It is a truth universally acknowledged that every garden event needs a good tea tent! Somewhere friendly, pretty, where you can sit in comfort and enjoy a superlative cream tea and delicious home made cakes with a well brewed cuppa. Well, this year we welcome Dots Teas to Powderham Castle and looking at the pictures of her cakes and the pretty flowers to decorate the tables we think we are on to a winner. Dotty King is the proud owner of Dot~Teas and bakes cakes for any occasion when there is a need for something lovely. Established five years ago Dotty takes her cake stall to vintage events, National Trust Events, County Shows, Steam Fairs and has even featured on The Hotel Inspector.

Working with local suppliers and with sustainably sourced ingredients Dotty will be bringing along a range of popular cakes, brownies, cream teas, including gluten free and vegan bakes.

“I am very, very proud to be hosting the Tea Tent at Toby’s Garden Festival this year,” says Dot, “and I’m looking forward to offering visitors the very best cakes, bakes and cream teas. Plus we are offering freshly baked cheese scone teas for those who fancy something more savoury. SW tea and coffee suppliers Miles Teas will be offering their deliciously blended teas and coffees ensuring the very best teatime experience.”

The garden theme continues inside the tea tent with prettiest flowers decorating tables from fabulous Devon florist Katherine Milligan of Millifleur Florists and for five lucky prize winners the opportunity to enjoy a special tea served on vintage flowery china from Martha and Maud Vintage China Hire.

“It is a wonderful opportunity to help Toby celebrate the garden festival’s fifth birthday at beautiful Powderham Castle and I look forward to meeting lots of keen gardeners who also like cake!”

Photographs by Charlotte Dart