The Old School House — Restaurant in England

STOP THE PRESS!! This is actually Dorset's best cream tea, and I am not kidding. Here's the story and then I'll tell you why this place wins.

We have come on our annual 'wet week in a seaside town' and in doing so our yearly search for an amazing cream tea/establishment begins. We have tried the proclaimed "best cream tea in Dorset" and that was almost the exact opposite. However, the Old School House actually offers an amazing cream tea (and a fully wicked little jacket spud as well 🤌).

Picture this, it's raining, no, it's absolutely tipping it down, you are in a group of three (made up of myself, my pregnant fiancé and her elderly mother, don't worry she's an absolute legend unlike most mother in laws.)

We came in and were greeted by what I can only describe as an archangel of a woman, so kind and friendly. She let us sit wherever was free.

Shortly after, 3 menus arrived and a bonus "cake menu" accompanied those.

We ordered 1 jacket potato for my fussy fiancé whom had chucked up all her breakfast in our caravan, the poor mare.

We also ordered 3 classic cream teas. These came with choices no less. Coffee or tea and plain or fruit scones. Now I'm a bit of an overthinker and commitment scares me. However I chose fruit scones, my fiancé and Jude (mother in law) chose plain. Jude asked for a pot of tea, I opted for a latte (hipster I know) and my fiancé (who doesn't drink hot drinks other than drinking chocolate) asked if she could have a cold drink, they obliged and she had a Victorian lemonade. Very niiiiice.

The nicely dressed man (this is his 1st mention, he looked like a Steve) came with our food and drinks very swiftly and it was all on lovely crockery. Ample clotted cream and beautiful looking jam were present and for the spud, loads of lovely fresh and local cheese (grated of course, one can assume by the angelic lady) a fresh salad and honey mustard dressing in a small but ample jug, it was tons of dressing and yet the tiny jug looked like it belonged in a Sylvanian family home. 😎

It was quiet, clean and the hosts were hospitable, they joined us in conversation as I recalled our hideous trip earlier in the week for a custard flavoured scone 🤦‍♂️and a frothless latte. I commended them for their exceptional food and cracking service, I told them how amazing it was to get a proper latte and how nice to see so much froth as well. The price for all of the above was standard despite our special requests. I'd have happily paid extra. They told me how I can get their delicious jam and they gave us tips for local haunts.

Thank you Old School House for your amazing care, consideration and hospitality. We will be back if ever in Weymouth again.

Again, clean, great hosts, interesting building, easy to park, great food and drinks and reasonably priced. A million thanks, archangel Lady and "Steve" the well dressed man. ☺️🥳 It gets my vote. ❤️

P.s I sincerely hope the wet lady gets...

Had a long wait to place our order despite only two other tables being occupied indoors. It became clear that the reason why there was a delay was because there were some people actually sat outside (in sunshine!) which seemed to cause a small commotion with staff.

After about a 15 minute wait we tried to place our order but was asked to wait as they were busy with a small party! How difficult is it to actually take someone's order??? At this point we were ready to leave - it was only the sight of a rather delicious looking lemon cake that was holding me back!

A little more time ticked by, then..... we ordered - "two hot chocolates and a slice of lemon cake to share please".

The lemon cake was certainly worth waiting 20 minutes or so for, but the hot chocolate - what can I say?!

I won't say I'm a connoisseur with hot chocolate but I do like it to taste at least chocolaty. If you blindfolded me and asked me what I was drinking I would have said "a warm cup of milk" there was no flavour of chocolate at all. I told the waitress who kind of looked and sounded a bit put out but nevertheless provided us both with another batch. These were exactly the same as the previous - what a disappointment. I refused to drink it and once again informed the waitress of the result. They kindly waived the charge but didn't look too interested in trying to achieve a method for providing a hot chocolate that would taste chocolaty!!

I shall put their attitude down to the busy status on the day rather than their "general" attitude. But I don't think I will return to find out if service will be different on...

After three years we came back and were so happy to find you again: world best and for me award winning cream tea, the biscuits served with your tea beam me up in heaven und such a lovely team 🥰

I can' recommend you enough and we will be happy to see you again during our next stay in Dorset 🇬🇧😘

A lovely Tea Room, under new ownership since this year.

We know it since years and the new owners do also a wonderful job: owners and stuff are very friendly, garden and also inside are perfect to sit. The served food is very good (lunches like baguette, sandwiches, jackets, quiches and soup as well as Cream Teas, large afternoon teas and homebaked cakes. The shortbread served together with tea or coffee is a dream. You can also buy them to take them home...