Italianate Glasshouse Tea Garden

This tea garden attached to an ancient glasshouse, hidden away in a remote corner of King George VI Park in Ramsgate, is so charming and idyllic that it has a vaguely unreal quality. Combined with the suspiciously low prices (less than half the cost of a similar treat in Costa Coffee or Starbucks), the mismatched fancy china, delicious home-made cakes and the erratic opening hours ("The Tea Garden is open weekends on fine weather days" states the website ambigously) and its proximity to extremely basic refreshment huts in the park or on the cliffs that tend to be packed with sunburnt sandy types accompanied by screaming kids and barking dogs, you would be forgiven for imagining that you'd walked into some kind of magical tea garden wormhole which only opens when the planets are in exactly the correct conjunction, or something. There are home-woven lavender spindles, actual towels and knick-knacks in the lavatory cubicle. They put complimentary Nice biscuits in the saucers of our tea cups. We were en route to a booked lunch, or would have stayed for sandwiches which we saw passing by to other tables and which looked delicious. We shared a slice of perfect Victoria Sponge, and eyed up a tempting carrot cake. Certainly it was closed when we've tried to go in on a previous visit, leaving us pressing our noses sadly up against the bars, and our friends who live locally assure us the glasshouse is open MORE often but that the tea garden is not always operational, leaving them to wander sadly through the glasshouse wishing for cake and tea. You might want to try telephoning in advance to avoid disappointment, or if you feel lucky, head in its direction on a sunny weekend, cross your fingers, click your heels together and wish. Good luck!

Amazing, friendly staff and loads of DELICIOUS food included in the afternoon tea. Everyone having a cream tea was jealous! Can't wait to go back

Beautiful relaxing place for afternoon tea and cake. Not open every day but it worth the wait.

Check website for when open. A pleasant C19th walled garden offering afternoon tea etc at tables around the garden. The impressive curved glasshouse made up of small panes of scalloped glass is set against the back of the house. Sit and appreciate the design and engineering. Enjoyed setting, food and service.

We have lived in the area for three years and today was our first visit to this wonderful greenhouse tea room. It was a pleasure to sit and enjoy afternoon tea on such a lovely day. Dogs are allow on a lead which is a bonus so many thanks to Phil and Janice for a lovely visit.