Easter Teas & Treats

Made egg-specially for Easter

Bea's of Bloomsbury (Multiple) — Opened in 2009, Bea's is known for their casual afternoon tea. An Easter cupcake and vanilla bunny biscuit complete Bea’s Easter Afternoon Tea priced at £32.50 / person (wheat-free and vegetarian options are available). Until April 2nd
www.beas.london

The Biscuiteers (Multiple) — These iced biscuits taste as good as they look and are literally works of art (not surprisingly many Biscuiteers icers are artists as well). There is an Easter Egg Biscuit tin of 8 iced biscuits for £35 or an Easter Party Luxe tin of 15 iced biscuits for £45. Order by Wednesday for delivery to your home by Easter.
www.biscuiteers.com

Duck & Waffle (London) — Located on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower, Duck & Waffle is considered the highest restaurant in the country. The restaurant will feature a special chocolate ‘Rubber Duck’ dessert (white chocolate shell filled with brownie bits, chocolate mousse and mint chocolate foam served with salted caramel sauce) to be shared by two for £16. Only April 1st
www.duckandwaffle.com+44 2036 407310
Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY

Fortnum & Mason (London) — The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon opened by HM The Queen is the perfect place to have a traditional afternoon tea and enjoy Fortnum's famous loose-leaf tea.  Fortnum’s Easter Afternoon Tea features Easter-themed cakes and pastries starts at £49 / person. Until April 8th
www.fortnumandmason.com +44 2077 348040

181 Piccadilly, London W1A 1ER

Monty Bo Jangles Truffle Bar (Reigate) — Monty Bo Jangles Truffle Easter Eggs come with with single flavor (Berry Bubbly, Choccys Scoffy, Flutter Scotch or Scrumple Nutty) award-winning French cocoa dusted truffles inside for £6 each or with a range of flavors inside for £10 each.  These can be found at their retail shop in Reigate and from local grocery stores, specialty shops and on-line.
www.montybojangles.com+44 2086 685261
57 High Street, Reigate, RH2 9AE


Warren House (Kingston-Upon-Thames) — Enjoy afternoon tea in this Victorian Grade II listed home surrounded by beautiful gardens set on four acres. Afternoon tea prices start at £28.95 / person (£14.45 / child) and includes a mousse with champagne foam and pistachio and rosewater cake specifically made for Easter. Until April 2nd
www.warrenhouse.com+44 2085 471777
Warren Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT2 7HY

Even if you don't make it in time for Easter, these places are worth visiting year-round!

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Sunbury Eats

Where to get a bite to eat — favorite independent cafes post-Sunbury

Kempton
Dish Cafe — A wonderful place for a coffee or light bite (and one of the few that is open from 6 am daily). After you order at the counter, head to the back of the restaurant. There is a small outdoor courtyard with a few tables that can be easy to miss. www.hamptoncourtdish.com ✆ +44 2089 411095 
3 Bridge Road, East Molesey KT8 9EU


Mada Deli — A few doors down is Mada Deli that features consistently good food (love that breakfast is served until 4 pm). Outdoor seating for people watching is a premium on the weekends — so you will need to go early to get a seat in the sunshine.
www.madadeli.com ✆ +44 2089 797553
11 Bridge Road, East Molesey KT89EU

The added bonus of refueling in East Molesey is more antique shops (if you are not on sensory overload from Kempton!).

Sandown
Cafe Menta — Up the street is Cafe Menta — a great place for breakfast and salads. The owner is friendly and has a knack for remembering customer's preferences. On my second visit he already knew the variations to my omelette and fresh squeezed juice combination.
✆ +44 1372 467559
64 High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10 9QS

G!RO Cafe — Part cycle shop, part cafe, G!RO is known from their organic coffee and health conscience dishes for the fitness set. However, the delicious baked goods (sourced from Pinnocks Coffee House in Ripley) are not to be missed — my top pick is the chocolate and raspberry brownie.
www.girocycles.com ✆ +44 1372 701701
2 High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10 9RT

If you need a pick-me-up while shopping at Kempton, The Great British Toastie Company tea van strategically placed halfway through the market is a popular stop. 

Located in front of the grandstand is newcomer, Cafe Noir that serves up donuts and waffles — less of a queue (for now). Wherever you end up going, I can't think of a better way to spend the morning!

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Sunbury expands to Sandown

Biggest antiques market set to get bigger

Beginning next month, the Sunbury Antiques Market at Kempton Park Racecourse will expand to Sandown Park Racecourse. Kempton will continue to take place the second and last Tuesday of the month, while Sandown will take place the first Tuesday at of the month (except for November).

Sunbury Antiques Market is the largest and oldest antiques market in the country. Considered one of the premier antique markets, it takes place the second and last Tuesday of the month. The items featured by the 700+ indoor and outdoor stallholders from all over Europe, include new and vintage: 
  • furniture
  • garden items
  • household decor
  • jewelry
  • paintings
  • and just about everything else in between
Like Kempton, Sandown will feature indoor and outdoor stalls and offer free admission and parking.  However, the trading hours will be slightly different.  Sandown opens from 7 am to 1 pm, while Kempton opens at 6:30 am and finishes by 2 pm.  

If Kempton is any indication, go early for the best deals and in anticipation that stallholders may pack up early depending on how sales are going or the weather. 

Either way in this case there is no such thing as too much of a good thing!

www.sunburyantiques.com+44 1932 230946
Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames TW16 5AQ

Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher KT10 9AJ

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Spring Blooms

Photo opps for Mothering Sunday

Until last week, we’ve had an unseasonably mild winter — at least where flowers are concerned. While snowdrops bloomed on schedule in January, daffodils that typically bloom in March were  already out in February.  Where to spot snowdrops and daffodils in Surrey:
  • Claremont Landscape Garden and Painshill Park — Mum's go free March 11th when accompanied by their children.  What to see while you are there . . .
  • Guildford Castle Grounds — For the best view, climb the tower The Guildford Castle.  The season Family Fun opening event takes place March 24th.  
  • Hampton Court Palace The Wilderness located in the East Front Gardens is home to over 1 million flowering bulbs and is famous for its daffodils.
Even if the cold snap means some of the flowers are a bit behind in blooming — the photos taken at these spots will last longer than any bouquet of flowers!

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