasps galore were swarming around the room like it was no tomorrow. The selection of cakes was poor and all had been consumed apart from the fruit cake, surely they should be replenished or a larger selection. Our scones were dry and crumbly and seemed to be stale. The clotted cream was yellowing. Tea was okay but then again not hard to get wrong, personally I would not return. Go to the pub opposite Jane Austen’s house.

My mum and I had lunch here before exploring Chawton House. The location is gorgeous, especially the courtyard where we sat. The food was simple but still very nice, although I think the menu could offer more options for both breakfast and lunch. The homemade cakes were lovely also!

Warning,, we just really wanted a coffee and a toasted teacake but arrived around 12 and were told they were doing lunches... so we had lunch! It was very nice but considerably more expensive than a coffee and a teacake! When people are on holiday they usually have had a substantial breakfast and smaller offerings should be available at any time! Although I can understand the kitchen wanting to maximise profits by limiting choice.

To be honest, everything went wrong from the very beginning : place yourself wherever you can, table full of the dishes from the previous clients, the waitress unable to provide any information on items from the menu, no glass to serve ourselves some water, no unifié : I had to go and grab from another table. But when our order came, it had nothing to do with what de expected. Nothing to discuss about, not a single word of apologize, we just paid for the tea which we didnt drink, no idea on what would be the taste of the fois, and we still wait to see the manager who didnt dare to come and provide any information. Sas,sas,sad

Tea room is independent of the house and gardens so free to access. Menu is mainly what I’d call “light lunch” i.e. baguette, salad, baked potato, cakes etc. Initially we were going to sit in the pretty courtyard but the numerous buzzies (bees!) forced us inside to what was the original main house kitchen area. It’s table service and although it can take a while if busy, staff are really friendly and once orders are taken your choice soon arrives (one bonus of a “short” menu). We enjoyed tea and scone/pastry (reasonably priced and tasty!) before continuing our visit to the walled garden.

Vriendelijk personeel. Ook glutenvrij gebak. Heel gezellig. Je kan ook op de binnenkoer bij mooi weer.

We only visited the tea room but plan to return to explore the house as it looked lovely. The Lemon Drizzle sponge was divine (generous serving and very moist). My friend thoroughly enjoyed the gluten-free Victoria sponge and said it was the best she could remember. The waitress was friendly and we will definitely return to sample more of the yummy food and enjoy the lovely surroundings.

Had lovely tea and tiffin in the very atmospheric tea room. Bone China and fresh flowers made it picture perfect. Great service from the knowledgeable staff. Very good value for money. Accessible for those with mobility challenges. Free to enter ie you do not need a ticket to the house (but house and gardens well worth visiting)

Enjoyed a lovely cream tea in this delightful kitchen following a visit to the house and gardens - although the tearoom is open to the public regardless of whether you’re visiting the house. Pretty tablecloths, nice china and waitress service made it feel more special.

This tea room is primarily to feed those visiting Chawton House, in which it is situated, though it is made very clear that you don't have to pay entrance to avail yourself of the kitchen. For that reason, and because of reliance on voluntary help, the menu is enough but not extensive. The strong point is the baking: wonderful cakes and especially - our choice for lunch - one of the day's Specials - a goat's cheese and spinach quiche. The flavours were different enough to make our palate say, What have we here? And the pastry was exquisite.

Really enjoyed my lunch in this a very relaxed, beautiful location. My Brie baguette was delicious and the gluten free chocolate brownie was one of the best I have tasted. The staff were very friendly and welcoming.

Lovely old kitchen serving teas and hot food. Cakes were delicious. Proper tea which needed time to brew. Lovely setting.

We stumbled across this tearoom during a family walk. It's part of Chawton House, but you can visit the tearoom independently.

How about a great cup of tea or coffee in a kitchen built in the sixteenth century and probably frequented by Jane Austen herself. Not only this but there are some delicious homemade cakes and a small range of savoury dishes such as soup or baked potatoes. Even if you're not visiting Chawton house you should take time to go to the tearoom. You enter through the main door of the Manor house and without paying any fee just ask for directions to the tearoom. Additional to the quality of the food and drink the prices are amazingly reasonable. Take time to seek this place out if you're anywhere near Chawton, you won't regret it.