The Old Thatch Teashop, Shanklin, Isle of Wight

What about the Old Thatch Teashop in Shanklin, Isle of Wight doesn't make it the perfect cream tea experience?! The thatched building from the 1600s?

The exerior of the Old Thatch Teashop, Shanklin, Isle of Wight

The exquisite decor with a choice of a blue room, pink room, green room or gardens?

The Pink Room

The sight of the homemade cakes on display as you walk in the door? (The above picture does NOT do justice to the size of those babies, the cakes were huge!) Frankly, all of these would do.

I had long been wanting to go to this delightful tearoom as I'd walked past on many a holiday of recent years but somehow never quite got round to it. I'd stuck my nose against the windows and peered inside, sighed wistfully at the pretty location while driving past and even managed to almost kid myself that I could fit in a 'cream tea pudding' after lunch at the Crab pub a few doors down. So I was a little concerned that anticipation might have built too high and inevitable disappointment would follow. I needn't have worried. Inside was so pretty I felt instantly at home, it was just the perfect blend of chintzy but cute. Modern isn't really a word that will ever spring to mind in the Old Thatch Teashop and it's all the better for it.

We sat in the corner of the pink room surrounded by china teapots and cushions and opted for two plain scone cream teas.

The Corner of the Pink Room

It came delicately arranged, two generous sized scones, a dish of fresh clotted cream and some strawberry Bonne Maman jam. Oh, and of course, a massive pot of tea that as ever I struggled to muster the strength to pour. A quick glance into the kitchen area told me that this was likely to be Twinnings tea and it was typically diffcult to get a good colour from it but it didn't matter the moment you tasted it.

The Goodies

Onto the scones, they were simply some of the nicest that I've had. They were just moist enough to be very slightly chewy and were not in the slightest bit crumbly (so no embarrasing disasters with them falling apart on me, jam, cream and all.) They were warm and soft as they were served and didn't get any less delicious as they cooled. They were pretty much perfections itself.

If I were to add petty criticisms I'd say there wasn't enough clotted cream for my tastes - I ran out and had to use it very sparingly at the end. Same went for the small pot of jam. Maybe I'm just greedy though! The service was very efficient but I felt it lacked a little warmth. But these are minor quibbles. Overall, I'd say that was the perfect cream tea experience and well worth travelling to visit if you are in the Isle of Wight. Don't just peer in the window wistfully - just do it!