Joe Ellis'
English Tea Room Guide
English Tea Room Guide
Introduction
Photograph shows Joe Ellis ~ Kara-tea!
Welcome to the revised Joe Ellis' Tea Room Guide website. The site has been in existence now for twenty five years but during the past few years, for personal reasons, it has gone quieter. Many tea rooms once visited have sadly closed for one reason and another, and of course the country has changed in many ways since 2020.
Joe, my darling husband, originally began the site, as he was treated badly in a tearoom in Kent, and he made a vow that day to tell people about bad service, and as well as sing the praises of good.
Critiquing tea rooms is a natural task for Joe; since childhood, he has loved a cuppa and a scone; he has always visited a tea room over a café or pub.
My husband is a professional karate instructor, recently retired, now an ordained Reverend (since 2020) and is the Chief Executive, part time, of a national sports governing body. In his spare time, what there is of it, he loves to drive around pretty towns and villages and through the countryside enjoying the peace, and scenery, and especially the tearooms.
If he is ever asked directions to anywhere he will often use a tearoom as a point of reference; in the same way many people use a pub. Joe has no idea where pubs are, he has never drunk alcohol, but instead loves a cup of tea whenever he is out and about. Even our three year old yorkie Ivy and two year old yorkiepoo Willow enjoy their tea, thanks to Joe.
Joe is very particular about tearooms. If one is doing a good job he will continue to visit as long as it stands. He is very loyal. He often recommends his favourites to friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers he may meet on the train or at some business function.
He has a saying 'Wherever you may be, always have a pot of tea'. He quotes it all the time.
Joe and I have been together for thirty-five years, and we often visit the same tearooms year in, year out. I favour a cup of Earl Grey or Chai, or even a cheeky glass of wine; like Joe I enjoy the atmosphere of the more traditional ones. If somewhere gives bad service or there are rude or unfriendly staff; he will rarely go back.
One additional thing I should say is that Joe, like me, has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. He hates very crowded places, prefers quieter environments; and can easily be overwhelmed if too much is happening at once. He also gets very disturbed when there are constant banging noises or shouting. We visited one once, where the waiters would go through the doors into the garden and the door would slam behind them. After 20 minutes of this, he complained and all he got was a shrug of the shoulders. He has never returned. Because of his Asperger's he will normally visit a tearoom on a weekday mid-afternoon, as they tend to be quieter and he feels more comfortable. If I am with him, he will visit one at a weekend.
Joe has an affinity with beautiful antiques, pretty crockery, lace of any kind, and anything which is traditional. He also loves piano music and, forties and fifties type music (in addition to his beloved Simon and Garfunkel). He does not think a good tearoom (or restaurant for that matter) should use the self-service method. There should be table service and proper cups and saucers. He frowns upon chipped and cracked crockery. He also believes that if it is on the menu, it should be available, unless a waiter tells you otherwise before you choose. His biggest annoyance is being ignored, especially if the place is reasonably quiet.
Yes, he can be fussy, but the whole experience is what he enjoys and every customer, whatever the business, should expect good service.
He is known wherever he goes, as an 'expert' on tearooms, and we have had a whole host of letters and emails asking when he is going to visit them again.
So, due to popular demand, Joe Ellis is back... coming to a 'tearoom' near you!
Dr Sandra Beale-Ellis
10 August 2025
Joe, my darling husband, originally began the site, as he was treated badly in a tearoom in Kent, and he made a vow that day to tell people about bad service, and as well as sing the praises of good.
Critiquing tea rooms is a natural task for Joe; since childhood, he has loved a cuppa and a scone; he has always visited a tea room over a café or pub.
My husband is a professional karate instructor, recently retired, now an ordained Reverend (since 2020) and is the Chief Executive, part time, of a national sports governing body. In his spare time, what there is of it, he loves to drive around pretty towns and villages and through the countryside enjoying the peace, and scenery, and especially the tearooms.
If he is ever asked directions to anywhere he will often use a tearoom as a point of reference; in the same way many people use a pub. Joe has no idea where pubs are, he has never drunk alcohol, but instead loves a cup of tea whenever he is out and about. Even our three year old yorkie Ivy and two year old yorkiepoo Willow enjoy their tea, thanks to Joe.
Joe is very particular about tearooms. If one is doing a good job he will continue to visit as long as it stands. He is very loyal. He often recommends his favourites to friends, family, colleagues, and even strangers he may meet on the train or at some business function.
He has a saying 'Wherever you may be, always have a pot of tea'. He quotes it all the time.
Joe and I have been together for thirty-five years, and we often visit the same tearooms year in, year out. I favour a cup of Earl Grey or Chai, or even a cheeky glass of wine; like Joe I enjoy the atmosphere of the more traditional ones. If somewhere gives bad service or there are rude or unfriendly staff; he will rarely go back.
One additional thing I should say is that Joe, like me, has Asperger's Syndrome, a form of autism. He hates very crowded places, prefers quieter environments; and can easily be overwhelmed if too much is happening at once. He also gets very disturbed when there are constant banging noises or shouting. We visited one once, where the waiters would go through the doors into the garden and the door would slam behind them. After 20 minutes of this, he complained and all he got was a shrug of the shoulders. He has never returned. Because of his Asperger's he will normally visit a tearoom on a weekday mid-afternoon, as they tend to be quieter and he feels more comfortable. If I am with him, he will visit one at a weekend.
Joe has an affinity with beautiful antiques, pretty crockery, lace of any kind, and anything which is traditional. He also loves piano music and, forties and fifties type music (in addition to his beloved Simon and Garfunkel). He does not think a good tearoom (or restaurant for that matter) should use the self-service method. There should be table service and proper cups and saucers. He frowns upon chipped and cracked crockery. He also believes that if it is on the menu, it should be available, unless a waiter tells you otherwise before you choose. His biggest annoyance is being ignored, especially if the place is reasonably quiet.
Yes, he can be fussy, but the whole experience is what he enjoys and every customer, whatever the business, should expect good service.
He is known wherever he goes, as an 'expert' on tearooms, and we have had a whole host of letters and emails asking when he is going to visit them again.
So, due to popular demand, Joe Ellis is back... coming to a 'tearoom' near you!
Dr Sandra Beale-Ellis
10 August 2025
8th Dan Karate Master and a Reverend; Joe Ellis!
Contact Joe Ellis:
Email Joe via: joe.ellis@tea-room-guide.org.uk