The Pantry At Barleylands in Basildon

I played a game of bridge at the best bridge club in Essex, First Class Bridge Academy and wanted a quick sandwich before the game. Popped in here, basic cafe, nothing special, tbh looks like the factory pass from 'Dinner Ladies' I ordered an egg mayo sandwich and a diet coke £9 😯 yep, seriously £9, I actually queried the amount but I think the heat must have got to me because all I could come up with was 'blimey'. It was served with a dead lettuce and a slice of cucumber and what looked like leftover crisps, no napkin, no condiments and not on a silver platter, which was disappointing at that price ! Young mum's beware, bring your own picnic because the prices in this rip off joint will spoil an otherwise lovely day out.

My husband ordered egg and chips and two mugs of tea with a bill of 23.99p. It was listed as egg, ham and chips but as we don't eat meat we asked them to omit the ham. We also asked them to confirm that the eggs were free range. We were charged the same as with ham and when questioned the manager said we were given extra chips, although we didn't ask for them. Finally deducted 3 pounds. The tea was a very poor catering quality. Very disappointing. Our garden foxes enjoyed the surplus chips later!

This was a convenient place to have a coffee when we visited Barleylands. The staff were pleasant but the whole ambience lacked sparkle. It was very basic and had a feeling of a diner. The staff were very pleasant and eager to please, but basically it was a self service cafeteria. Coffee was good though. Plenty of space and tables were not close together. You could hold a conversation in peace. Unfortunately, many of the tables had been abandoned with crockery and cutlery and these were not cleared during our time there. The place was not busy. Disappointing really.

Stopped in for a late lunch after a morning at the farm. Sat outside and had to wait a while for the meals which meant that we finished our drinks and cake before they came. Kids enjoyed their meals (fish fingers and chips) and my cream tea was nice. Husband said his ham sandwich was average. Staff pleasant and hard working. Will return next time we’re at the farm

We've eaten in various Tiptree restaurants, and (nearly) always found them excellent. Based on this we booked for pre Christmas lunch. The lunch was excellent, well cooked, fresh ingredients, more than ample amounts of food. Friendly/helpful staff. Good value at £20 for 2 courses, including coffee.

The people serving are lovely but just recently the prices have shot up (£2 for a can of Pepsi max!). Outrageous.

Early morning start so had the treat of a breakfast in the tea room. Lovely staff and food was good too. Recommend you try the rarebit!

Although The Pantry has a cafeteria feel about it the food and staff make it worth a visit.My latest visit with the family was this week. It was the first time for awhile that I had anything beyond coffee and cakes there. I chose a very meaty sausage roll with hot beans and fresh cooked chips. My wife enjoyed a full and tasty panini with tuna mayo, whilst dad had a satisfying BLT - with chips and coleslaw. Mum relished her huge jacket potato with tuna mayo and salad. Staff are always very accommodating in relation to our goddaughter’s own unique choices. and on this occasion they provided hash-browns, beans and toast for her without any fuss.If she could write the only thing she would probably mention is the fact that the area designed for children could do with some new toys.Well worth a visit. If you don’t like the interior weather permitting you could always sit outside in one of the many tables and chair / bench sets available.

Having spent a lovely morning at the pottery barn we wanted a quick lunch so decided to go to The Pantry. Having stood in a queue for 15 minutes (no staff apart from lady on till) I was told there would be a 30 minute wait for food. We only wanted jacket potatoes which were ready and on the counter.It would have been beneficial to be told there was a long wait before reaching the till point.Left and went elsewhere. Shame.

Came in today for a cup of tea. Expected a pot of tea but only got a cup. Prefer the Tearooms at Tiptree, unlimited tea and coffee for the same price as we paid here

Popped in today as we had a meeting in barleylands.ordered 2 cups of coffee and a toasted tea cake.after 15 minutes waiting we had to get up and ask for our order as a takeaway. This was frowned upon by staff and eventually carried out.we did notice our order was 3 orders down the list even after 15mins wait.in the end we had to cancel the tea cake and left with 2 cups of coffee. Over all the staff were slow and offish.would not recommend

Christmas party food great entertainment magic disco very good. all in all brilliant night. well organised.

This is the 'poor' side of the Tiptoe tea rooms at Barleylands. In that it is self service and has a lot of the usual 'quick cafe foods - jacket potatoes, pasties, pies and baguettes.Service is cheerful and fine. For in our view is average for this type of place.No real complaints - but nothing particularly special which we had sort of hoped for given the company running it.

We visited Tiptree tea rooms at Barleylands with friends. We had not visited here before but have been to 3 of Tiptrees other tea rooms. We chose to sit the self service side. It was messy, food on the floor, on the chairs etc, tables were not being cleaned. There was only 2 members of staff doing everything and one lady looked like she had her coat on while preparing our sandwiches behind the counter. SHe did put gloves on but her hair was all over her face and hanging down. Coffees come out of a machine, disorganised order taking, no spoons or cutlery, food not the usual Tiptree standard at all.

We have had a fabulous time!! Never been here before for Halloween but I sure will again!! We are planning to do the Christmas events too now. Thank you

Very welcome stop after Half Day Experience at Imperial Bird of Prey - really enjoyed Cream Tea!!!!!

My wife and I visited the tea rooms for her birthday lunch and ordered the afternoon tea. Lovely fresh sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, topped off with a tasty selection of cakes. Add on the endless supply of tea and you have the perfect lunch. The staff are all very friendly and helpful, making my wife's day when they came to the table carrying a small cake and singing 'Happy Birthday'. Terrific food, friendly efficient staff and pleasant surroundings. Perfect!

There are two parts to this place. I opted for self-service as I just wanted a cup of tea and a bite while the rain came down. The tea was fine and the scone very light along with Tiptree jam as you might expect. I am very familiar with the Wilkins brand and have got to say this part of the tea room didn't really come up to their usual standards. The staff were quite surly and took a while to serve me. Perhaps I should have gone for the table service section?

A child's lunch box is £5 for half a sandwich a tube of yoghurt crisps a drink and raisins, yes you get stickers, but no napkin to go with it, no choice of changing the crisps and its quite a lot of money.

After visiting the Barleylands Farm with our grandson we popped in today for lunch. It was appalling!! A kids lunch box with half a jam sandwich & a few cheap bits cost £5 - our lunches of bog standard egg & chips for me & sausage & chips for my husband plus 2 hot drinks was shockingly over priced & quite frankly unacceptable. This will be the first and last time we visit The Pantry - Tiptree Tearooms have nothing to boast about with this restaurant!

We visited on a quiet Monday morning. We ordered our breakfasts at the counter; a little later drinks, then food was brought to our table. The service was very pleasant. Two of us had the full breakfast, I had a breakfast baguette, one a toasted tea cake. All items were good quality and tasty. We were a little disappointed that tea was only available as a single serve mug, I would have preferred a pot for a bigger drink. Also for four of us, the table felt a little small, maybe we should have sat at separate tables. All in all, we liked it, and we will return.

A family day out and the food was as expected and we were served quickly and the food was as good as the service with friendly staff and we will cost again.

Popped in for a bite to eat for lunch, a small kids kids lunch box was £5 and contained half a sandwich that looked past it's best, some raisins, a drink, a tube yoghurt, and a drink!

I came here with my brother and we both had a delicious,hot sausage roll. There the best sausage rolls I've ever had. We also had some really nice mr whippy ice cream,that was cold and soft. There is a great selection of chocolate bars and crisps and it took me a long time to decide what I wanted. I will be coming again soon for sure!

We recently visited this establishment just before going into Barleylands Farm, the food was lovely I had a Sausage Sandwich. Price was reasonable not expensive. Staff were very polite and helpful.

When we visited, we were most impressed with the layout cleanliness and ambience The cottage pie was excellent and the scone (freshly baked) with jam and cream was yummy. I will be back soon

Nice to have snack after going round looking around great for kids meals after they have be running around to have a meal

Very Friendly staff, nice atmosphere, great service and moat importantly, great food and coffee! steve Lyons

This place is fabulous. It was an impromptu stop for a cuppa and what a delight it was.

Came in to buy jams for Christmas and was pleasantly surprised to find a huge variety of little pots. 3 for £1! Made great stocking fillers. Restaurant was full too and the food smelt lovely

Freshly made food and good selection for lunch as well as tea , cakes and jams. Friendly service and pleasant atmosphere. Dave R

Grandad duty included a visit to Barleylands Farm, great day out and we need to eat, the Pantry ticks every box

Visited the table service side. The food was lovely and very well presented. My husband had a turkey ploughman's and it was huge. I just had a toasted cheese sandwich but it canned with a nice salad and locally made crisps - very nice. And the lemon meringue tart was to die for!

Visited the Pantry today to finish of a lovely day with the family. So happy we did staff was so welcoming and friendly, food was great, little bit more expensive than some places but definitely worth it kids loved the food as well (which says something) will be recommending to everyone and can't wait to visit again

Visited the Tiptree Tea Room today with friends.3rd visit, each time the food was lovely. The atmosphere is very friendly, the staff very courteous,lovely place to visit. We will be going again.

really poor selection of very overpriced basic lunchtime snacks. Visited on a Saturday at 1ish thinking we could just get a snack before we went to the farm. Personally I'd say that's peak lunchtime but disappointing selection of sandwiches and cakes for a quick bite and wasn't going to pay £4.50 for a kids box with a few party sized sweets in it! Probably best to eat before you come

We arrived without prior booking with a group of 21 young adults with learning difficulties at a busy lunch time. We were given a warm welcome and even though the restaurant was busy staff went out of their way to help us. The menu offered plenty of choice and most of our 21 orders were different, this did not phase the kitchen and members of our group who were vegan, dairy, or lactose or gluten intolerant were all catered for. We did not have to wait long for our food, impressive considering the complexity of our order. The food was hot, the portions generous and, judging by the empty plates, delicious. The service was faultless and nothing was too much trouble. We will certainly return.

We have been coming here for several years but this was the first time since it was taken over by new owners and Tiptree jam.

We decided to take the little one to Barleylands farm over the August bank holiday and to make it a bit of an adventure we opted to camp the Sunday night at the farm so we chose to have breakfast at “The Pantry” on the Monday morning.

Visited twice last week. First on Monday. Ordered two salad specials,which came with either bread or new potatoes. Salads arrived with no potatoes. Went to counter to tell waitress. Then waited nearly 10 minutes for them to arrive. Salad was tasty and well presented. Ordered desserts, one arrived at the table and was eaten before the second one arrived. Although they tasted good. They should arrive together!! It wasn't busy at this time. Went again on saturday(hoping things were going to be as good as they were on our first visit in June) When we arrived there was only a couple of tables being used,so wasn't busy at that time. Again we ordered two salad specials. We asked waitress if it came with new potatoes and she said she didn't know!!. No offer to find out. We then asked if we could order two rolls on the side to be told that they only came with the plough mans. We asked if she could find out if we could order them,which we could.....£2.00 each for roll and butter ,I think it abit steep. By now more people were arriving,so the service got slower and slower. When salad arrived,it didn't come with the Mayo as stated,again had to go to counter to tell them. Someone came over to check that it wasn't on the plates....I know what Mayo looks like!!!!!. It was Saturday lunchtime and they were busy, They need more trained staff . Was in there two and a half hours for lunch. Such a shame it hasnt maintained the service we got on our first visit in June

Had lunch here whilst shopping at Barley lands. First visit since it changed to be run by Tiptree (real bonus to be able to now buy their jams here)

Stopped for a quick bite and just got a cheese and onion panini. Given the apparent association with Tiptree Jam, the simplicity of the sandwich and the cost of £5 I expected it to be half way decent. What I received was the absolute cheapest of ingredients. The panini was anaemic looking, poorly toasted, "filled" (barely) with tasteless, cheap mild cheese and a meagre sprinkling of red onion. No sign of a few crisps or salad to try to enhance thus sub-standard offering. I really wish I had taken a photo.

We visited for afternoon tea for a friends birthday. There were five of us and this made an interesting change from a pub lunch. The sandwiches were delicious though the lady who served us seemed confused about how to order what we wanted. I don't know if that was because there were five or it was a general thing.

After visiting this cafe at least once a week when the lovely Italian people owned it, I was dissapointed when we visited today, for the 1st time after being taken over. Overpriced, staff not very welcoming, basic menu, the list goes on!. The icing on the cake, has to be, when the 'waitress' brought over our lunch! We pointed out that one panini should of been bacon and cheese and not ham! To which she replied "good luck with that", then handed over the plates and walked away!. When I saw my 'lunch' I couldn't believe it!!! I sad looking panini and nothing else. No garnish, salad, crisps, nothing!!!! Normally I would t care, except this poor excuse of a panini, cost me £4.95. Our lunches (for 4 adults, 1 child and 2 toddlers) cost in excess of £40!!!!!. We left annoyed and hungry! Such a shame but we won't be returning!

A pleasant hour having tea and cream scone with my daughter. The cafe was clean and presentable and the tea and scone were delicious. There could have been a bit more attention to detail and some of the staff seemed to be a bit lost with what to do around the cafe, but this didn't detract from having a great time with my daughter.

We had visited Barleylands with our four year old granddaughter and decided to have something to eat between visiting the craft area and the farm area. We went into the Pantry and despite the long queue ordered our lunch. Husband and I had a lovely hot panini and Sophia chose a children's box lunch which included a ham sandwich, crisps, biscuits and some fruit with a drink. She was able to choose the items herself and we all had a very nice and relatively inexpensive lunch. Good place to eat if you are in the area, even if you are not visiting the farm because it is on the side of the site which you do not have to pay to enter! Recommended.

Brilliant place for all the family! 😊 Gated play area for kiddies down at the end, variety of hot & cold food & drinks available and, of course, delicious Tiptree Jams! What could be better?

We were visiting the "Ashes into Glass" glass foundry that is nearby and decided to visit the table service side of the Pantry for lunch. The dining room is clean, light and airy, and pleasantly decorated.

First visit was great......hot food looked lovely. Had a coffee and bacon sandwich which was good staff very friendly, was clean and bright

Pantry was a total mess, tables not cleared, trays and food on floor, coffee machine not working, then run out of baguettes and cold drinks. Absolute bedlam