Visit Essex’s top ten Mother’s Day afternoon teas

1st March 2026

Visit Essex reveals the top 10 places to take mum for afternoon tea this Mother’s Day, including some  ‘Bridgerton’ style experiences

Councillor Mark Durham, Chair of Visit Essex, explains: “Mum’s work hard every day of the year and Mother’s Day is the ideal time to show our appreciation. The county is blessed with top cafes, restaurants and hotels in stunning locations and provide the perfect place to treat mum to a special afternoon tea.”

The top ten places in Essex to treat mums to the best afternoon tea are:   

1 Greyfriars, Colchester
Set in the heart of historic Colchester, Greyfriars offers one of the most elegant dining experiences in the city. Treat mum to an afternoon tea fit for a Queen in the stylish Art Deco Cloisters restaurant. 

2 Tiptree Tearooms
Whether you enjoy vibrant cities or coastal views, Tiptree’s chain of tearooms has something for everyone. The pretty tearooms offer a nostalgic afternoon escape. Mums can enjoy homemade cakes, scones, blended teas, and of course the famous Tiptree jams. 

3 Audley End House and Gardens
Step into a Bridgerton-like world at Audley End House and Gardens near Saffron Walden. The stately home is one of England’s grandest complete with sweeping parkland landscaped. The café offers freshly baked afternoon teas, an ideal treat for mum’s big day out. 

4 Hylands House
Head over to Hylands House, a magnificent mansion on the outskirts of Chelmsford with over 500 acres of rolling parkland, perfect for a relaxed spring wander.
Promenade around the park before heading to the stable yard full of artist studios. Treat mum to a special lunch or afternoon tea at the café.

5 Cammas Hall Tea Barn
Countryside loving mums, will jump at the chance to put on their wellies and head to Cammas Hall Farm in Hatfield Broad Oak! The farm has a stunning country barn where you can treat mum to a hearty lunch or tea with yummy homemade cake in the Tea Barn. 

6 RHS Hyde Hall
Mums who love gardens will adore RHS Hyde Hall, where afternoon tea comes with one of the county’s most beautiful backdrops. Choose from the café or the Barn Restaurant for a relaxed seasonal afternoon tea experience.

7 Downham Hall Restaurant 
Dine like Downton Abbey’s the Crawleys at Downham Hall; this beautiful country house provides the perfect setting for one of the finest afternoon teas. Served on the finest of China is their delectable finger sandwiches, dainty cakes and scones. The restaurant crafts its menu from local seasonal produce and offers elegant plating.

8 Cruise Essex - Fambridge
For something a little different, treat mum to afternoon tea aboard a cruise along the river Crouch. Departing from North Fambridge, Cruise Essex offers scenic river voyages where visitors can enjoy tea while watching marshland wildlife, sailboats gliding by and the calming expanse of the estuary.

9 Wivenhoe House Hotel
Step into one of Essex’s most elegant county houses. Wivenhoe House is a beautiful 18th-century manor set amongst acres of parkland. Mums will love Wivenhoe House’s afternoon tea, featuring freshly baked scones, delicate sandwiches and patisseries. It’s a wonderfully relaxing way to spoil mum, especially when paired with a flute of fizz.

10 Poplar Nurseries, Marks Tey
Surround mum with plants and flowers at Poplar Nurseries near Colchester before indulging mum to a delightful afternoon tea in the much-loved restaurant. Spoil mum with homemade cakes and scones for a fun day out. 

To discover more places to treat mums, go to www.visitessex.com.