It's always tea time...

Hello lovely people.

One of my Christmas presents from my dads wife Marlane was a voucher for a themed tea for two at a lovely restaurant called The Essex. I could take anyone I wanted so I chose my mum as I felt she deserved a break from everything she does plus she helps me in so many ways so it felt right to give back to her! 

I, of course, opted for the Alice in Wonderland themed tea party and have been so excited for it. I'm not the girliest person but I do love a good afternoon tea. Now I will mention now that it was the first time I've been away from my little Jack for longer then an hour since I've had him and it felt weird leaving him but I'm a sense I'm glad I decided to let Scott have some father son time without me. He would have been bored and would have wanted to smash it all to smithereens'. It was still weird though.

I had considered dressing up but my wardrobe consists of tshirts and jeans. Plus it was suppose to be relaxing so obviously I wore my Hogwarts jumper. The only things I own that have Alice in Wonderland on it is a tshirt but its a twisted version of it (Alice is holding a knife as a demonic looking white rabbit approaches her.. Awesome) and a Cheshire cat onsey. So of course I didn't think either were appropriate for comfort or a bit of sophistication (hahaha me... Sophisticated.. Good one). So Hogwarts jumper and jeans it was! I don't know why I didn't think of it to begin with.

I have to say it was lovely! Very simply designed table with themed items on it (including a small top hat with rabbit ears attached to it) and it was fine china tea cups! Loved it! My mum loves cups that feel like they're going to break or that are made from thin air... so we had to swap cups as mine was apparently a bit too thick.. almost paper thin!! Disgraceful. The sandwiches were half brown and half white which gave it a nice little effect, the scones, jam and clotted cream were ammmaaaazing! and the little cakes, all themed I might add, were so yummy. Though we didn't eat the cakes there and then as we were stuffed after sandwiches and scones but they gave us a bag to take them home in (Scott ate them).

It was such a lovely relaxed atmosphere, the staff were attentive but not too over bearing (I hate it when they hover, waiting for you to shove a mouthful of food in your mouth before asking if everything is ok... they did not do this, I was very happy). We actually got talking to them after we had finished and found out that a lot of the teacups and saucers had been donated by people all over the place, plus some of the props they use for the different themes! I thought this was such a lovely idea and it just added to the experience really. They were open and friendly. We even found out that some of the props had been stolen by some people which I thought was disgraceful, not only is it wrong but it takes away from the next people to enjoy it! Any way.

All in all I definitely recommend this to anyone, she said they do hen parties and are always going the themed tea for two! The themes include Alice In Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs and The Wizard of Oz! I'd love to experience them all. Plus you can either have the classic traditional tea or you can have a cocktail option, the cocktails and named with each theme in mind as well. As we were finishing ours they had started setting up a Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and a Snow White one on other tables (So of course we took a few shots so I could show you!). I definitely recommend for a Christmas/ Birthday/ Hen Party or even just a small treat for yourself. It is £35 for the traditional tea or £45 for the cocktail option (obviously if you opt for the cocktail make sure you have some one come pick you up after so you can enjoy it, otherwise be good and have tea!).

'Charlie and the Chocolate Factory'

'Snow White'

 They have people come from all over to enjoy their restaurant and particularly their themed tea for twos! Just click "The Essex" and check out what they have to offer. Hope you give them a go, it is completely worth it :)

Take it easy. Have a tea on me (Not literally on me... not even figuratively.. just drink some tea.)

Ellie x