Tymperleys in Colchester

What a lovely discovery among the chain cafés. So nice to eat lunch in a Tudor room. And the most delicious quiche that I've tasted in a long time.

Can not fault this restaurant at all. Top quality ingredients, spotlessly clean and charming surroundings. It isn’t cheap but you get what you pay for. Well done on a quality business.

We enjoyed a delicious lunch in this old building. Highly recommend it.

We come here frequently and always have a great experience. The service is great and the food and coffee is consistently high quality. My daughter (4) especially loves visiting and always looks forward to seeing Michelle and Holly – they’re brilliant with her. Highly recommend!

Female manager was so rude to us before we had even been seated. Everything seemed too much effort for her. We ended up leaving before the menus came. There does seem to be quite a few reports of her unacceptable behaviour........

I've been there with my friends told them it's a nice place as it's not my first time but today they decided to take the payment before the food came with the excuse that the food can't go to kitchen until it's paid. Checking to see the other customers that came in to realise that no other customer been charged before only after they finished. I wasn't happy and also made us feel not welcomed. Will never go again despite its a nice place.

Gorgeous place for afternoon tea. Wonderfully accommodating for all of us with our babies and prams. Amazing food, the cakes and scones were so yummy. Lovely service and they catered well for a member of our party with allergies. Thank you!

Went to Timperley for lunch. The food was minimal for the price. The ingredients are cheap and the prices expensive. Coffee was cold. Been here before and it was good. Disappointed so won't return.

I normally really like Tymperlys but the last few times I’ve gone there, it’s not been great. The food I had today was really cold/tasteless and it was £10 for eggs Benedict so not cheap. Only 1 rasher of bacon and it was really Luke warm. Ordered 2 coffees and both of them weren’t hot so by the time you started the coffee, it was too cold to really enjoy. It’s quite expensive there so you’d expect it to be good but it’s just not anymore. I paid £17 for breakfast and it wasn’t nice.

Nice place to have a cup of tea or coffee, variety of cakes

I've been to Tymperleys several times, and the food is always great, and at very reasonable prices, but today I think I had the best piece of quiche I've ever eaten - bacon, stilton and brocolli - with perfectly boiled, buttered potatoes and a beautifully dressed green salad. My wife had a lovely piece of grilled sea-bass with a wonderful selection of green vegetables, again, cooked to perfection. The staff were lovely, as always, and the wine excellent and also very reasonably priced. All in all, the perfect lunch to make our last minute Christmas shopping an enjoyable day out.

Rude manager who seems to scare the other staff. Food was average- nothing special for the pricing. Wouldn’t dare complain to the woman… wanted to keep my peace for the day. Would not recommend. I am not posting this for the manager to reply with her poor attempt at a professional, grammatically correct response that I have seen on other posts. I am purely posting as advice- I’d avoid.

Stunned building, food not so great Smoked haddock kedgeree dry with crunchy rice. Butternut squash risotto was just boiled rice with a few bits of butternut.

Outstanding service and atmosphere. The food was at best passable. The building is a beautifuly preserved listed building with some questionable modern annexe that makes a rather brutal contrast with a half timber building. One would have to wonder how the developer managed to get planning permission for such a crude and no doubt expensive extension!

very lovely place enjoyed the food, the server jayden was brilliant and really made the experience.

I attended a wedding here this month and wanted to praise the staff especially Michelle and the head waiter who did a fabulous job. I know weddings can be very busy & stressful but they remained calm, in control & attentive. The food was great and service was friendly efficient. Five stars!

Very tasty and generous servings of cake

On a rare free day from work, I always pop into Tymperleys for either a sandwich, scone or if with local guests, an excellent lunch. (Quiche,pies) Always wonderful service and obliging wait staff. Menu is seasonal, the homemade cakes are quite delicious. My London colleagues always come up in December for a Christmas lunch... The building is beautiful and such a gem in Colchester!

A go to place for a nice cup of tea With a lovely ambience, the garden is delightful a nice break while shopping, Very helpful ladies.

Lovely food but the lady at front of the house is very moody and a complete put off. Rude and clearly doesn't want my money.

Lovely food but the lady at front of the house is very moody and a complete put off. Rude and clearly doesn't want my money.

Went for lunch with my wife sat outdoors i had the fish of the day which was grilled skate,thick chips and homemade tartare sauce which was delicious my wife had chicken ceaser panini with baby gem lettuce followed by blueberry cake. So many good things on the menu we will definitely be going back.

Went for lunch with my wife sat outdoors i had the fish of the day which was grilled skate,thick chips and homemade tartare sauce which was delicious my wife had chicken ceaser panini with baby gem lettuce followed by blueberry cake. So many good things on the menu we will definitely be going back.

Had a very nice breakfast here. Good food. Attentive staff.

Had a booking for 7 people on Saturday ,when we got there the gate was shut and there appeared to be a wedding . The waiter looked at us angrily and waved to us to leave !! There were two people pouring some prosceco and neither came and told us what was going on. This behaviour is so rude and so unprofessional !!

Great food and drinks, friendly efficient staff, ambience, reasonable cost

A hidden gem, at least you have to look out for the entrance. A haven within the hustle and bustle of Colchester and a great place to get away from the crowds. The service was excellent. We ordered the slow roast leg of lamb with new potatoes and a side salad.

We found this place by accident and were very pleased, we had a lovely lunch outside by the beautiful rose garden admiring the building.

Recently got married at Tymperleys, what an amazing place to hire for the day. Great surroundings, food and drink selection was fantastic, and the staff were great, (there was even great weather thrown in as a bonus! 😄). You will hardly believe you are in the centre of Colchester - an oasis of tranquility.

Just passing- didn't feel it was very friendly, just had a coffee.

Decent food, but it's more for the venue you go here. It's a lovely historic house and the interior has been preserved thoughtly so that customers may enjoy lunch surrounded in historical artifacts and architecture.

Perfect location in Colchester City for lunch. Food was so delicious and the service was excellent

Me and two of my friends decided to have a cuppa and a catch up here today ,We all ordered our Hot drinks and told the waitress the we'll order our eats after out drinks ,Their was a few tables with customers there ,We waited ages for our drinks to come out ,In the end my friend had to mention it to the other waitress,So she went off and checked our ordered,Then our waitress finally came with our hot drinks order,There was no apology of how long we had waited either,We all had scones which were delicious,It's a shame the waitress spoilt our day 😬😬😬😬😬

Amazing food, great service from staff. What an amazing venue. Have been here 3 times now and will definitely come back.

Popped in for a quick breakfast and a coffee. Service was quick and food was good. It's an iconic building in the heart of Colchester - well worth visiting and supporting.

Staff were so polite and friendly. Beautiful building and lovely garden.

Beautiful venue for elegant functions. Afternoon tea service was delicious. Thank you for hosting well 👌

Food lovely. Service OK. Bullying behaviour during my time working there, though. I believe in being kind and giving advice, not negative digs on every single thing, and sucking the energy out of people. Also not very professional to talk down about customers when they are in the next room.

Beautiful 😍 restaurant in the heart of Colchester City.beautiful building with an elegant garden. Scrumptious food and First class service.

Popped into have a breakfast with the Wife and thought I’d share this little gem. Great service and food and a lovely surroundings. The sausages were fab albeit the breakfast for some was maybe a little expensive but in this case you pay for what you get.

Lovely afternoon tea for mothers day

I have had the absolute pleasure of photographing a beautiful intimate wedding at the very picturesque Tymperleys. With its stunning views and garden setting, Tymperleys is the perfect place to hold the celebration of a lifetime. Couples can make the most of the surroundings, while their guests can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and plenty of space to mingle. As a venue, Tymperleys is completely accommodating, offering fabulous food... A clean and timeless ceremony space and a beautiful garden to celebrate with champagne in. From a photography perspective - it does not get more beautiful than this. Including, the romantic house to its perfect location in the historic town of Colchester – Tymperleys, offers so many photo opportunities to truly make your day unique!!! I have had the pleasure of photographing a wedding here, and I am very impressed by how beautiful the venue is and how well it is managed. Whether you are looking for a traditional or modern wedding, Tymperleys is the ideal choice. Sam Rundle Photography

A good location for breakfast and brunch in Colchester

Excellent kedgeree, perfect poached eggs, perfect chips. So many chefs seem unable to cook the last 2???

Yum! Book 24 hrs for afternoon tea, or the lunch menu looks great. I had creamy tarragon mushrooms on sourdough and it was great - not too rich, great mushroom mix.

All good. Champagne afternoon tea. Voucher Christmas present.

The place is great, but the food is basic doesn't match the place, tasteless , I'm not going again

Had a really surreal experience when we ordered welsh rarebit here today. The dish that arrived really had no cheese in it. It was.light brown smooth and the consistency of puree. It was spread on the sourdough in athin layer.Fair dos we werent charged for it when we complained and it was swapped for cheese scones which were lovely but nobody acknowledged this really wasnt welsh rarebit or went to the kitchen to find out what it actually was. Or what it contained .I am gutted I didnt take a picture but would be grateful if Tymperleys could take a picture of their Welsh Rarebit and post it here so I can confirm whether I am going mad and it was their version of Welsh Rarebit or we were served something bizarre.

Très bonne expérience, au chaud pour prendre le thé. Il faut bien aller au fond de la ruelle pour trouver le bâtiment historique qui abrite ce salon de thé. Les scones nature et au fromage sont excellents ! La disposition des tables est un peu spéciale mais on s'y fait.

推荐烟熏三文鱼配土豆 超级好吃 不过要是 只点主菜的话会有一点点吃不饱 环境特别特别好在一个小花园里 室内也很有格调

A very nice place to meet and eat, tucked way, but easy to find. Staff are really friendly and helpful. A very clean restaurant, we had not booked but would be wise to do so.

From yesterday. .jacket potato and cheese, coleslaw a little salad is a very delicious and a lovely the Tea

Always love coming to Tymperleys - a warm welcome and good food always awaits which makes it my first "go to" when shopping in Colchester 🥰

I Booked afternooon tea for myself and pregnant Daughter as a treat before baby is due. The food was lovely but was so let down by the service after the delivery of a pot of tea which you can have more with afternoon tea and the food arrived the staff never once came to ask if anything was ok with our food or drinks and we kept waiting to order some more tea in the end i had to get up and go and ask for some more hot water and a pot of tea the ladys were standing at the front entrance chatting i do not have a problem with that as long as your customers are taken care of, the lady said ok will bring it she brought the hot water but no tea i could not be borthered to ask again as felt they didnt want to give you a top up on tea which at £25 each not a lot to ask for so in the end we finished our food and left which was not the experience i was hoping for for my Daughter.

Nice looking place and lovely food well cooked. Just a shame about the waiting staff, couldn't take simple order made mistake with order wouldn't adapt cream tea swap tea for a coffee which would make no difference. waiting staff also didn't have nice attitude either extremely false. disappointing

We love coming to Colchester for Tymperleys. It's always such lovely food. If you're visiting on a sunny day, the outdoor seating area is an excellent little sun trap with a pretty garden close-by. The menu consists of the usual favourites; sandwiches, jacket potatoes, salads, etc, but there is always something a little extra on the specials board worth trying! I had the pan-fried seabream with sautéed potatoes and Tenderstem brocoli. It was incredible! I highly recommend this place for a stop during your visit to Colchester, even if it's just for a coffee and some of their delicious cakes.

Held our wedding at Tymperleys in July 2023. Truly amazing venue. Michelle and all the staff were fantastic. The food was petfect canapés and a grazing table.would highly recommend. Thank you to all at Tymperleys for making our day so special.

Went for a quick lunch whilst in town and found this gem! Great food, impressive surroundings and the warmest of service! Can’t wait to go back

Food was nice and the restaurant itself is full of character, however the staff really let it down. Very unfriendly staff, they get the job done but they act like it's imposition you being there. We won't be visiting again.

Had a lovely lunch food was amazing and staff were really friendly as I’m quiet fussy and like my drinks a certain way,nothing was to much even thou they were busy and it was a very hot day defo recommend and will be bk soon

We visited over the weekend, what a wonderful experience! Food and service was impeccable. Would highly recommend we will definitely be returning.

I visited a few years ago and loved it so popped back on a hot sunny Saturday. Although it was very busy and we had to wait for a short time for a table in the courtyard which are always full it was worth the wait . You could clearly see it was busy but nothing was too much trouble for the staff and we were always greeted with a smile . I opted for the steak and feta salad it was to die for washed down with an ice cold appalls cider . My wife had the cauliflower salad and said it was the best salad she has ever had . We asked for various drinks and sauces and they always arrived promptly. We will definitely visit again soon , such a lovely place in the middle of Colchester City Centre.

Myself and my husband don’t get much time off together , but when we head in to town Tymperley’s is our go to place . The staff are always friendly and know us by name which is a nice touch . My husband can be quite a fussy eater but nothing is too much trouble and they always cater for his needs . The place is always busy but the staff always greet us with a smile . The food is always quite quick to arrive and is delicious , even on busy days .

We got married here in July 2023 and it was absolutely amazing! Everything from the venue, its wonderful rose garden, the food and the staff who are very professional, friendly and helpful. Nothing was too much trouble. Michelle is an excellent and experienced woman - great communicator; she listened to what we wanted and took the stress that comes with planning a wedding away. Michelle made me feel totally feel at ease at all times and was very quick at responding to any emails/requests. Tadd's menu creation and food totally top quality. Prices and potion sizes excellent value for money. Kevin super friendly and efficient like the rest of the team. Excellence customer services, planning and supportive throughout. We could have not asked for a better place for our special day. We would highly recommend this oasis of charm for any occasion from breakfasts, lunches, specials occasion and 100% weddings. Thank you to the very talented and caring Tymperleys team. We salute you and will certainly be coming back soon!

Sadly didn't meet expectations and won't be back. Cafe21 with a cute courtyard and Timbers are just opposite and the delightful Small Talk Cafe just around corner offer much better service and hot drinks at excellent prices. Walked into their garden. Waitress sat us near kitchen which could've been a pleasant 30minute coffee stop. Turned out we were there 10 minutes. 2 x lattes arrived luke warm. Even the sugar cube wouldn't dissolve in the tepid liquid. Drank in one gulp. No waitress for over 5 minutes so got up to pay at till. No smiles just £7.20 please. I mentioned we were disappointed they were cold. Got a mumbled sorry without turning to look at us.

Sadly we won't be back. Was looking gor a coffee break for 30 minutes and ended up dissatisfied with a 10 minute pitt stop. Staff need training or told to smile! Not sympathetic to being told our coffees were Luke warm (even the sugar cube couldn't dissolve) a mumbled sorry without even dancing us and "thats £7.20 " ummmm please?

There are some good places to eat in Colchester but this was really special. it is in the garden of an old Tudor house right in the city centre, and has a rose garden, lawns, etc. And the food although simple is really good and home made. On a sunny day it is just perfect. The teas looked nice too, we did order a scone with lunch and it was excellent.

Please train your staff to smile, be friendly and make customers feel welcome. We couldn't believe how moody and rude the staff came across today. Shall not be returning.

Just visiting Colchester, we were looking for a place to have a quick coffee…. and here we are…. an hour later absolutely happy with our light lunch ( we even didn’t plan to have one). Simple lunch bites, good quality, lovely presentation and friendly service ! We were very pleased. Definitely have to point out beautiful setting and great weather. All added up: 5 stars from us, will definitely come back!

My husband and I got married here on the 20th May 2022! Time has gone so quickly since, however we remember the day as fondly as if it were yesterday! We had the most amazing wedding which Michelle, Kevin, Tad and the rest of the team worked so hard to give us! From start to finish I felt so at ease! From our first meeting with Michelle to look around Tymperleys, we knew it was the venue we wanted for our special day. The location is great and the building is stunning! Michelle was so good at keeping me at ease and really helped take the stress out of planning something so important to me and my now husband. She was always thinking about what was best for us and our guests and the team were so supportive of our requests, leading up to and also on the day. We had a wonderful afternoon and evening, everything flowed well and the food and drink was fantastic. The price for the venue and level of service we received was outstanding. We had a lot of rain on the day and I really wanted to get married outside by the walled garden, so to have my late nan who had mobility issues witness the wedding! As soon as the rain stopped and the sun shone, Michelle and the team got it all set up to be an outside ceremony on record time! Later we even got a rainbow! To finish, I would just like to say to the whole Tymperleys team, thank you so much for giving us a day to treasure for the rest of our lives.

A haven of excellent friendly service, tranquility, fabulous scones. We felt Like We had walked through a porthole from a bustling hostile city centre to peace, quiet and sophistication. Wonderful.

1st visit to Tymperleys, we both had the English breakfast. All very nice with proper loose leaf tea. It's a shame you have to give 24hours notice for the afternoon tea. All very nice, will be back to try out more of the menu

What can I say. I luckily stumbled across Tumperley’s again having been to the clock museum with the kids and yuk ex presumably before 2011. Well someone knows exactly what they are doing almost perfection on a plate. My only criticism would be that your...

This historic building offers a stunning background for meals both inside and out in the beautiful garden. Sadly the rather limited menu has often already had various items unavailable when I have tried to order. Whilst some foods are very tasty and imaginative, others can...

Bigger portions and a small for customers please, it’s a beautiful little place I ordered a jacket potato and it was tiny with a handful of cheese plus a few bits of bacon. Stingy sizes. However it was spotlessly clean and in a beautiful setting....

Wandered upon this by chance and very glad that we did as the setting was lovely on a crisp autumn morning. Staff were friendly and the menu was varied with all 4 of us very happy with our choices. Well worth popping in here I...

Had a wonderful lunch experience earlier in the year. Revisited this week full of expectation and all 3 of us were disappointed. Menu had changed and not quite so good. Service ok but lacking enthusiam atmosphere fairly bland. It wasn't bad but just not what...

This cafe is in a lovely spot and is a real oasis in central colchester. The food and drinks are good and it’s a nice spot for a glass of wine on a sunny day. The staff are all quite young and the service could...

Very nice setting .we sat outsde.service was good .but 3 pound for a diet coke stupid price..over 7 pound for jacket potato. So as nice as it was wont be going back again.

We visited on a busy Saturday afternoon all the tables were full in the garden , so we were seated inside . We did ask our waitress if anything came available outside we would like to move . We only waited a short time and...

Visited for breakfast.... started with cold coffee (then overheard the waitress saying the wind probably made it cold!) Bacon sandwich with dry bread (watched the chef fumble through the bread to find something fresh) and greasy bacon, with small bits of sausage! Sausage sandwich inedible,...

Visited today and were very lucky to get the last seat outside. It really is a wonderful place to sit in the sun and glance at the beautiful building. Staff were pleasant whilst being very busy on this Jubilee Bank Holiday. I had a delicious...

Arrived at 3.30, were presented with menus and asked to take a seat, quite a few customers in but staff not busy as everyone had already been served. We took a seat outside in the sun and waited, and waited, and waited whilst we watched...

We fhought it seemed a bit empty until realising most people were in the sunny courtyard. Food was vey pleasant and the service was very polite. A most relaxed meeting spot.

Lovely staff and delicious food! I’ve been for afternoon tea and lunch and thoroughly enjoyed both. They even do children’s afternoon tea now which went down a treat!

Booked for Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea with a Prosecco (£27.50 each). We sat outside admiring the grounds whilst they got our inside table ready (we got a choice of inside or outside). When sat, they explained the inclusion of unlimited teas (many to choose from)...

Nice place with friendly staff. Had afternoon tea here and it was lovely. Would definitely recommend.

I had ad a lovely afternoon tea here with my partner, lovely staff and amazing food. Would definitely recommend it and will be returning!

Went for lunch at tymperleys the other day, warm and friendly welcome by the staff. Food was tasty. Beautiful building. Looking forward to visiting again

Absolute joke of a place.£13 quid for a greasy fry up,£9 quid for a cheapskate sarnie.Overpriced drinks.Seriously!Someone's having a laugh. Ripping off customers obviously taking advantage of their location & relying on the local tourists who are unfortunate to visit this place. It's rip-off establishments...

Stunning building - terrible service - frosty welcome - ordered 3 afternoon teas £27 each other drinks extra - 35 minutes to arrive but got charged for 5 afternoon teas even though we had 2 children with us and 3 take away bags had to...

I pre order 3 prosecco afternoon teas for mother's day, because 3 adults and 2 children would SHARE the adults' ones, and i said i would buy the children drinks separately and paid £50 deposit because five of us were attending. On the day it...

Beautiful building, friendly staff and choice of afternoon tea for vegans and meet eaters!

Quaint, traditional table service restaurant, great for breakfast, brunch or tea...and probably more. Helpful, unobtrusive staff. Not expensive either. Close to town centre. Well worth a regular visit I'd say after only my first.

Fantastic location. So beautiful in the morning when the sun shines through the windows.. Good to put your headphones on and work. Staff are happy to let you stay as long as you'd like. Food is good, but nothing out of this world.

We booked an afternoon tea using a voucher given as a gift. The welcome wasn’t particularly warm in fact quite frosty. When the sandwiches etc arrived they were plonked down quite forcefully. The lady who served us was also the person who greeted us and...

The food was good, but it took a long time to get to the table. Around 40 -45 minutes

Lovely food, great service. Highly recommend.

First class restaurant, staff are very attentive. Definitely worth more than 5 stars

A very enjoyable meal, wonderful food and great service in very pleasant atmosphere will be recommending it.