The first afternoon tea party of the year was held in the marquee in the Secret Garden at Tiptree last Friday when guests enjoyed a Mad Hatter’s tea party themed event.

“Our guests tumbled down the rabbit hole and joined us for a wonderfully whimsical Mad Hatter’s Afternoon Tea in the enchanting Tiptree Marquee on Friday!" Said Lauren Spindler one of the organisers from the tea room team, “everyone enjoyed a delicious spread where the ordinary was turned delightfully topsy-turvy.”

“Alongside the tea, there were garden games like classic croquet, a fairy hunt for the children with golden Tiptree coins as prizes and lots of fun activities. We had 42 guests in total, many of whom came dressed for the occasion. Steve brought the Mad Hatter to life, Ashleigh and Corrine played the White Rabbit, and Danielle was our Alice.”

To add to the fun, each table was set with quirky Mad Hatter riddles for guests to puzzle over while they sipped their tea an extra dash of nonsense and charm! Guests also enjoyed a playful photo wall and prop station for anyone feeling particularly mad! The afternoon tea featured a selection of freshly made finger sandwiches, followed by Danielle’s warm, freshly baked mini egg scones served with clotted cream and Tiptree preserves; followed by her homemade cakes and Corrine’s sugar craft mushrooms and playing cards.

The children had an amazing time, especially playing outside in the Secret Garden.