Willow Tree Tea Room in South Derbyshire

We were visiting this lovely marina complex at the end of summer and the group split up, intending to reunite at the Willow Tree for a cuppa and cake after some shopping. The hot drinks, shortbread and views were all lovely. We'd have given the tearoom a five star rating on this basis. But the entire visit was spoilt by an older blonde-haired staff member. Understandably, there was a one-way system in place to support covid distancing, but we felt the lady in question spoke very aggressively at two of our group who inadvertently entered through an exit door. The family member who had led the way in through that wrong door was partially blind. We understand that it must be frustrating for staff to constantly advise customers about the one-way system in place in this restaurant. But frankly, their signage was not especially user friendly. And sadly there was zero empathy, consideration or any attempt at understanding why someone might have wandered in through a wrong door. Having been spoken to in this manner, we didn't think it was worth explaining. In the face of what we felt was unduly aggressive behaviour, we simply paid the bill and left. There are several other eating establishments at this lovely marina, and we will visit them instead next time.

Disappointing, not sure what’s happened. Been here many times since they opened and it’s just been the last couple of times that things have slipped. Went for an early brunch. Ordered poached eggs with mine - got fried ones. Sister got poached ones and they were well cooked - hard really. The coffee was probably the worst I have ever had, endorsed by my family. I think the coffee was just shown to the mug and quickly taken away - I had to leave it as the nearest comparison I have is dishwater.Sad really as have always enjoyed going there, but on to pastures new next time

Beautiful location, great value, brilliant service, dog friendly. The scenery is great, lots of water fowl & birds for keen photographers to photograph without the need to leave your seat (if you have a long lens fitted). Colourful boats, flower beds, friendly service, good food, - what more could you ask for.

Day two of our first mini break of 2021, in Willington, Derbyshire: our first visit long anticipated visit to Mercia Marina on an overcast, but warm early Saturday morning. We took the 25 minute walk from our accommodation to visit the marina and as we stepped into the public area we encountered this pleasant looking café. Breakfast seemed appropriate and so we entered observing the one ways system, and selected a table indoors. We could have sat outside on a pleasant patio area that sits about 3 metres above and 3 metres in front the lake shore.It wasn’t clear from the menu or signage what we needed to do to place our order, but we watched other diners go to the counter and place orders, which were then brought by waiting staff to tables.We each ordered the Boatman’s Breakfast from the very pleasant lady at the counter. The breakfast comprised of 2 slices of back bacon, a sausage, a fried egg, mushrooms and a slice of toast cut into 2 triangles and served with two butter pats. Individually packaged sauces were already provided on the table, and cutlery had to collected from the serving area. A pot of moderately strong and hot tea with a generous serving of milk was also included in the price which was £7.99 I recall. It did arrive quite quickly which signalled a problem for me.Most of the meal was OK, and it was hot (as was the plate): the sausage was good quality, but had been cooked some time before and then kept in a warm oven or hot cabinet. The sausage tasted very good, and was made from quality ingredients, but the ends were dried and hard. The mushrooms were OK but they had also been cooked for some time too, and kept in hot water, so they were a bit washed-out and had lost some of their flavour. The egg was obviously just cooked and the yolk was runny - that was good. The freshly made toast was also good (I had opted for white bread and my partner had wholemeal). Now for the bit that causes so much contention: the bacon (and particularly back bacon). Firstly I will state that the bacon served here was of good quality. For me bacon is a cured meat and should be only lightly grilled and immediately served, and it should be pink and not at all brown. I don’t eat the fat so I couldn’t care less whether it is crispy or otherwise. Back bacon should bend, not snap, it should have the texture of gammon and be able to chewed like you would chew a thin minute steak. It should not be like cardboard and sadly our bacon was … like cardboard, and it did snap when bent. Some people, of course, prefer overcooked back bacon, some people like my partner favour thoroughly cooked bacon with the consistency of wet cardboard, but still cuts with a knife and does not fracture. I like back bacon to be pliable like thick sliced ham would be. This bacon like the sausage was dried out, thus also concentrating the saltiness and completely changing the taste. Our breakfasts were all edible but some of the textures were not to my liking, others are entitled to their opinion and enjoy their breakfasts as they like them, but for me, all the meats served here were overcooked. I don’t know the answer other than cooking to order, and personally, I wouldn’t mind waiting for that to happen. That of course would not always be compatible with the demands on the kitchen, especially at busy times. It’s a difficult thing to manage, I agree, but all I can do is give my opinion. I am not, however, a restaurateur, so I can’t provide a solution that resolves the kitchen’s logistical issues.

First time visit to this marinside cafe, in a lovely location overlooking part of the marina. We sat outside, ordering a breakfast and a toasted tea cake with drinks. The tables outside were pretty close together, with other customers smoking around us, which wasn’t pleasant, for us at least.The breakfast wasn’t bad, and quite tasty, however the tea cake clearly wasn’t fresh, and wasn’t great.Pretty busy place, but shame the quality and smoking customers let the experience down for us. Not much more to say really.

Food was average, nothing special. It's a little café by the look of it, and had no sign whatsoever. Didn't indicate what café was I staying in.Ordered tea and a cake, which was good. Customer service was good and friendly staff members. However, the café was unhygienic unfortunately. Disposable masks were laying outside on the floor.If you want amazing good quality food and drinks, I don't really recommend this place, unless you just want to have a quick breakfast/lunch and quality doesn't matter to you, then give it a try.There were gent's and women toilet near by and unfortunately don't expect it to be hygienic. There are plenty of car parks next to the café but not sure if you must pay.

I have long enjoyed having breakfast at The Willow Tree, pre-Covid, and found the quality of products and service very good. However, due to dietary restrictions, I an now unable to eat dairy produce. As a consequence, when I visited The Willow Tree today, I opted for a Vegetarian Breakfast. This breakfast included 2 eggs which I was unable to consume. I therefore requested vegetarian sausage, but was told that they don't supply those. So instead I opted for smoked salmon, which they provide with other meals. I was told they could supply me with smoked salmon, but there would be an extra cost, which I fully understood. However, no credit would be made for the non supply of the eggs. I could alternatively have a larger portion of beans OR tomatoes OR mushrooms. I felt that such an inflexible attitude was inhospitable, but that if they could charge for an extra item (the smoked salmon), why could they not credit me for the non-supply of the eggs? In view of the additional cost, I decided to forego a breakfast, and had a pot of tea instead...............

Great reasonably priced food which arrives quickly from smiling waitress, but the lad taking the orders at the counter could do with a lesson in customer service.

Went for breakfast, the poached eggs were very hard and the toast was very burnt, I don’t know why the chef thought it was ok to send it out like this, toast was replaced but the rest of my meal was cold by then

Today will be the second time I have visited. And it will be the last. The first time, I was sat outside about a year ago, and the lady with the fringe asked me to stand up and she literally took the chair from under me when she knew me from working on the marina and I did say I'd put the chairs away myself. So we left half drank drinks. Today, I went in alone, just me and my dog, and yes they are allowed in, but I got to the front of the queue and someone had sat at the table I was planning on going on so I said 'oh I don't think we have a chair anymore' my next question was going to be 'can we sit outside' as there were no chairs put out, presumably because of the wind. But she didn't let me finish and went 'ok fine then, next'. I left in tears as I'm in quite a bad place at the moment and it's the second time she's spoken to me cruelly, it feels personal. I don't know whether it's because I'm a young girl and she thinks she can get away with it, or she doesn't like dogs, who knows, but I won't be going again and she needs to learn some manners. Please don't speak to anyone else like this as you never know what they are going through.

Absolutely love their eggs benedict for brunch and have been to five star hotels who don't do them as well and charge three times as much. Lovely place to meet for coffee and a chat. I

Visited on the first sunny Saturday in weeks. Not the only ones who wanted fresh air so it was busy. The service and food were very good. The sausage and egg butties were amazing. Must agree with previous posts however, the place is not comfortable. Bench seats against the wall are narrow and uncomfortable. Other seats are hard. This should be sorted, I feel, to encourage return visits.

Despite what others have said:1)The plates were warm when food was delivered2) The staff were pleasant, polite and smiling3) Waiting time was minimal4) The food was well cooked and delicious5) Dogs ARE still allowed in the cafeAll in all a great little cafe!

Willow Tree at Mercia Marina is a nice space, roomy with good light. A good menu but I did not try the food,The furniture is eclectic and for me very uncomfortable. There was only one seat that had a padded cushion. I would like to visit this place more often but it would need to have more sofa seating and some over stuffed chairs for me.Older people like this comfortable seating and can linger.Young lady making coffee was dressed neatly and was friendly.

Pleasant location at Marina. Good food, reasonable price. Fresh and clean surroundings. You can sit inside or out, dogs allowed and catered for outside.

Nice coffee but a couple of times lady has came over with our order and it was wrong. When I mentioned it she wasn't interested. She just walked away. Also I would expect when the staff clear the tables they should then wipe them clean as there is nothing worse than having a dirty table.I have been here a few times and have never seen this happen.

Five of us visited the tea rooms for afternoon tea on Friday. We arrived at 3 pm knowing they closed at 4.30 pm but were immediately given the impression we were not welcome. Everything, and I mean everything, was too much trouble for the person who served us, which we found a great shame because the location and the fittings of the tea rooms are superb and with a little ambiance it could be a great success. Very disappointing.

Called here at lunchtime with my mum to get some food. The service on food was really slow for saying they weren't really busy.

Having spent the last few Saturday mornings venturing around Derbyshire sampling a variety of breakfast treats I can honestly say this was the best Full English we’ve experienced. Friendly staff and a good buzz from a full cafe. The quality of the ingredients was special, no cheap sausage or wafer thin bacon and 3 size choices well priced.

Called here one Saturday 11am for a late breakfast snack. Met at the door (which was open) with a long queue of people waiting for tables and ordering food at the counter, which, at times, not knowing what queue was for food and what for tables. We managed to get a table but it had quite a few pots on waiting to be cleared. We sat a bit to wait for the queue to go down and eventually decided to go and order food. While waiting to order, we spotted a table in the window which, was ideal. The lady who served us was the manageress. She was really pleasant and considering the hassle and stress she was under was calm and oblidging. We ordered an egg and bacon sandwich, a breakfast with hashbrowns,black pudding, scrambled egg etc., which looked really appetising. I had 2 crumpets with marmalade. I wasn't too impressed as they had hardly been toasted and were still soft. Given there was so much going on and people still queueing I didn't take them back because it would have been a much longer wait. It was in my opinion like a conveyor belt of people going round and round. Not for me as it was too busy and too much bustle I'm afraid.

This is a popular venue, I tend to visit for lunch when the weather is bad, the visitor numbers are down so I can get a table. The drinks and food are good for me, the location is great, and there is plenty to do in and around the marina. My issue is that It can be difficult to get a table, and when its busy the service suffers, but other than that, great little place.

Reasonably priced tearooms. The food was excellent but you may have to wait for a table as busy times. Lovely views over the Marina, outside seating & dog friendly!

Lovely view out over the marina. Always make a lovely hot chocolate and cakes are good too. Never had the breakfast but it looks excellent...will have to try. Staff are helpful and friendly,

Friendly and helpful staff with a very visible owner always at hand to assist . The food is both good and reasonably priced. We have never left feeling disatisfied . It has the added attraction of the Marina ,boats,widlife and a few shops . Have visited for several years and will definitely contnue to do so.

This tea shop is in a lovely location at the marina where you can eat inside or outside. Several people brought their dogs in the tea room which I thought was unusual but I like dogs so it wasnt an issue for me personally.

I often attend here solo or with family, usually for breakfast / mid morning coffee and cake. Good menu, food always hot and served in a timely manner. Can be particularly busy in sunny summer days. Popular with dog walkers and cyclists.

We visited the marina and called in here for a chai latté and a delicious chocolate milkshake. We returned later for jacket spuds for lunch. The food and drinks arrived quickly and everything was good value for money. All the staff were very friendly and the place is bright and clean. We'd definitely go there again.

We have eaten breakfast here many times and my previous review was really good. However, in recent weeks we have been disappointed. Don't know if they have changed their cooking oil, but some of the breakfast components just don't taste as nice any longer, so much so that we have stopped having them. The mushrooms and hash browns now have an almost acrid, fatty taste - as if they have been cooked in old chip oil. Everything else is fine, but these are very disappointing and a bit offputting. Please go back to the old way of cooking them if you have changed!!

Having not been for a while I returned to the Willow Tree and discovered it was even better than it used to be, and it was brilliant before. I love the fact that it's dog friendly, the food is good, and the atmosphere is friendly.

Even with 7 children in tow the staff at Willow Tree Tea Room we’re friendly and welcoming!

Execellent food and service. Food is not badly priced. They need to clear the tables quicker and food was a 45 mintue wait and they werent that busy

When eventually we found the place we were pleased that it looked out onto the canal harbour. I had tried to book but was told I'd have to find space when we arrived. At least we got a table. We enjoyed what we had but found that it was rather noisy.

You can't review every eatery you go to, but I must take time to make comment on a very good english breakfast, served at a good price and with good service, and in a nice environment. Just did everything it said on the tin, well.

If you find yourself in this area then you must call in for The Breakfast they serve up Great staff and real value for the money

Super breakfast at this dog-friendly cafe. Great veggie options. Lovely views of the marina-outside seating available.

Indifferent service, scruffy tables which we cleared ourselves and lack of atmosphere. A canteen experience which one of our party rightly pointed out could do with a good clean. No return visit for us am afraid.

Fabulous, great tasting sausages, bacon, bean, and tomatoes; the eggs, mushrooms and toast were brilliant as well and the price very good vfm. I'll be back...

I aarived about 13-30 today, straight after an hospital visit. I was served at once. The food was hot and pleasantly served. A cappuccino and gateau were delicious afterwards. It is appreciated that glasses and chilled water are freely available.

This place is blessed with perfect location so for sure it’s busy no matter what’s the quality. It’s actually a very cheap deli , food is very very mediocre, don’t expect anything tasty , however it’s still nice to sit and chill when you visit this marina. Price is very reasonable too .

Friendly staff, excellent service..clean up quickly, very attentive, humourous. Lovely location. Olga is very friendly.

Fabulous breakfast menu selection at very reasonable prices and with no time limit. Staff always very helpful and polite. Regular visitors due to excellent food and service

We first went here early in November and it was so nice that we have been back quite a few times since. We've only tried the breakfasts and brunch and these are very good. Particularly the eggs Benedict and full boater's breakfasts. You can request how you like your bacon etc cooked, and generally it arrives how you like it. The poached eggs almost always have nice runny yolks. Good service, good portions and reasonable prices.

The food was fabulous and very well priced and the views are to die for. I wasn’t aware that places serving food could allow dogs inside. Unfortunately I’m highly allergic, and it wasn’t until our food arrived that the dogs descended. There were at least five in at one time, all within close proximity. Two of them were huge and not sat down, but moving around lots and it really affected me. Allergies aside I do feel that this isn’t really very hygenic while people are eating. I left without finishing, while sneezing and wheezing. I’m going to suffer for the rest of the day now, but if the dogs don’t bother you, then it’s a very nice place. I sadly won’t be visiting again.

A delightful place to get your morning coffee, and a full breakfast if that's what your looking for. Plenty of free parking adjacent and views over the marina and the newly extended shopping facilities. Although not eaten here all the fare looked appetizing and wholesome. Well worth stopping in for coffee and more....

First time I've tried the Willow Tea room and won't be the last.

Food is ok, great location, easy parking mid week, avoid market days no parking and long waits with service sacrificed.

What a great place for a traditional English Fry Up at a really great price it’s always very busy which is a great sign and you will probably have to wait for a table but it’s worth the wait. Try the Narrow Boat breakfast it’s great the Lincolnshire Sausages are really

Popped in on a whim as we were down at the marina to check out the wide beams for our retirement. There was a 10 year anniversary in full swing with an abundance of event catering on site. We popped in to the tea room as we needed a little quiet time and ordered lunch for us and our (very picky) daughters. TBH we were expecting the usual overpriced and under delivered food which has sadly become expected in any touristy place calling itself a 'Tea Room' So forked out £25 for a meal for 4, drinks for 4 and an additional pudding for 2. We are delighted to say we were totally blown away by the magnificent and plentiful portions, paninis, chips, salads, and kids meals which were NOT 'kids' meals at all but fabulous, freshly cooked and generous portions. The service was simply wonderful, a fabulous team on that day, the food was delicious and very very reasonably priced. We can not recommend this Tea Room highly enough. Thank you, it was memorable for all the best reasons x

Had a lovely lunch here, now called the Beetroot Tree! Service was good food reasonably priced! Only criticism is the lack of toilets for a cafe this size more than one toilet for everyone is required!

Good food and good service. Even though it was busy there was no problem being served. Nice to sit outside if the weather is good.

An enjoyable visit, except for the wasps - mind you it was a very warm day, and there was home-made strawberry jam on the tables! The tea came in a pot, and although most people seemed to have mugs, cups/saucers were provided for us. My scones were very good, as was my wife's lemon drizzle. We will go again.

Went there at midday on a Thursday, and the place was busy, but still had plenty of seating, both indoors and out. Indoors there were some settees and comfy chairs, but were mainly just padded chairs. The tables were excellent, nice and large with plenty of room around them. One aspect looked out over the marina.

The only reason I come to the tea room (aside from the delish scran) is a boy that works here. He is approximately 20 and has tattoos, I think his name was Rhys/Ryan or something. He is so cheery and always brings a smile to my face. Absolutely quality customer service. If he wasn’t there when I arrived, I would simply turn around and go elsewhere. The coffee was scrumptious, as was the chocolate brownie - but it wasn’t as sweet as him !

My family and I visit this cafe often, and the food is always brilliant, but this morning the customer service by a certain teenage/early twenites boy with a full sleeve of tattoos and curly hair was rather awful. He looked as though he hated his job and I didn't see him pull a smile once. Even when he served us and I said thank you, there was absolutely no response. A smile in a job like this is vital and I feel like words need to be had with this certain boy. If I see him at work there again I will simply turn away and go somewhere else.

Excellent cakes and paninis. Beautiful coffee. Cafe situated in the older part of the Marina. Views of the barges too if you sit outside. Dogs welcome.

Our first visit when able to sit outside. Table well spaced even with cycles and dogs between tables. Bacon sandwiches were excellent with hot moist bacon. Sauce in clean bottles rather than fiddly sachets. Bread was nice but could be slightly thicker. Will visit again for a full breakfast as seen on adjacent tables.

My wife and I have been to Mercia Marina and the Willow Tea Room, the food and service at the Willow is very good and reasonably priced, well worth a visit along with visiting the marina itself which has many outlets to view along with good walks and much for boating enthusiasts.

40 minute wait but it was busy. We each had a sandwich. The filling was delicious but spoiled by cheap bread. Shame.

I’ve eaten here many times and always found it to be really good. However, recently it has not maintained these high standards and I’m not sure why!

Having been told what a great place this was and seeing lots of good reviews on here we decided to go. First impressions were good, we got a table outside. We ordered sandwiches and drinks. I ordered a bacon and sausage sandwich on white bread and chips. When this arrived I was disappointed, the bread was thin white cheap sliced bread. The bacon over cooked and the sausages looked and tasted like they had been reheated in a microwave as the ends were crunchy and the sausage was dry. I thought it would come on thick sliced bread of a better quality. The chips weren't great either, very greasy and tasted of old oil.

Lovely location and great breakfast. Eaten here on numerous occasions and really enjoy the food. Good ingredients and very tasty.

As an alternative to the other coffee shop we visited this one . ( other onexwas closed ) The environment was very clean , welcoming , clutter free and friendly . Delicious food ( bacon roll , cake , milkshake and coffee ) The staff were so friendly and chatty . I later found out that both businesses are the same company so good luck to you . We will revisit and spend time with you

We had tea coffee & toasted teacakes - excellent quality and great value. The staff are very friendly And there's a lovely view out over the marina. Dog friendly as well.

We arrived at the Willow Tree for lunch, expecting to have to sit outside with our dog and were pleasantly surprised to be able to take her inside with us. There were a few dogs in there already and there was still plenty of room for people to move around easily. You help yourself to cold drinks from the fridge and my husband's coffee arrived very promptly, as did our jacket potatoes. Considering that it was quite busy, we were impressed with the service and the quality of the food. We will definitely go again.

Haven't eaten here for a long while, however due to time constraints we popped in for a bite to eat on route to our daughters.

Me and the wife visited here for the first time today Tuesday 3rd April 2018. wasn't busy went we first entered and got served , but a few minutes later it was packed. Didn't really see the menu but noticed many cakes, breakfasts were being served. We only had drinks plus toast and marmalade. Was nice being served the food which was good and hot. staff were mainly young girls who were very friendly and customer service focussed giving us a thankyou and bye as we left. Will certainly go again. There are tables and chairs outside too.

Firstly, this tea room is dog friendly so don’t be surprised at the occasional barking that occurs. We didn’t mind but it’s just a very unusual experience when sat inside at a tea room.

Average coffee. Chocolate Brownies (weren't) had more sugar than "Kendal Mint Cake" poor. Smart improvements now time to work on the substance. Don't think it's on my list for another visit. Sorry☹️

Sadly the breakfast we had today fell well below our expectations of the Willow Tea Room.We have visited on many occasions over the last few years for coffee,lunch and breakfast and have also taken visiting friends and family for breakfast there on a number of occasions.With the exception of the baked beans it was all tasteless. The bacon was hard and the "fried egg" looked more poached than fried.The food was served on cold plates which did not help. Overall a very disappointing experience, we are wondering if one of our favorite cafes is in decline since its refurbishment last year! The quality of the food was very poor and definitely needs to improve.

Great place for a cuppa - snack - lunch or cake. Fabulous staff - very popular and sometimes a wait for food as it’s cooked fresh but well worth the wait.

Third visit and reluctant to come back again after bad experiences before. Being treated to lunch so couldn’t really complain to my guest.

Been coming here for several months,at least twice a week and always had excellent food.However visited today with family who had never been before and due to the fact it was so busy,five of us were seated around a table for two.

Visited for breakfast and there was an old lady with 2 small dogs sitting on the chairs at the table. Surely this is a health and hygiene issue? Staff were ok apart from a salty red head who served us. Not everyone likes dogs and...

We had picked the tea room as a coffee stop on our route through the app what’s half way . It’s just off the A38. What a find! Excellent service, food and great value for money . Will definitely make it our regular stop off. We were then able to have a walk around the marina and shops- delightful

I came here today with my parents and daughter. It was really busy, despite the awful weather. The interior is modern and clean. There is a very good selection of food available and it’s not too fancy. I asked if there was gluten free bread available and I was delighted to be told there was. It’s frozen bread so I had to have it toasted. My daughter and I had 2 poached eggs on toast with added bacon. It was delicious. My parents had bacon cobs which had plenty of rashers in them. The service was excellent and we didn’t have to wait too long for our meals.

What a transformation to these tea rooms, long time since I’ve been here presently surprised with the tea rooms, meeting a friend with a pet dog who was able to bring her dog in the tea rooms how refreshing !!

If you’re looking for a place to have a wonder or meet with friends or just for food/drink then this is well worth a visit.

We came here after a miserable visit to Barton Marina. What a change! We were greeted by these lovely tearooms which are run by a friendly, helpful staff. We had some cups of delicious hot chocolate which really warmed us up on a cold day. We will certainly come here again.

Really, I do travel all those miles for breakfast, a whole hour and a half down the M1 and back again

I called in today after a walk in the winter sunshine, cold and ready for a "winter warmer".

Have used tea rooms since opening,but now dogs allowed inside.Surely a hygiene issue. ..Will not use again.

Lovely little spot. Nice drinks and cake. Fabulous view out to the marina and canal boats. Will definitely return.

Called in on Sunday lunchtime when it was quite busy but was welcomed with a smile and soon found an empty table.

Staying nearby and found this gem by accident. Was very busy as it was a beautiful sunny morning. Lots of options to suit every palate for breakfast. Staff were friendly. Service was prompt. Recommended.

Well improved since i last tried this a while ago.

We called today for a spot of breakfast, the marina and it’s surroundings are really beautiful.. the tea rooms which I would now say is more a cafe have had a facelift since my last visit and it’s really bright and welcoming. The food was fantastic we both had an English breakfast mine a large and to be honest I couldn’t manage it all ! Cooked to perfection and very tasty complete with a generous pot of tea and choice of white, whole meal or granary toast. We will be returning very soon.

I have eaten better food in a motorway service station! The bacon is always like dried leather and they have no idea how to cook toast!! The crumpet served with eggs and salmon was rock hard. It appeared to me to be a stale crumpet that had then been toasted. It was nearly impossible to cut. Very disappointing.

Another Sunday, and another bunch of cyclists littering the marina with their bikes. This time they left their bikes ready to fall on unsuspecting customers, and, caused a severe trip hazard by leaving their bags and helmets on the floor. It seems that cyclists are a nuisance off the road as well as on it. This is a wonderful cafe, occasionally spoiled by hoards of selfish cyclists.

I have eaten at the Willow Tree tea rooms a couple of times, and always been surprised to find that dogs are allowed inside. They can be a nuisance, and a definite tripping hazard for customers and staff carrying food. But yesterday I was horrified to see a dog obviously known to some of the staff, who fussed and stroked the animal - and then went into the kitchen and brought out food without having washed their hands.Food served has always been good, though sometimes there can be a delay in waiting for it to be served.Drink service is very efficient and always a good standard.

Ordered coffees , they do soya milk options so that's good. Kids milkshake was 75% squirty cream so very sickly. Ordered toasted sandwiches but they came untoasted. Service, average wait. Staff neither jolly or sombre.

We have just come away from here very disappointed, having waited an hour for 2 Jacket Potatoes; had Inpt enquirer about the status of the order we would still be waiting now; the excuse given was that the "ticket has blown off the board"I've given more than 1 star because they offered a free coffee and the food (when you eventually receive it) is OK.Lovely location and reasonable food let down by below par service and attention to detail.

Visited here on a whim but was pleasantly surprised. The staff were friendly and served with a smile. The food came out in a reasonable time. It was all freshly cooked and very tasty. It was bustling but did not feel overcrowded or rushed. I will definitely revisit

Appalling service, waited over an hour for food and when the tall boy dropped it on the table didn't say a word. Terrible wouldn't recommend and wouldn't come again staff need further training

I visited the willow tree this morning with my mother and father and two children. We ordered three breakfasts (all of which were lovely and excellent value). We also ordered beans on toast with cheese for me. When the meal arrived the waitress was quite unfriendly but as the value and venue were good we let it pass. Upon looking at my beans on toast I could see green flecks in the cheese. I picked out 4 or 5 pieces of obviously mouldy cheese pieces from the pre-grated cheese on my food and put them to one side. I knew that mouldy cheese wouldn't kill me, after all some cheeses are created with mould! I intended to mention the issue discreetly to a member of staff before I left so that the cheese could be disposed of to avoid any unnecessary problems for the business.Before I left I called over the email sitters that had served our food to us in the first place and explained that whilst I had picked out the mould, other people may not have been so willing to do that and asked if she could address this issue. She seemed anxious to return to the kitchen to fetch some toast that another customer was waiting for and made no attempt to apologise to me or indeed thank my for my discretion! She returned to the kitchen empty handed (leaving the mouldy cheese and all our dirty pots on the table). She returned moments later with the other customer's toast and again returned to the kitchen empty handed. I doubt that my information even made it to the chef or anyone in a position of management! I could have let the oversight of mouldy cheese go but the lack of apology or customer service is unforgivable - I will not return!

What a lovely place to snack and such a lovely choice of lovely sandwiches,cakes and hot food very friendly and lovely surroundings a must to visit.

We have called into The Willow Tree Tea Room on several occasions. Always busy and drinks are always served promptly. I'm happy to accept a wait for good food, but why serve it on cold plates - it's lukewarm by the time it gets to your table. Also, they seem to have a problem making toast, it's basically warm bread rather that crispy toast. Lastly, it's all very well clearing the tables quickly to accommodate new customers but from a hygiene point of view, they need to be wiped down, its basic stuff.They've had enough of our business now, we've found a lovely place instead, Canal Side Cafe at Fradley Junction.

Me and a friend visited for brunch and a tea. It's a very relaxed atmosphere- grab a table when you come in. It does get busy so you are not always guaranteed one. I had an English breakfast and my friend had a sausage sandwich. Both were lovely. Staff were very nice and attentive.Place is very clean and modern.Will definitely be revisiting.

Lovely choice of delicious cakes and a pot of tea with a relaxing view over the water. Lovely place to enjoy a ribsticking piece of cake !

Called in briefly for a drink and snack during the afternoon. A few customers were still tackling their substantial all day breakfast with gusto. We were served quickly. Our coffee was fine. We were a bit put off by dogs in the cafe. However we now know it is intending to be dog-friendly. The tables were very quickly cleared as customers left but not wiped down. It was much more roomy and attractive than on our last visit.

Really great staff, good service. Lovely food and a great place to sit out and look over the water with a cuppa.