Old Stable Tearoom (CM3 4BS)

Paper Mill Lock, North Hill, Little Baddow 
Chelmsford CM3 4BS 
http://www.papermilllock.co.uk/tea-room/

The Old Stable Tearoom is a lovely place to have a cup of tea and slice of cake, situated as it is on a grassy bank overlooking the picturesque Papermill Lock. 

We first tried to visit in January 2014, but the surrounding area had been flooded and all the roads were closed. I suspect flooding in this area is a regular occurrence, as the lock is in in the bottom of a bowl-shaped area of countryside, so a winter visit after heavy rains might not be the best idea. 

The area seems to be a popular spot with ramblers, and I suspect they’d do a brisk trade over the summer months. Even on a chilly day there were plenty of people walking along the river.

The tearooms are very simple and it does feel a bit like a cosy barn inside. There is absolutely no pretence – a reasonable selection of homely cakes laid out under plastic lids, beverages served in big mugs at the counter, with self-serve milk and cutlery. But I liked it. It’s simple, very reasonably priced and very honest.

 

There’s plenty of space to sit outside on chunky wooden benches. We were well entertained by some curious swans who came out of the water to pester a family. 

Every time a swan emerged from the water, a dog on the other side of the lock started up a racket barking at them, until one of the café staff chased the swan back into the water with a broom, only to have the whole cycle repeated again. 

My cake wasn’t of the highest quality, with slightly crystalline icing, but it was tasty nonetheless and I can hardly fault rustic home-made over bland store-bought! Ben eschewed the bulk brewed coffee in favour of a much safer peppermint tea.

So whether you drive, walk, ride or float here, stop for a cuppa and a cake and watch out for those swans!

CakeMyDayLondon Rating