Book Christmas Afternoon Tea around the UK now!
26th October 2009
Last week we brought you the best of The Tea Guild member's afternoon tea offerings in the capital. Now the rest of the UK takes it's turn...
Afternoon Tea is THE perfect opportunity to reflect and relax during the busiest time of the year. Putting afternoon tea with your friends, family or colleagues in the diary now will not only give you a wonderfully Christmassy experience to enjoy in December but booking now means you won't miss out on a table! The Tea Guild's top members have reported that business booms during December, with reports of queueing crowds blocking pavements to ensure they get a seat at their favourite tea place and tourists in tears when they're told there aren't any free tables! To avoid extra stress during the festive season book one of these Tea Guild members now!
To find out which other Tea Guild members are offering special Christmas Afternoon Teas click onto the Tea Guild's pages here for all our member's details. And keep checking back daily! Over the coming weeks we'll be updating details of all our member's Christmas tea news!
The Bridge Tea Rooms, Wiltshire
Taking tea at The Tea Guild's winner of Top Tea Place 2009 is special at any time of the year, but come November 26th The Bridge Tea Room transforms itself into a Victorian Christmas wonderland. As owner Roy Hayward revealed to Tea.co.uk, "the place really comes into it's own with garlands, traditional Christmas trimmings and a background of atmospheric classical carols." According to Roy it's an experience you wouldn't want to miss and is available until January 4th 2010. The special Victorian Christmas afternoon tea, which is served on a decorated three-tiered caked stand, will include a round of sandwiches of your choice; a slice of traditional Christmas cake; a warm mince pie topped with Dorset clotted cream - all washed down with a pot of tea. As you'd expect from the UK's Top Tea Place, The Bridge really know their brews... teas on the menu include smoky Russian Caravan, delicately-flavoured Superior Fancy Formosa Oolong and orange blossom-scented Empress of Peking. Fit for royalty, indeed!
24a Bridge Street, Bradford-on-Avon, Wiltshire BA15 1BY / 01225 865 537 / www.thebridgebradford.co.uk
Bingham, Surrey
The boutique Bingham hotel offers an incredibly elegant venue for afternoon tea - perfect for get-togethers with your best friends over the festive season. For Christmas 2009 executive chef Shay Cooper has devised a delectable menu of afternoon tea treats. Sandwiches include spiced baked gammon and wholegrain mustard; roast turkey and sage stuffing; Colston Bassett Stilton and walnut mayonnaise; and dill cured organic salmon. Scones come with cranberry jam, citrus clotted cream and mandarin marmalade while the obligatory selection of cakes and pastries may include an egg custard tart; chestnut and chocolate truffle cake; gingerbread; and spiced tart panettone. The teas on Bingham's menu include delicious blends of Assam breakfast, Jungpana darjeeling, jasmine gold and Moroccan mint and you can always toast the season with a glass of something bubbly too... Available from December 1st throughout the month.
Bingham, 61 - 63 Petersham Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6UT / 020 8940 0902 / www.thebingham.co.uk
Tiny Tim’s Tearoom, Kent
As one of the newest members of The Tea Guild, Tiny Tim's is already gearing up for Christmas. "We're already taking bookings for our special Christmas Afternoon Tea event on 20th December!" revealed owner Jo Dench-Owens. All the cakes and pastries available at Tiny Tim's are homemade on the premises every morning with the festive additions of Christmas cakes, mince pies and chocolate logs appearing on the Christmas menu. The tea room is always packed over the festive period and last year the queues of people blocked the road in their quest to get a seat in one of Canterbury's oldest and most historic buildings!
On 20th December the tea rooms will be offering two special set afternoon teas; a Christmas afternoon tea and a Gingerbread tea - both include a pot of Kenya tea, a glass of mulled wine, a selection of sandwiches, scones with jam and clotted cream and miniature festive cakes and pastries. Carollers and a live pianist will be on hand to entertain the hungry hordes.
34 St Margaret's Street, Canterbury, Kent CT1 2TG / 01227 450 793 / www.tinytimstearoom.co.uk/
Peacocks, Cambridgeshire
"Christmas always seems to creep up on us and there’s so much to be made ready at home and at work," says George Peacock, owner of the Award of Excellence-winning Peacocks tea room. "You need an occasional break from the hectic activity," he continues, "and what better way than a cosy afternoon tea to give you the chance to relax and recharge your batteries?" We have to say, we can't think of anything we'd like more, particularly now we've had a sneaky preview of Peacock's festive menu of treats available from 25th November until December 21st...
The Christmas Full Monty afternoon tea is a seasonal twist on Peacock's classic set tea and includes finger sandwiches filled with roast turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce; Norfolk ham and mayonnaise; and smoked salmon while scones home-made by co-owner Rachel Lemkov are served with morello cherry and vintage port jam and clotted cream. Mince pies come daubed with brandy butter and a pot of Christmas Spiced tea (Peacock's secret blend of orange, ginger, cinnamon and vanilla) completes the feast.
As true tassophiles, Peacocks lay claim to serving teas from every continent on the planet with blends from Australasia, the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. No wonder they're previous winners of The Tea Guild's Top Place Tea award!
65 Waterside, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB7 4AU / 01353 661100 / www.peacockstearoom.co.uk
Bettys, Yorkshire
Bettys' six branches across Yorkshire all offer cosy respite from the manic Christmas shopping, planning and decorating that engulf us at this time of the year. But two of the tea-time institutions' branches are particularly crazy for Christmas this year... A special Christmas afternoon tea will be served in the Imperial Room at Bettys' Harrogate branch and the Belmont Room at Bettys in York.
The Imperial room is a glorious space with opulently restored 1920s plasterwork which adds to the room's grand atmosphere, while the Belmont Room is named after Betty's founder, Frank Belmont. After sailing on the Queen Mary's maiden voyage in 1936 Belmont was so impressed with the art deco design of the ship, he commissioned the designers to recreate their signature work on Bettys York's first floor. The venue is still as sumptuous and stunning today as when it was first decorated.
Both branches are consistent winners of The Tea Guild's prestigious Award of Excellence and, as such, offer an exhaustive range of teas. Guests can take their pick from the exclusive Ceylon blue sapphire, rare good luck green tea and refined Earl Grey blends but over the festive season Spiced Christmas tea and tisanes will be available along with seasonal sandwiches (to include smoked salmon, ham, smoked chicken and cranberry) and sweet treats such as stollen and mince pies with brandy clotted cream. Mmmmm.
June Wood, General Manager at Bettys Harrogate revealed to Tea.co.uk, “afternoon tea at Bettys is very popular during December with many customers enjoying a chance to relax and treat themselves as a break from their busy Christmas shopping outings. We also welcome lots of families and friends getting together over the festive season as afternoon tea is popular with all age groups. It makes an afternoon with loved ones into a special occasion.”
During December, until Christmas Day, Christmas afternoon tea will be available at the Imperial Room at Bettys Harrogate on Saturdays and Sundays and the Belmont Room in York on Sundays. On New Year's Eve, bookable tea will be available from 1 - 4pm in the Harrogate Imperial Room.
The Imperial Room, 1 Parliament Street, Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG1 2QU / 01423 814 070 / www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk
The Belmont Room, 6-8 St Helen's Square, York, North Yorkshire YO1 8QP / 01904 659142 / www.bettysandtaylors.co.uk
The Exchange at the Sheraton, Edinburgh
Turkey, chestnut stuffing and cranberry. It's not the traditional Christmas dinner but one of the tasty fillings of The Sheraton in Edinburgh's Festive afternoon tea! Available throughout December the set tea will also include winter spice cranberry scones, gingerbread, stollen and mince pies. Teas on the menu include the classic English breakfast, Earl Grey and 2nd flush Darjeeling. All are served with a clever timer so guests know exactly when the brew is ready to be enjoyed.
A stones' throw from Edinburgh castle, situated in the heart of Edinburgh's shopping district, The Sheraton's Exchange Bar and Lounge is the ultimate venue to soothe shopping stresses. Kieran Quinn, Director of Food & Beverage at the hotel agrees, "With the central location of the hotel, we find that Christmas shoppers like to come in from the cold when they are all shopped out and treat themselves to some festive fare. Our warming and indulgent Festive Afternoon Tea is an ideal way to get into the spirit of the Christmas season.”
The Exchange, Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, 1 Festival Square, Edinburgh EH3 8AN / 0131 221 6422 / www.sheratonedinburgh.co.uk
Willow Tea Rooms, Glasgow
With it's illustrious artistic background (the tea rooms we originally designed by Glasgow's most famous architect, Charles Rennie Mackintosh, in 1904) both branches of the Willow Tea Rooms offer a refined environment in which to take afternoon tea. Between November 30th through 'til New Year's Eve the tea rooms are offering non-alcoholic mulled wine in addition to their range of teas along with scones served with Drambuie cream, mince pies, fruit cake and shortbread.
Anne Mulhern, owner of the Willow Tea Rooms commented that, “Visitors to the Willow Tea Rooms have the opportunity all year round to see the magic of Mackintosh’s designs and experience taking tea in the splendour of a bygone era. However, during the festive season this becomes even more special. The fabulous ambience of the tea rooms, combined with the chance to spend time with friends and loved ones, (means we can) enjoy a bit of luxury during what is traditionally a busy period for us all”.
97 Buchanan Street, Glasgow, G1 3HF / 217 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3EX / 0141 2045242 / www.willowtearooms.co.uk
By Jove! Tearooms, Cambridgeshire
Even the most hardened modernists can't fail to fall into a nostalgic mode at Christmas and By Jove's! quirky British-inspired decor positively encourages it! As owner Tania Baker admits, "Christmas is such a special time of the year and at By Jove! it's made even more special by surroundings that bring back childhood memories of times gone by."
Visitors should make room for the three-tiered Carol Singer's tea. A choice of scrumptious sandwiches (turkey and chestnut stuffing with cranberry and port chutney; smoked Scottish salmon with cream cheese; Welsh Y Fenni cheese with mixed fruit and sherry chutney; and cucumber and fine English butter with cracked black pepper) will be followed by freshly baked scones with mulled wine soaked vine fruits (served with handmade strawberry jam and Cornish clotted cream) and 'snow' dusted mince pies with brandy butter. A pot of Christmas blend tea (owner Tania Baker revealed it's infused with cranberry) or Cotswold syrup mulled wine completes the feast. For those with endless appetite the Christmas High Tea might fit the bill. Inspired by meals taken by the working classes in between afternoon tea and dinner high tea is a hearty spread and at By Jove! includes scones, mince pies and Christmas cake along with a choice of main course too. Available from 16th November until 11th January 2010.
The Old School, 30a High Street, Burwell, Cambridgeshire CB25 0HD / 01638 602086 / www.byjovetearooms.co.uk
Rocke Cottage Tearooms, Shropshire
Settle into the beamed surroundings of this charming 400 year old Welsh long house and tuck into a homemade menu of tea-time treats. Home-made mince pies and Christmas cakes will grace the menu, along with 18 varieties of tea, between December 2nd until New Year's Eve (although Rocke Cottage is closed during the week of the 21st). As owner Karin Clarke points out, "afternoon tea reminds (guests) of times gone by, especially if it is in a period tearoom." Tea-takers will be entertained by music from the roaring Twenties while they feast on local produce (the provenance of which is flagged up on Rocke Cottage's website) and as Christmas wouldn't be complete without a ghost story, perhaps you'll come across Rocke Cottage's resident spirit on your visit?
Rocke Cottage Tearooms, Abcott, Clungunford, Shropshire SY7 0PX / 01588 660631 / www.rockecottagetearoom.co.uk
Orange Pekoe, Barnes, S.W London
The adorable Orange Pekoe tea rooms occupies an enviable position in the bustling London village of Barnes. Always popular with local visitors the special Christmas menu will ensure Orange Pekoe becomes even more of an attraction!
From December 4th until Christmas Eve the Christmas Afternoon tea will include a selection of freshly made finger sandwiches (including turkey and cranberry sauce, rare roast beef and horseradish, gravadlax Scottish smoked salmon, duck and port pate, Montgomery Cheddar cheese with apricot and ginger chutney, and cucumber and mint); a freshly baked plain or sultana scone daubed with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry preserve; your choice of cake from the cake counter or a traditionally Christmassy sweet (choose from freshly baked mince pies, black forest chocolate log, Christmas fruit cake and mini Christmas puddings) plus a pot of tea. The "spicy and festive" Christmas Tea Blend comes highly recommended!
3 White Hart Lane, London SW13 0PX / 020 8876 6070 / www.orangepekoeteas.com
The River Bar and Restaurant at The Lowry Hotel, Manchester
While Christmas-time lends itself cosy-ing up in a traditional tea-room, what happens if quaint isn't quite your style? City slickers can still enjoy an Award of Excellence-winning afternoon tea at Salford's urban oasis, The Lowry. Ever since the traditional afternoon tea was launched at the chic and contemporarily-designed hotel it's been popular with guests and the festive season is no exception. Guests indulging in the hotel's Festive Tea will be treated to a glass of mulled wine, a selection of finger sandwiches including roast turkey and stuffing; roast ham with honey and mustard; and smoked salmon and horseradish along with a range of Christmas-inspired cakes and pastries to include choux buns filled with brandy and raisin pastry cream; mini stollen; and mandarin trifle and white chocolate and cranberry mousse. Is your mouth watering yet? Available from 1st December throughout the rest of the month.
The Lowry Hotel, 50 Dearmans Place, Chapel Wharf, Salford, Manchester M3 5LH / 0161 827 4000 / www.roccofortecollection.com
The Palm Court at The Balmoral, Edinburgh
With the perfect position to tempt in shoppers weary from traipsing up and down bustling Prince's Street, this elegant Scottish hotel offers an unbeatable venue for your Christmas-time tea! Christmas carols never fail to set the mood for the festive season and at The Palm Court at The Balmoral there is plenty of musical entertainment for guests indulging in afternoon tea. A choir and harpist will be in attendance over the Christmas period while mince pies, turkey sandwiches (not made from leftovers, we hasten to add!) and cinnamon scones will all appear on the menu.
Classic tea-time treats include sandwiches filled with fresh salmon, cucumber and creme fraiche; honey roast ham; egg mayonnaise, chive and piquollo pepper; and Scottish beef with red onion marmalade while those with a sweet-tooth will be tempted by mini chocolate, heather honey and fruit scones, Balmoral shortbread, Dundee cake and chocolate tiffin.
The carol-singing choir will be present on December 6th, 13th, 16th, 20th and 23rd, performing between 14:30-17:00, while the other days in December a harpist will be playing during the same time period.
1 Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2EQ / 0131 5562414 / www.roccofortecollection.com