General Chat

We have just been out and had an afternoon tea, the one with the cake stand and everything. It is not the first and neither will it be the last I would think.

It was the usual fare, round of sandwiches, fruit scones with cream and jam and some cake and it was very good but I always feel that the meal is a bit unbalanced by too much cake and not enough savoury.

Next time I might ask if I can have a cheese scone instead of the fruit one. Really, I would rather have an extra round of sandwiches rather than one of the sweet items but I suppose that would stop it being an afternoon tea.

well you want to try the London Dorchester teas :-D.

You would want more than a 6 th helping of sandwiches to even feel a little satisfied and the cake/s are of stamp size so you wouldnt feel overly sweetened by them...... :-D :-D.
they are served nicely though.

Don't think I do then!

Curiously where I live in Canada we have an English lady who serves traditional English afternoon tea. It's lovely and one has to make reservations beforehand. However we usually ask for more sandwiches and less of the sweet stuff. I thought it was because we Canadians just don't appreciate the true English afternoon tea but it seems that some of you Brits feel the same way.

I haven't been out for proper afternoon tea for ages, but when OH and I went to a little Kentish village, he chose the cheese scone option and it looked delicious.

The pretty embroidered and lace tablecloths and bone china teacups just added to the pleasant atmosphere of a bygone era.

Afternoon tea in lovely country houses was a great pleasure and hobby for me and other half until last year when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Now I can't indulge too often.

Up here in the north-east all of the establishments are happy to put anything you can't eat on the day into a cake box to take home with you, so we usually do this with some of the cakes.

For anyone interested, some of the best we've had are at:-

Swinton Park, Masham
Rockcliffe Hall, nr. Darlington
The Black Swan, Helmsley
Wynyard Hall, Wynyard.

There is also a very small 1940's themed cafe in Stockton who do "Afternoon tea in a teacup", which is a lovely alternative to just tea and scone. They bring you a cup of tea or coffee, and then bring a tea plate which has a china teacup on it which holds 2 finger sandwiches, about 4 crisps, and a bit of lettuce, cucumber and tomato. Then on the side of the plate is a very small (one mouthful) cheese scone, same size fruit scone with jam and cream and a very small fairy cake with butter icing. It is just enough to make it feel like you have had a treat and is only £4.50p.

Enjoy!

Kath. x

I can recommend another two in the North East, Kathleen.

Lumley Castle

Whitworth Hall

Incidentally, Lumley Castle catered admirably for one gluten-free afternoon tea once.

They sprouting up all over Middlesbrough
Though I found Acklam Hall to the best up to now x :-D :-D

Oh, that would suit me, Joy, I was born in Acklam.

Thanks JoyLouise.

I've been to Lumley Castle for a meal but not Afternoon Tea. I will have to try Whitworth Hall sometime.

I haven't tried Acklam Hall either JoyBoroAngel - another one to try. Need to lose a bit more weight first before I can really enjoy a treat!

Kath. x

Oh stop it will you!

I am right down here on the south coast and you are discussing all these places that I now want to visit but that are up the other end of the country.

Just make the journey Sharron. We are all friendly up here and there are good places to eat everywhere.

Please don't believe the "Grim up north" brigade, lol.

Kath. x

It's a long way to go for a cup of tea though and I haven't done all the places down here yet.

Kathleen, for a special birthday a few years ago, my OH and I stayed the night in Lumley Castle - four-poster and the bathroom through the wardrobe. It was very nice, breakfast too, but I was a little disappointed with the dinner.

We (including grandchildren) have always enjoyed afternoon tea at the castle.

Many moons ago we did the Elizabethan Banquet for a leaving 'do'. It was so-so then but I know it's improved. the food was fine but the staff left a bit to be desired all those years ago.

It's lovely at Xmastime - grandchildren love the tree.

Well worth a visit.

Years ago we went to Lumley castle for a Tudor night
We had to eat our 14 courses off the table no plates
and just a dagger as an eating aid

it was so funny we enjoyed every moment :-D :-D

In the late sixties/early seventies, my husband was a student at Durham University, and for one year, his hall of residence was Lumley Castle!

His lasting memory is of how drafty the place was, hope it has changed a bit considering the prices they charge!

Sue

They still use Durham Castle for University College student accommodation. In the summer vacations they let the rooms in the Castle to holidaymakers - and it's still open for tours.

We went to a wedding there many years ago.

Has anyone tried M and S afternoon teas?

If you ever get down to Havant in Hampshire you should try this one . ;-)
http://19fourteashavant.co.uk
Ann

Devon Cream Tea - scrumptious.