P is for Peacocks Tea Room

Though I probably missed a big opportunity to wax poetic about Pimm's, there's no better use for the letter "P" than for Peacocks Tearoom and Fine B&B in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

A proper cuppa.

This was my friends' and my go-to place for a lovely lunch...it wasn't uncommon for us to literally spend hours there.  I think once we arrived around 11am and closed them out around 5pm.

They have a ridiculously huge loose-leaf tea selection, and a few of us tried to get a different one each time we went. By the time I left, I'd hit thirty teas, and that's not counting the few times I went but had a duplicate.  Famously served on mismatched cups and saucers, each tea blend was delicious, and, if you didn't like the one you picked, they'd bring you another. And if you really like one, you can take a bag home! They have a large selection pre-bagged and priced for you, but they will do any that you request.

One of the specials: asparagus quiche, beetroot, and potato salad.

They've been ranked highly on the Tea Guild's top tea places, have a fantastic TripAdvisor rating, and have a Facebook page you should like immediately after reading this "P" post so you can torture yourself, as I do, with the daily specials they post on there.  

They don't take bookings, so make sure you get there early if you don't want to wait (they open at 10:30am on most days).  Also, they're closed on Mondays and Tuesdays for most of the year, but open on Monday bank holidays and during the summer they're open on Tuesdays. One more day to squeeze in a proper tea. 

Sticky date pudding with toffee sauce.

If the weather is nice, there is plenty of seating outdoors, and if it's typical English weather, there's plenty of room inside the main room, the kitchen room, or what we dubbed the "secret" room that was mostly opened on a particularly busy day.

Their sandwiches (my favorite: bacon, banana, and maple syrup!) and light lunches (favorite: croque monsieur!) are to die for, and their coronation chicken is the best I've had. 

And though you can't go wrong with a fruit scone with clotted cream and jam, the desserts--especially the specials--can't be missed.  They had a special menu for the Queen's diamond jubilee, and their gooseberry fool and lavender scones were superb. 

After a meal there, no trip to Peacocks would be complete without poking into Waterside Antiques next door for a bit. And make sure you go to Ely Cathedral and take the Octagon Tour. It's a must-do. Trust me.

So if you're in the Cambridge area, take the train up to Ely and enjoy the short walk to Peacocks.  They have a fabulous B&B now, so you can even stay there!

I keep saying it's not to be missed, though I miss it a lot--George's fabulous shirts, Patrick's elegant French accent, and Rachel's creations. It will always have a special place in my heart (and stomach). 

Q is up next, so stay tuned! 

xoxo Sarah