‘Said the Hatter with a sigh “It’s always tea time…So recently I was lucky enough to be treated to a visit to the Mad Hatters Tea Room in Chester, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to tell you lovely lot all about it!
I think I’ve made it clear that I love food, but what you probably didn’t know is that I love Alice in Wonderland too, it was actually the theme to my wedding! I love all versions: from the classic Lewis Carroll book, the Disney cartoon to the brilliant Tim Burton adaption – they are all wonderful in my opinion. So to go to a place called the Mad Hatters Tea Room and have food? You can only guess at my excitement! Be warned I may ramble on a little in this post, sorry (not really…)
‘i knew who i was this morning, but i’ve changed a few times since then…’
The historic city of Chester was originally founded as a Roman Fort in 79AD and is one of the best preserved walled cities in Britain. With a number of medieval building and beautiful Victorian restorations, this stunning city is steeped in history, and this multi-award winning tea room is situated in the unique building of the Rectory. The Grade II listed building adds a touch of ‘wonderland’ and eccentricity to the Mad Hatters Tea Room, the building was probably built in the 15th Century, and was rebuilt and given to the St Michael’s Parish as a Rectory house in 1659. It was then altered again in the 18th century, and has been decorated and restored throughout its history, you can still see, however the 17th century timber frames, plaster panels and the form of the galleried hall open to the roof. A stunning and interesting setting with lots of nooks and crannies to explore.
‘why is a raven like a writing desk?’
Open since 2011 the Mad Hatters Tea Room have gained a huge following, and rightly so as they are very passionate about food, both savoury and sweet! The very talented bakers were featured in ITV’s ‘Britain’s Best Bakery’ in 2014 and in Channel 4’s ‘Heston’s Great British Food’, and are also in some up and coming TV productions too, so keep your eyes peeled! The bakers love to experiment and the Mad Hatters theme gives then huge scope to keep creating new and exciting flavours to try, like the upside down pear and ginger cake, raspberry brownies and the delicious looking walnut whip whoopie pies to name a few! They love the fun and quirkier side of life and the tea room has a warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere where you can enjoy breakfast, elevenses, light lunches and, of course, afternoon tea.
‘imagination is the only weapon in the war against reality’
Imagine a world of cake, any flavour you could wish for, this is what the Mad Hatters Tea Room is all about! Endless, delicious food and a huge range of tea! They have everything from Camomile, mint humbug, pina colada and oolong (black dragon tea, I would have had this just for the name!) to green and normal breakfast tea, something for everyone! They also have a great selection of coffee, soft drinks and milkshakes! There is a great hot chocolate drink everyone should try, the KOKONOIR Hot Chocolate, it comes with a real Belgian chocolate stick to stir until it melts into your drink…I’ll just leave you with that beautiful mental image while I wipe away the drool from my mouth.
They don’t just do cake here, although that’s enough to get me out of bed in the morning, the Mad Hatters breakfast and lunch menus are filled with tastiness! Ranging from a full Mad Hatters breakfast, with bacon rashers and toast, to porridge or something my husband used to treat me to, Eggy Bread! The lunch menu has homemade soups, kippers, sandwiches, jacket spuds and an old university favourite of mine, Corned beef hash, (my roommate made this when I was very unwell with tonsillitis in my first year, it could have been freshers flu…) Both menus are full of lovely lunches to have before hitting the surrounding Chester shops!
‘if i had a world of my own everything would be nonsense’
Everything would be cake not nonsense for me, but each to their own ay Alice! The Mad Hatters Tea Room has a range of wonderful Afternoon Tea’s, from the Cheshire Cat’s Cream Tea of a duo of scones and a pot of tea, to the full Alice’s Afternoon Tea. Including a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and a choice of cakes from the daily selection, served with a pot of salted popcorn and a great bottomless pot of tea of your choice. You can even add a glass of bubbly and turn it into the Red Queens Afternoon Tea! I loved my Alice’s Afternoon Tea, everything from the delicious finger sandwiches, to the mouth watering scones and my glorious macaroon and chocolate and caramel cupcake, which was mind blowing! The Earl Grey tea looked lovely and must have tasted good as a second pot was called for! Everything looked amazing and I wanted it all, but it is surprising how filling it is, cakes were taken home in boxes and polished off later that night. It was such a delightful treat!
‘if you don’t know where you are going, any road can take you there’
If you are looking for a lovely, relaxing afternoon, or even breakfast, out in Chester, look no further than the Mad Hatters Tea Room. You can even join in on the fun and learn how to use colour and glitter to set off your own cupcakes at their great bakery and cake decoration classes, where you can take home what you create and make everyone jealous! So why not pop into the Mad Hatters Tea Room in Chester, say hello to the friendly staff and try some cake, tea or a mouth-watering hot chocolate, you may even see a jabberwocky or two…
‘sometimes i’ve believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast…’
Keep the imagination alive ladies and gents, happy afternoon tea! Change Places!!