Birch Gallery & Tea Room

Tucked away in the countryside between Colchester and Tiptree, the Birch Gallery & Team Room is worth seeking out if you’re after a cuppa and a slice of cake with some artwork on the side!

We popped in today halfway through a cycle ride, unfortunately too close to our previous refreshment break to justify having another drink. However, we were impressed by the gallery and tea room – a bright, airy place with some outside seating, plenty of art by John Harrison on the wall, and the opportunity to look into his artist’s studio, to see work in progress!

There’s artwork of all sizes to suit all pockets, with landscapes and seascapes (some lovely ones of Wivenhoe), and a series of London which took our fancy. The view from the South Bank over the Millennium Bridge towards St. Paul’s is one of our favourite views, and we had enough money (only £1.50!) and space in our rucksack for a postcard version of his painting #51. The huge original, which would look lovely on our living room wall, will have to wait for another day!

You can find out more about the gallery (open Wed-Sundays) at their website.