The best restaurants serving British food in Bicknacre and East and West Hanningfield Chelmsford East of England

Review White Elm Garden Centre/Tea Room, White Elm Road, Bicknacre, Chelmsford CM3 4LR. First week in July and the summer weather across this part of south Essex had been terrible – cold, blustery, endless rain and little in the way of pleasure being outside. Which is how we came to share an hour or so in the White Elm Garden and Tea Room Centre that morning. We had earlier had in mind a walk across the hills behind Cold Norton that would enable us to take in the views across North Fambridge and the River Crouch to the south – for the pleasure of revisiting country that we once knew well. It was much the same when we drove across country to Bicknacre through Purleigh and passed by the Village Hall where, many years ago, we had enjoyed our wedding reception. Amazing … just like that. The White Elm Tea Room at Bicknacre that morning, however, was new country for us. It was warm, friendly and comfortable. It was also popular, with the larger of the two-dining rooms seemingly bursting at the seams – full tables, everyone talking and, as we found, virtually impossible to speak/hear one-to-the-other even leaning across the table. We quickly upped tables and heading into the small dining room next door – empty of people – and took a table at the window looking out to the commercial gardens that dominated the surrounding yards. They were chock full of flowering shrubs, many of which were potted plants with sales tags attached. It was a gorgeous setting for morning coffee/snack. Moreover, we were able to speak comfortably one-with-the-other from the start. Our dining room quickly began to fill – as more punters followed us in. The novelty of the clientele quickly became apparent as a cross-section of all kinds of those 65 and older – some of them leaning heavily on sticks and on each another. Other people, clearly grandmas all, were pushing tiny tots in buggies and/or trailing pre-schoolers by hand. Women easily outnumbered the menfolk. Table taken we headed for the counter in the main dining room next door to order/pay for our drinks and snacks. These followed us back to our table (by number) 10-12 minutes later. We bought four coffees and a couple of jam doughnuts – cut into quarters at the table - to share. We paid £18.00. Three large cappuccini were each the same price as one small flat white (at £3.25). Small cappuccini were £2.50 each. Why? The doughnuts were £2.50 each. Coffees were hot, tasty and well-presented with a dust of chocolate across the top, and the doughnuts were fresh, succulent and ate well. It was a delightful last morning break in a highly popular venue. Issues? None come immediately to mind … well, except for the rope across the footpath at the entrance to the café telling you – the punter – to wait at the rope for someone from inside to come and fetch you. Novel. You couldn’t actually see inside from where the rope held you back so there was no way of attracting attention. It was raining/damp hanging around outside. For all that, we were just removing the rope to walk through when a friendly woman came out of the door to deal with us and the half-dozen people waiting patiently behind us. She told us to find a table to suit. We did. Then it was raining – sufficient to get wet unless you had brought your brolly with you. Follow the pathway alongside the café as you leave, however, and then duck into the shop/services section of the garden centre and you can explore the extra-ordinary selection of all kinds of garden ware/tool/equipment/plants, etc. and/or cut through to one side heading out via a long-covered plant house to the car park outside. This way you’re less likely to get wet. Everywhere you walked between car park and café there were racks/tables/lines/collections of plants for sale. The majority were in bloom and the surrounding country was a wealth of colours … it was gorgeous. Plants/pots looked to be in fair condition with hardly a blemish/damaged/shed leaves/petals to be seen. Plant management/presentation was good. But we were not buying - simply enjoying the delight of display. It had been much the same with our morning break - an enjoyable interlude in a comfortable venue. Peter Steele 09 July 2024

Wow that was up there with the worst food I have eaten! Had the hot share plater deep fried slop. Soggy garlic bread, old salad with a dollop of fresh coleslaw on top. The onion rings raw in the middle. My senses told me not to risk the nachos they looked like they had been knocking about for a few weeks 🤮 obviously why the place was empty

Can’t recommend this place enough, first time for 4 of us today and will be booking again soon. Food was fresh and delicious and service was excellent!! Can’t wait to return, thank you