I stumbled on Carson’s Tea House by chance.
We’d been exploring on Ashdown Forest and had headed into Crowborough to refuel. There’s free parking off Croft Road, next to the big supermarket that we won’t name, and Carson’s is directly opposite. Happy days. They only opened in January (2024) but seemed to have hit the decks running as we were lucky to get a table.
You’re greeted with a veritable smorgasbord of different cakes and treats as you come in, along with an array of William Morris prints from the wallpaper to the crockery. For those of a certain age, I defy you not to recognise one of these prints from your youth. We managed to grab the last free table. So far so good.
Locally sourced produce
Their website describes them as wanting to reinvigorate tea house culture and also majors on locally sourced produce. A quick look at their menu instantly reveals encouraging signs. They have wines (yes, I’d gone in there for a snack but I’m easily diverted) from Mayfield, Ashdown Forest and Crowborough and beer from Polegate. Their meat is from the butcher next door and their honey is from Crowborough. Bread comes from Groombridge and ice cream from Uckfield.
What’s on the menu
They have a good menu. There is a breakfast menu served until 11 am (and until 2.30 pm on Sunday). It seems to tick all the right breakfast boxes with granola, porridge, full English and vegan options. And there’s a lunch menu which includes hot and cold sandwiches, jacket potatoes and soup of the day. My colleague opted for a beetroot, rocket and goat’s cheese sandwich which as a vegetarian was a welcome change from the normal choice of just cheddar. It came with a little side salad.
Then there is the cream tea, afternoon tea and sweet treats menu. You do need to give 24 hours notice for the afternoon tea but I tucked into the cream tea and my scones were wonderfully light and still warm! My only request would be for locally made jam. The list of cakes is divine and there was a long and comprehensive tea menu.
Will we return?
Yes, that selection of cakes is calling my name! And this was a really handy Pitts-Stop after a walk on Ashdown Forest. Service was friendly and swift, and the venue has a nice warm and welcoming feel about it. Good luck to the team at Carson’s with this new venture.
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