There are fewer pleasures in life finer than sipping freshly brewed tea, snacking on finger sandwiches and catching up with your best friends. Lucky for us there are many wondrous to visit throughout the county. Step back in time and enjoy a light lunch or traditional afternoon tea at the 16th-century Tiptree Essex Rose tea room in the village of Dedham, right in the heart of Constable country.
The timber-framed building with its pretty leaded windows overlooks the market square and is a popular spot with both visitors and local residents. Afternoon tea, with a choice of sandwiches and homemade scones plus Tiptree preserves and Rodda’s Cornish Clotted Cream is served on vintage crockery and makes a timeless choice for traditionalists. Dedham’s wide high street, elegant church and gracious houses reflect its heritage as a one-time “wool town”.
The wool industry here may have disappeared, but the thriving village still boasts an interesting selection of shops, hostelries and historic buildings. Pop into the Sweetie Parlour at the side of the tea room and in summer you’ll find soft-scoop ice cream topped with a chocolate flake to enjoy, the perfect accompaniment to a walk by the river Stour. There’s plenty to interest lovers of both the natural world and art here in Dedham too.
Follow in the footsteps of landscape artist John Constable with a walk along the Stour’s banks and through nearby countryside to Flatford Mill. Or visit Castle House, one-time home to artist.
