The Afternoon Tea tradition is as British in essence as Shakespeare, Hardy and Harry Potter. Or fish-and-chips and the steak-and-kidney pie. It’s the sort of thing that evokes a quintessentially British aura. Now these posh hotels will have you longing for an impromptu holiday, with their quirky afternoon teas and the promise of the gentle English summer
The year 2016 is England’s time to celebrate the year of the garden and the 300th anniversary of Capability Brown—18th century English landscape architect, famous for being ‘England’ greatest gardener’. Some of the most ultra-luxe hotels from the Hallmark Group in England are celebrating this occasion with the introduction of delightful, quirky afternoon teas with innovative themes. You might just want to plan a visit to the UK this summer.
Shakespeare inspired Countess Afternoon Tea at The Welcombe
One of the greatest appeals of The Welcombe, part of the Hallmark group of hotels, is its Shakespearean connections and proximity to Stratford Upon Avon, which celebrates the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death this year. So, in a move that commemorates the Bard and the year of the garden together, the hotel has come up with the Countess Afternoon Tea that derives its inspiration from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The indulgent tea features a selection of luxury finger sandwiches & open rolls, homemade scones with the hotel’s finest jam & clotted cream, delicate afternoon tea pastries, petit fours & of course, macaroon. Add to that endless leaf tea or filter coffee and a glass & top up of chilled prosecco and you have a blissful combination. We’re already having visions of a dainty paradise.
The Welcombe Countess Afternoon Tea is priced at £32.50. Bookings can be made at welcombe.res@hallmarkhotels.co.uk
The Welcombe Summer Afternoon Gin Tea
The Welcombe has another tea-option for the summer, with the launch of its Summer Afternoon Gin Tea. The tea will be a quirky twist on the English classic, swapping the traditional glass of high tea fizz for a refreshing Hendricks gin and tonic, presented in a china tea pot over ice and lemon, alongside luxury finger sandwiches, miniature open rolls, freshly baked scones, the hotel’s finest jam, clotted cream, delicate pastries, petit fours, and a macaroon, as well as the obligatory endless loose leaf tea of your choice (or coffee). Served overlooking the hotel’s 150 acres of stunning landscaped gardens gardens, fountains and water features, the grounds provide the perfect backdrop against which to enjoy this quintessentially English tradition.
As for the price, you can savour the Summer Afternoon Tea at £35.00, and you can also opt for the entire experience of an overnight stay with breakfast at The Welcombe, through the Luxury Countryside Escape priced upward of £145.00.
Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea at the Hallmark Hull
You just can’t think of tea without invoking the strangely fantastic tea party of the March Hare and the Mad Hatter that Alice attended. With the new Alice Through The Looking Glass film refreshing Lewis Carroll’s creations, the Hallmark Hull is celebrating the opening of its picturesque outdoor dining terrace this summer by launching the quirky Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea. Savour a selection of assorted finger sandwiches and wraps including Ham & Pickle, Cucumber & Cream Cheese, Cheese & Chutney & Egg Mayo & Rocket, freshly baked Scones and Strawberry Jam, Lemon Curd & Devonshire clotted cream, Home Made Mushroom meringues, Savoury Scotch Egg and Boiled Egg/Tomato Toadstool. There’s even an ‘Eat Me’ popping candy cupcake and ‘Drink Me’ strawberry syrup to transport you right back to Wonderland— complete with a pot of tea or coffee. Those looking to upgrade the experience can add a touch of bubbles and opt for the Mad Hatter High Tea. The Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea is priced at £17.50 while the Mad Hatter High Tea can be had for £22.50.
Afternoon Tea by the Sea at Hallmark Bournemouth Carlton
What’s better than afternoon tea in a landscaped garden? Afternoon tea with a seaside view overlooking the beautiful seascapes of Bournemouth. Located just a short cliff lift from the beach and overlooking the stunning vistas of the East Cliff, the Afternoon Tea by the Sea at Bournemouth Carlton consists of seaside favourites such as candy floss, cola cubes and marshmallows, accompanied by sandwiches, homemade scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream – all paired with a pot of tea or coffee and a delicious glass of prosecco, glass of Pimms or house Champagne. The Afternoon tea by the Sea comes served with a glass of prosecco at £19.50 per person. You could opt to go with a glass of house Champagne, at £22.00 per person, or a glass of Pimms No 1 at £18.50 per person
Countryside Royal Tea at Flitwick Manor
We recently informed you about the delightful Afternoon tea on offer at Flitwick Manor, a charming countryside manor, which is boutique in size. The Manor features 18 individually designed bedrooms that boast four poster beds, with a picturesque outdoor dining terrace, and croquet lawn for a classic English afternoon, straight out of a Lewis Carroll storybook. The hotel’s Royal Afternoon Tea, fit for a Lord or Lady of the Manor, comes complete with glass of champagne, luxury finger sandwiches, freshly baked miniature pastries and scones, and endless loose leaf tea or coffee. Flitwick Manor Royal Afternoon Tea comes at £29.50 and includes glass of Champagne too.
