Welcome
Welcome to Bessie’s Tea Parlour, our little touch of nostalgia in the beautiful seaside town of Broadstairs. We are so pleased you have found us! Do pop by for some delicious tea in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It’s a great place to catch up with friends for a natter or perhaps celebrate a special occasion with all the loveliness of an afternoon tea served on pretty vintage china. If you would like to learn or share a new skill or perhaps find that little vintage something for your home that you didn’t know you needed this could just be the place for you! Whatever your reason for coming to see us, we will do our very best to make each visit memorable with a little touch of nostalgia.
Our homemade food and drinks contain local ingredients where possible, with some foraged throughout the seasons from our own smallholding near Wingham. Freshly made sandwiches, savouries and a selection cakes are served throughout the day with with teas blended in Kent, fresh ground coffees, delicious hot chocolate or chilled soft and alcoholic drinks at the ready.
At the Tea Parlour we host a range of community happenings and offer private tea parties for both adults and children – champagne teas, baby showers, hen parties, vintage tea and photo shoots, children’s birthdays, Throughout the year, bookings are also taken for a number of fabulous events such as foraging forays, tea tasting or a spot of baking and making.
History
Since 2012, I have been running a little vintage caravan business ‘Bessie the Caravan’, popping up to serve afternoon teas, homemade cakes and drinks all over the UK for events, weddings and private parties. So frequently asked if I have a permanent base for people to come and visit, I decided it was time to expand the Bessie business and open a tea parlour in the lovely seaside town of Broadstairs.
43-45 Albion Street have been in our family now for nearly 50 years and the building itself dates back to the 1800’s. Over that time, 43 has always been a restaurant and continues to this day to be run by our family as Aqua 43, serving fabulous fish and chips and other traditional British food. 45 has had a more varied existence, being home to a number of retail businesses over time. However, for many years it served as the residents dining room when it was previously know as The Clifton Hotel and Restaurant and families would come and stay to enjoy the beautiful sandy bays in Broadstairs for their summer holidays. The original kitchen in the cellar has been reinstated, although I have fond memories of it as a groovy party room for hotel residents in the 1970’s.