Enjoy the perfect cuppa next time you are in Ipswich, Woodbridge and Felixstowe with a senior. We have listed some of our favourite spots in the area to enjoy a cup of tea.
When out and about in Ipswich, Woodbridge and Felixstowe, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, but none so much as an afternoon tea. Perfectly simple but so delicious and always a treat to be enjoyed with your loved ones.
With lots of lovely, quirky cafes, homely pubs and eateries in the well-established areas of Ipswich Woodbridge and Felixstowe, this alone is a recipe for a perfect place to take elderly relatives or friends.
Ran by Sisters, this gorgeous café, in a Grade II listed building, first opened its doors back in 2013 and has established a loyal following. The Café boasts a beautiful courtyard garden with a tranquil feel and is part of a parade of independently owned businesses including some very quirky gift and antique shops.
Applaud Café has been awarded the ‘Best coffee shop in Suffolk’ by the EADT Food & Drink Awards and offers breakfast and lunch, although we are here for the superb afternoon tea which can be adapted for vegans and includes unlimited hot drinks. The girls tell us that booking is essential and there is limited parking at the café, however, a pay and display car park is only a short walk away.
The staff are always friendly, and the café is accessible for wheelchair users. This Café is truly worth a visit, offering creative and coffee workshops, we can see why it was voted by the public as ‘Favourite café’ in Ipswich’s favourite food and drink awards.
“Such a charming little café with lovely outdoor seating. The sandwiches and cakes were so fresh. We will definitely be coming back.”
This iconic venue in Felixstowe originally opened in 1909 and has since been through many refurbishments, the most recent being in 2015. The Pavilion boasts stunning, panoramic sea views and is a fabulous place to watch the beach and the busy shipping lanes from Felixstowe and Harwich. The Pavilion has a terrace on the ground floor which offers a large alfresco dining area so you can sit out and watch the world go by.
The Spa serves freshly brewed tea, and a range of homemade cakes, pastries and savouries. The staff are friendly and welcome you as you enter the restaurant. The locals of Felixstowe agree that this is a beautiful spot to enjoy a cup of tea and is great value for money. There is ample parking with disabled spaces and wheelchair access to the Pavilion.
This is an ideal place to take an elderly guest, with lots of history surrounding the pavilion, and regular shows, situated right on the beach and close to the Felixstowe Seafront gardens, making this a really enjoyable trip out.
“My Nan and I love visiting the Spa Pavilion at Felixstowe. It’s a great location with very reasonably priced food and drink. The outdoor seating makes a great spot to sit and enjoy a cosy chat with a pot of tea and cake as she likes to reminisce about her days gone by.”
This lovely, little, long-standing café has recently been refurbished to a more modern feel. Situated right in the heart of Felixstowe, this bright and cheery café offers very high-quality home-baked products, including sandwiches, soup and cream teas, with vegetarian and gluten-free options.
If you have a sweet tooth, this is the place for you, with an array of delicious cakes as big as your hand, this is a great spot to stop and enjoy a pot of tea and your favourite slice. Scribbles has a very modern, funky feel to it with bright and retro décor. There is a piano that’s been named ‘Big Bertha’ and invites guests to sit and play a tune if they like.
The staff are really friendly and chatty, and you are made to feel very welcome here. Seating is limited but there is nothing stopping you from grabbing a hot drink and cake to takeaway and enjoy whilst sitting in the gardens nearby.
“We ordered an afternoon tea for Mother’s Day. The selection of fresh food was fantastic, and all were presented in a beautiful box with a fresh rose. This is a well-run, modern café enjoyed by guests young and old”
The Kitchen at Notcutts has just recently been refurbished and offers ample seating with even more space. Reservations are not required and the great thing about The Kitchen is that you can sit comfortably and not feel as though you are on top of each other. With wheelchair access and an outdoor terrace with patio heaters, this restaurant proves popular with our seniors as they can enjoy the wide spaces and the beautiful views across the garden centre.
The Kitchen serves freshly prepared breakfasts, lunches, drinks and snacks throughout the day, seven days a week. A favourite is the Afternoon Tea, with freshly filled sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls and scones with jam and clotted cream too! All at a very reasonable price. The staff are very friendly, and the restaurant generally has a really great, friendly, cosy feel to it.
The Kitchen is a perfect spot if you are looking to spend an afternoon out with your family or guest, with a quiet atmosphere and fresh cakes a plenty. It’s ideal as a quick pitstop, as it is close to the high street and the river, but just out of the way enough if you prefer somewhere less busy.
“I have visited this restaurant a few times since reopening, and I really enjoy the atmosphere here. The afternoon tea is delicious, and I like that it is spacious with plenty of access and seating.”
One of the top spots in Woodbridge that our Clients and Care Professionals really enjoy is The Tea Hut in Woodbridge. The Hut is open from Wednesday to Sunday and serves hot and cold drinks as well as cakes too. The Tea Hut is situated on the banks of the River Deben in Woodbridge and is situated right next to the Model boat pond where you will likely see members of the Model Boat Club sailing and participating in races.
With a well-spaced decking area and patio heaters for the cooler days, this is a great spot to stop and enjoy a pot of tea. The Staff are very friendly and offer a remarkable service and a reasonable price, with locally sourced food where possible. The Tea Hut was recently voted as one of the seven top dog-friendly cafes in Suffolk so you can feel comfortable taking the family pooch with you. Tables are limited at the hut so it is advisable to book. As well as drinks and cakes, the hut offer breakfasts and lunches too and often invite a band to come and play for visitors. Find The Tea Hut at River Wall, IP12 4BB Woodbridge
“The views from this café are just beautiful. Staff were so friendly and helpful and the food is fresh and very reasonably priced.”