Marshland Hall & Tea Room in King's Lynn and West Norfolk

We booked for the New Year's Eve buffet (a party of 4) to celebrate my birthday. Before booking and paying the total bill in advance, I checked that there would be vegetarian choices and that we could bring our 2 well behaved dogs with us. I was also told that we could bring our own bottle of wine. I asked if we could have a corner table so that we could be out of the way with the dogs. When we arrived at 1.55pm for the 2pm sitting the 'Closed' sign was on the door. After a couple of minutes we opened the door and asked if we may come in and the reply was an abrupt "Have you booked?" No hello any or other welcome. We stood waiting to be shown to our table then overheard a staff member saying to another customer "Sit where you like". We chose a table in the corner which had 5 chairs around it, at which point a staff member said "We are fully booked so if you sit there you will have 2 other people sitting with you. (Strange as there were only 5 chairs). I then asked her where we should sit and was told on a table for 4. As we were about to sit at a table for 4 we were told that we couldn't sit there as they were expecting a party of 10 and the lady proceeded to push the table we were going to sit at, up against another table. I find it incredible that there was a booking for a party of 10, yet no table had been prepared for them. We then sat at the only other table for 4, which was very close to the buffet table, and not really ideal. A lady offered us drinks but we said that we had a bottle of wine and 4 glasses were brought to the table. By 2.10pm nothing had been said, so one of our party asked if we could help ourselves to food and were told "Yes". None of the plates were labelled "V" so it was impossible to tell what was vegetarian, and I had to ask. I was appalled to discover that the vegetarian items were on the same plates mixed up with meat and fish items. This really is unacceptable and makes me wonder about the standards applied in the kitchen regards to cross contamintion of utensils and preparation surfaces. The vegetarian quiche was on the same plate and touching quiche containing bacon, egg and cheese sandwiches had ham ones piled on top of them, and egg vol-u-vents were on the same plate as fish ones. People were using the same tongs to pick up meat and then cheese. Our table was so close to the buffet table that at one point we actually had a ladies bottom resting on our table. As I was eating a piece of quiche my friend stopped me to point out that there was a hair in it. She took the piece of quiche to a member of staff who actually laughed and took it from her. There was no apology whatsoever. Although fully booked, the table for 5 where we wanted to sit remained unoccupied, as did another table by the window which would have been far more comfortable for us. As there was no table service, and the food was already prepared the staff were sitting/standing around. Yet, there was no interaction at all. No-one came to the table to ask if everything was ok, no Happy New Year, no friendly chat whatsoever. It gave the impression that as they had received their money up front that was their job done. I can honestly say I have never felt so unwelcome in a local tea room before. The previous owners always had a smile and a warm welcome. I believe it is fair to give the management the opportunity to respond, so I sent a private message to Petals to express my disappointment. Unfortunately I did not receive the courtesy of an acknowledgment or reply. Needless to say I would not return, but hope that my comments regarding cross contamination will be taken note of for the sake of other vegetarian/vegan customers.

Exellent all round cafe. Had breakfast and was very pleased. Cooked to perfection and good portion sizes will definitely be back.

We ordered an all day breakfast, it was delicious and I will definitely recommend this cafe for people visiting the area

We were recommended here by our Airbnb host and it did not disappoint. Headline: Food was amazing. We had ‘Mega breakfasts’ which were very generous and the hand made sausages were sublime. Price point was spot on for a beach café. It was absolutely heaving when we visited, the secret is out! But we just about managed to find a table and enjoy our wonderful meals. 4* because it is possibly TOO dog friendly. One table of four was taken up by a lady with two dogs (who had a chair each) as well as a buggy for the dogs. The lady didn’t have an order (only the dogs) but this party left a family eating off plates while standing up. Also the Wi-Fi was out of service,

Very welcoming staff, beer good and food excellent. Would highly recommend the carvery and for desert the crumble with custard and ice cream