We enjoyed our trip to the English Rose Tea Room AFTER a party of two mothers and their four young daughters left. The children were allowed to run and play throughout the restaurant. They destroyed the atmosphere that we had expected. Neither the parents nor the restaurant staff ever said a single word to these out of control moppets. The children used the hat room as their play pen.
We also questioned the idea of how "healthy" it is to allow the public to share hats - the quickest way I know to spread lice!
Our lunch was ordinary but not great and the staff is incredibly slow. The noise is the room was deafening.
I did love the décor and the tea ( passion fruit) was fabulous. We loved the gift shop and bought a teapot and a few teas and commemoratives for the royal baby. A pleasant afternoon but a place that could make some small changes for the better.