On a recent trip into Hornchurch, I decided to pop into Tea Island: a vintage tea room, which can easily be overlooked despite occupying a central location on the high street since 2017.
What struck me as soon as I entered was the love that has been poured into this place, with every detail – from the old-school décor to the 1960s music – carefully curated.
A giant teacup sign reads ‘I like big cups and I cannot lie’(Image: Charlotte Anderson)
Each surface is a treasure trove of quirky British-themed memorabilia and knick-knacks, including a miniature jukebox with Audrey Hepburn on the front, photos of Queen Elizabeth II and a Union Jack painting on the back wall.
My personal favourites are a teacup cut-out emblazoned with the words “I like big cups and I cannot lie” and a plant pot shaped like a pram.
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During my weekday visit, it was bustling with several birthday celebrations underway – complete with afternoon teas, lots of smiles and no technology (or malfunctioning self-service tills) in sight.
Owner Linda Edwards prides herself on treating every guest like a VIP, and it certainly shows.
As well as full afternoon teas, Tea Island offers sandwiches, ploughman’s lunches and cakes; I opted for a cream tea to satisfy my sweet tooth.
The scone was served warm and the English breakfast tea was that much better for the vintage crockery it was served in – overall, the perfect afternoon treat.
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After chatting with Linda, I noticed a colourful cabinet at the back of the cafe, full of yet more traditional tea sets, cards and photos.
When I asked about some of these items, she explained these have been given to her by customers as thank yous for making anniversaries, birthdays and even wedding receptions “special”.
If anything sums up the truly lovely atmosphere of Tea Island, it’s this.
