Tea at Scolfe's

As I have mentioned before, there is a wonderful country tea room, Scolfe's, in Boreham Street, just a short distance from Herstmonceux Castle where I'm teaching for the next few weeks. I planned one of my walks yesterday so that I would pass Scolfe's just in time for a late lunch. I am so glad I did.

I had been to Scolfe's once before, last year, and had thoroughly enjoyed my visit. The tea room is in an ancient building (probably built in the fourteenth century, before the castle was built). For more on their site and history, see this.

Sometimes Scolfe's is so busy, you need a reservation. This is particularly true on Sundays. Other times you might be lucky and find a table without a reservation, as happened for me. 

Scolfe's does not serve a full afternoon tea like those I have reviewed in the past (see the links below). Rather, their specialty is various teas and lunches. A sample menu is available here.  But I will make an exception and include them in my list, as I did with The Pump Room in Bath a few years ago.

Both times I have been to Scolfe's I have been very  impressed. First, even though it is a small tea room, they provide lapsang souchong tea; many tea rooms this size do not have it available. 

Second, even though they serve the tea in the pot (generally a no-no because of the bitterness that develops after some time), they serve it in small porcelain pots, covered with tea cozies to keep it hot, and one ordinarily finishes a pot before it has a chance to develop the bitterness that comes from over-steeping. Furthermore, they provide you with additional hot water, should you wish it; and, best of all, they will bring you a fresh pot at no charge whenever you like.

Third, the scones at Scolfe's are near perfection, at least for my tastes. They are home-made, on site. They appear to have a bit of whole-wheat flour in them, which suits me. And they are served warm. Not only that, but they are served with clotted cream AND with what seemed to be pectin-free home-made strawberry jam. The entire scone experience was probably the best I have had in all my expeditions... both times I was there.

On this visit, I also had what was billed as "summer pudding", a collection of fresh fruits in a tart-sized bread cup, turned upside down in a bowl. It was very good. But the best part was the ice cream it was served with. It was delicious, creamy, locally farm-made, fresh ice cream. I don't know that I have ever in my entire life had better ice cream. Offer to pay extra for an extra scoop. You won't regret it.

I have enjoyed my two visits to Scolf's so much that I am putting them in my top category, even though they do not serve the full, proper English afternoon tea. That's how good they are!

Later this week, The Lanesboro. Next week, The Grand Hotel in Eastbourne. And a pilgrimage to Islay in between.

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My previous reviews, ranked in order of preference:

      These three were superb. Highly recommended:

• The Four Seasons, London, England
• The St. Regis Hotel, Houston, Texas
• Scolfe's Tea Room, Boreham Street, England (this review)

Those in this next group were okay. I would consider returning to them, but those at the top of the list much more so than those near the bottom of this section:

• Claridge's, London, England
• The Dorchester, London, England
• The Ritz, London, England
• Brown's, London, England
• The Pump Room, Bath, England
• The Windsor Arms, Toronto, Canada
• The Boathouse, Guelph, Canada
• Langdon Hall, Cambridge, Canada

These next two were unacceptable:

• The Royal Crescent Hotel, Bath, England
• The Queen's Hotel, Portsmouth, England