ELISHA EATS
Let them eat cake Drinking tea is our national pastime – so what better way to treat your mum this Mother’s Day than taking her out for afternoon tea? Elisha Young rounds up some of her favourite tea spots
L et’s be honest, it’s not difficult to enjoy sipping tea, nibbling finger sandwiches and sampling tiny cakes. That’s probably why afternoon tea is such a popular choice for special occasions. The only possible source of contention is whether you believe scones should be cream or jam first – and even then, a miniature Victoria sponge is usually sufficient to heal such rifts. (My mother is jam first, so I just avert my eyes as soon as she starts slicing her scone.) If you’re looking for a way to show appreciation for your mum, taking her somewhere she can indulge in lots of tea and cake is probably a good place to start – so here I give you my top picks situated in and around Cambridge. Peacocks Tearoom in Ely is a first- rate option if you’ve forgotten to make a reservation. At this quaint riverside venue, simply show up at the door and wait for a table to become available. The interior is quirky and cosy, with plenty of vintage crockery, chintz and antique furniture. The food is definitely worth queuing for, and you’ll usually be seated more quickly than you’d expect. Everything is homemade, hearty and properly delicious. The cakes are moist, the scones are hefty and the tea selection is impressively extensive. Also on offer is blackcurrant jam, which is in my opinion the best and most underrated option for pairing with scones. I particularly recommend trying the lemon and lavender cake if you go for the Special Afternoon Tea set, but you might want to opt for the Peacocks Pink Perfection, which features salmon sandwiches, rosé prosecco, a scone with cream and jam, a chocolate brownie and tea of your choice. The portions are very generous, so make sure to arrive with an empty stomach and an open mind. Slightly closer to Cambridge, Histon’s The Station House is another top-quality choice. Conveniently, it is located right beside the guided busway; useful if you can’t drive and need to rely on public transport. This pre-booked afternoon tea even has Hot Numbers coffee in its offering, so it’s perfect for the determined
SWEET SELECTIONS Afternoon tea from The Station House at Histon offers sugary and savoury options
The final recommendation comes straight from my mum, so you know it’s legit (and if you don’t like it, blame her instead of me!). Carriages of Cambridge offers the unique chance to experience afternoon tea while seated inside lovingly restored vintage train carriages. You can drink either coffee or tea and there are vegetarian, pescatarian, vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free menus available, catering to all dietary preferences. If you want a really special treat, you also have the option of adding champagne, wine or ale, but the food is good enough to need no accompaniment. The sandwiches are hand-prepared, the scones are freshly baked and the petit fours are carefully crafted. If you don’t enjoy sweet things, there’s also an entirely savoury cream tea that includes cheese scones and chilli jam. Now you’re fully equipped to organise a lovely, relaxing afternoon tea for Mother’s Day – just don’t start a scone debate!
caffeine addict in your life (Kandula tea is also available). Although I thought that the cucumber and mint cream cheese sandwich sounded boring, it ended up being a surprise hit, featuring mint grown outside the front door. For sweet treats, you can expect a fruit scone with cream and jam, served alongside smooth and creamy lemon posset, intensely fudgy chocolate brownies, macarons, as well as pear and chocolate tarts. My personal favourite was the pear tart, but the selection was varied enough that anyone could find something to tickle their taste buds. The service is also extremely friendly and efficient, which is always a nice bonus.
To show appreciation for your mum , taking her to indulge in lots of tea and cake is probably a good place to start
CAMBSEDITION.CO.UK MARCH 2025 59
Powered by FlippingBook