Afternoon Tea at The Courthouse, Knutsford

If, like us, you have decided against January dietary resolutions thanks to a mountain of excess chocolate still in your cupboards post- Christmas, we can highly recommend beating the January blues by taking some time out for afternoon tea. Last weekend, we took heed of our own advice and ventured to The Courthouse Hotel in Knutsford, but despite being a literal former-courthouse, this is not a place to be judged for indulging your cake-loving sins. 

The Courthouse is a beautiful venue and in keeping with its foundations, dining takes place within the docks with an impressive bar as the focal point. The walls are covered in a sprawling collection of artwork, and if you look closely, some incorporate cool imagery of famous mugshots such as that of Elvis and even those of fiction, like Sirius Black - just our kind of place. 

The venue offers several afternoon tea options. We went for traditional, served on pretty, mismatched floral tableware, but for those more adventurous, there are alternatives that include champagne and another that has been inspired by the current trend for gin. Despite not being massive gin fans ourselves, we can imagine that one goes down a treat. 

To begin, finger sandwiches arrived perfectly fresh and came with four different fillings on a couple of different breads; salmon and crème fraîche, beef with horseradish, egg mayo, and cheese and onion. A good balance of fillings, and we’re always happy when salmon is on the menu. A good intro.

Next, despite taking our usual long break to take photos, the scones were still warm when we eventually tucked in and served with good amount of jam and cream. Plus, they were lightly spiced which we can assume has been adopted from their recent Christmas menu offering. Delicious.

Finally the pastries were also channelling a winter vibe thanks to a colour palette of greens and deep reds. We each had a green apple macaroon, chocolate orange profiterole, miniature battenberg, and berry mousse dome. The profiteroles were a favourite, a nice seasonal twist on the much-loved dessert, alongside the berry dome which was tart but complementary to the rest of the pastry flavours on our plates.

Finally we washed this all down with a few cups of coffee and a generous pot of earl grey, and were left feeling pleasantly full, not wanting to move from our gorgeous surroundings.

At £15.95 per person, traditional afternoon tea at The Courthouse is a steal, and if you're feeling the pinch in the wait between Christmas and January paydays (don't worry, we feel your pain!), the venue is offering 2 for 1 packages on afternoon tea until the end of the month. Bargain!

Overall we loved our afternoon at The Courthouse, the venue is beautiful with its subtle balance of tradition and quirkiness, and the food is fab. If it's a January pick me up you're after, you will find it here.

For more information and booking, please visit:

https://www.thecourthousecheshire.com/

Words: Laura

Photography - Caroline

We were kindly provided with a complimentary tea for review, but as usual, all thoughts and opinions are very much our own!

Afternoon Tea at the Cat Cafe Manchester

In case you haven't noticed the recent feline inspired theme on our Instagram posts and gift guides, we are definitely unabashed cat people. So when we heard about Cat Cafe Manchester's new Christmas afternoon tea we couldn't wait to give it a try! 

Our first tip would be to book ahead. The cafe only allows a small number of visitors inside at any one time (as not to overcrowd the cats!) and there was a hefty queue of people waiting to go in when we arrived on Sunday afternoon. £12 will get you an hour of kittie time with all hot and cold drinks included plus £1 for every additional 5 minutes spent in the cafe. Afternoon tea is priced separately at £8pp. 

The cafe itself feels like you've stepped into someone's living room/ pet shop, spaciously kitted out with comfy sofas, cushions and enough tunnels, bridges and boxes to keep the stars of the show entertained all day. Upon arrival we spotted a few cats hidden away on high shelves and curled up sleeping by the counter complete with a 'do not disturb' sign and completely unfazed by their adoring fans - truly, cats after our own hearts! 

Drinks are ordered over the counter where you will find a selection of cat-inspired cakes and tray bakes to choose from. We opted for breakfast tea and a latte before indulging in hot chocolate generously topped with marshmallows and cream a little later on.

Afternoon tea comes with two types of finger sandwiches; turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce, and cheese and chutney. There are four of each, it would have been good to have maybe one one more option in there to add a bit of variation but nonetheless, good stodgy fillings and perfectly fresh.

The scones were good too, though shop bought as no hot food is prepared on site, they were very tasty and served with a good dollop of jam and cream.

To finish we tucked into slices of chocolate yule log, mini mince pies and two super cute gingerbread cat cookies. A really sweet mix of treats and just enough to leave us feeling full. 

Later on, as though unleashed to the public (or paparazzi due to the entire cafe clamouring to take photos), more cats appeared from behind the counter ready to play. If we could have taken them all home, we would have definitely left with meowing pockets and handbags.

For more information and booking please visit:

http://catcafe.co.uk/

Words: Laura

Photography: Caroline 

Afternoon Tea Lovers Gift Guide - Part Two

Sometimes tea is the only gift you need, so why not spread the love this Christmas and share a cuppa with your faves? (or y'know treat yourself, because you deserve it?!)

Last week we gave a round up of some of our top Afternoon Tea selections for the festive season, but if you're still on the hunt for that perfect gift, keep reading and feel inspired.

1. Festive Brews from JOES TEA CO | RRP £4.75 Each, available to buy online here (Christmas Chai Rooibos)

JOES TEA have recently become one of our absolute go to brands, so we were thrilled to find out that they have a Christmas range. Available in lots of different varieties, these blends are naturally organic and caffeine free, being the perfect treat to sip in front of the fire first thing Christmas morning - The spicy chai Christmas Chai Rooibos is our top pick, packing a delicious cinnamon punch!

2. Monin Syrups | RRP £4.75 Each, available to buy online here 

More of a coffee fan? No worries, we're here for ya. Perfect for the barista in your life, Monin Syrups are the go to brand for coffee connoisseurs everywhere, offering a sweet range of delicious syrups to incorporate into your festive caffeine boost - our favourites at the moment are Hazelnut and Salted Caramel. Salted Caramel Latte, anyone?

3. Bettys Toasted Marzipan Christmas Cake | RRP £10.00 Each, available to buy online here

Bettys Christmas Cakes make a regular appearance in our Christmas Stockings every year and our absolute fave is this Marzipan treat. Packed with dense currents and glace cherries, this is guarenteed to bring a smile come Christmas day. If you're not feeling the marzipan, they also do a variety of other Christmas Cake selections, including traditional and Sloe Gin!

4. Tea Fit For A Queen | RRP £10.00, available to buy online here

If you're not eating cake, then you should at least be thinking about it, right? This little book from the Historic Royal Palaces, will help you do just that. Packed with pages upon pages of beautiful photography and recipe inspiration, this handbag sized hardback is ideal for home-made tea party planning - we can't wait to give some of the recipes a whirl at our next gathering.

So there you have it - gift ideas fit for the cake queens and tea lords in your life. We hope that these offer just a little bit of inspiration to those of you looking to grab that last minute stocking filler. Comment below with your favourite, or let us know which one you'd like to see under your tree this Christmas.

Words & Photography: Caroline

WIN
Because we love you (and oh we really do!) we wanted to give one lucky reader the chance to have their very own festive treat, so are giving you the chance to win the sold out Bettys Christmas Gift set from our Afternoon Tea Lovers Gift Guide - Part One that was posted last Monday.

To be in with a chance of winning, simply head over to our twitter feed, follow and RT our pinned post HERE - good luck!

Open to UK residents only. Only one entry per person. Competition will close at midnight (BST) on 20/12/2017. The winner will be chosen and announced on 21/12/2017. The Afternoon Tea Club's decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into. The Afternoon Tea Club is not responsible for inaccurate prize details supplied by third party connected to this competition. There will be no cash alternative. Winner will be notified via Twitter. By entering the competition the winner agrees to participate in such promotional activity on our website and Twitter. No responsibility can be taken for any entries which are not received for any reason.

Afternoon Tea Lovers Gift Guide - Part One

It's the most wonderful time of the year, which means that you officially have permission to throw caution to the wind and indulge in ALL the treats, and what better way to celebrate than with a whole host of afternoon tea goodies?

Whether you're a generous gifter or hopeful receiver, take a moment or two to indulge in our Tea Lovers Gift Guide, before picking out your faves and sending on to Santa, with the subject heading: "All I want for Christmas is a brew"

1. Bettys Christmas Coffee and Biscuits Set | RRP £10.50 (Currently out of stock online, but alternatives available here)

Whilst perhaps best known for their tea, it's fair to say that Bettys also make a great cup of coffee. This limited edition Christmas blend with all-butter ginger shortbread proves just that, with a full bodied yet smooth texture teamed with just a hint of chocolate to get you in the festive spirit!

2. Oliver Bonas Saskia Cat Mug | RRP £12.00 available to buy online here

Oliver Bonas is a sure fire winner when it comes to cups - and everything else for that matter - but the Saskia Cat Mug has to be one of our all time faves. Styled as the most kawaii feline you'll come across this side of Christmas, this is one for tea and cat lovers alike. (PS: They also have a matching candle, if you're into coordination!)

3. Clippers English Breakfast Gift Caddy | RRP £10.00 available to buy online here

There are so many different tea varieties out there, but sometimes all you want is a good old fashioned cup of Breakfast tea - and when it's presented in a beautiful pink and purple tin, there's really just no saying no. Still need convincing? All of Clippers' products are also 100% Organic and Fair Trade, so it's really a gift that keeps on giving. Available in three varieties (breakfast, green and sleep) these will make the perfect stocking fillers for the tea lover in your life.

4. The Tea Leaf Company Four Tins in a Gift Box | RRP £29.99 available to buy online here

You really can't beat a tin of loose leaf tea and with the Tea Leaf Company's Gift Box you get four! Available to mix and match until your heart's content, you can choose a quartet of any of the following flavours: Hide and Seek, Hush Hush, Smugglers Spice, Royals and Rogues, No 5 Blood Orange, No 6 Simply Green, No 10 Apple & Cinnamon, No 16 Green & Mint, No 24 Lemon & Ginger; No 25 Chamomile; No 28 Simply Mint, and No 66 Jasmine & Lychee - there's literally something for everyone!

5. Tea Tourist Subscription Box | RRP from £12 per month, available to buy online here

Imagine having tea delivered to your door every month for a year? Well with Tea Tourist, you don't have to. Available as a one off purchase or an ongoing subscription, this letter box sized delivery will arrive at your door on around the 20th of each month, with enough tea to keep you going for the next four weeks. Each box comes with six packs of loose leaf tea from a variety of suppliers, along with tasting cards and discounts on full product purchases. We tried out the December box and were really impressed with the Christmassy flavours that they had going on - be sure to try the mulled wine infusion by the Rutland Tea company, it's delish.

6.  Find me a Gift, Cat Face Filter Cup | RRP £8.99, available to buy online here

As you've probably guessed by now, we like cats, in fact we LOVE them and even though we're both a little too old to be filtering away on Snapchat all day, tea cup filters are an entirely different kettle of fish - coincidently, a kettle of fish is EXACTLY what the cats would order if they went for tea, don't you think? Anyway, we love this teacup and think you will too!

What will you be asking Santa for this Christmas? Tell us your dream Afternoon Tea gift in the comments below and look out for the second instalment of our gift guide coming this weekend!

Words & Photography: Caroline

Afternoon Tea at Sculpture Hall Cafe, Manchester Town Hall

If you’re in Manchester around Christmas time, its famous Christmas markets are compulsory visiting - the smells, the lights, the push and shove, are all part of the annual experience. But not to be all bah humbug, this year the crowds seem to have gone into overdrive and you’re a more worthy fan of pulled pork than us if you manage to fight your way to the hog roast station without an umbrella to at least one eye.

Luckily for Christmas market veterans like ourselves, there is an oasis away from the madness that rests just behind the wooden huts and below where the giant illuminated Santa perches from November to December. Inside Manchester Town Hall nests the beautiful Sculpture Hall Cafe and our choice of afternoon tea venue this past weekend.

For starters, little tip, if you plan on visiting the Sculpture Hall, go AROUND the markets and use the Lloyd Street entrance - we didn’t and felt like we had well and truly earned our champagne by the time we battled our way through. It’s an elegant setting surrounded by stunning architecture, but a casual affair which was honestly quite a pleasant change. Guests are allowed to choose their own table and we would recommend a window seat so you can still take in the markets from a safe distance.

From now until December, the cafe is serving up a festive twist on its traditional afternoon tea served on a simple stand where you’ll find a checklist of all of the season’s well-known flavours. For starters there was a selection of savouries including prawn and marie rose sauce finger sandwiches, turkey and stuffing wrap, brie and cranberry on ciabatta, and roast chestnut and blue cheese tart. Unfortunately neither of us are fans of seafood, so the four prawn sandwiches were a little disappointing, and for two non-cheese connoisseurs, the blue cheese was mighty strong in the tart, overpowering the wintry chestnut. However, the wrap was good and overall the selection was a nice nod to some typical Christmas fare.

Next the scones were small but super tasty - packed with cinnamon and cranberry flavour and served with clotted cream and jam or butter. We lobbed on the jam and cream and honestly I could have eaten three more, they were lovely. Finally the festive theme continued throughout the sweet selection the with a Christmas sponge cake, mini macaroons, rich chocolate and orange mousse and bitesize mince pies. I loved all of them, particularly the sponge cake, a really good mix and just the right size too. 

This afternoon tea comes as either standard or with champagne for an extra £5 and we must say, it was a generous pouring of fizz so worth splashing out - Christmas comes but once a year afterall. Plus you have your standard choice of tea or coffee, of which we had one each, a latte and breakfast tea. We visited quite late in the day so can’t confirm if this was refillable but I would assume, given the price, it is not.

If we were bigger fans of prawns and cheese, perhaps we would have enjoyed this tea more - still it is rather unusual to get four sandwiches with the same filling during afternoon tea. Nonetheless, the sweeter side was great and the environment itself wins back some serious points - how often do you get to slump back in a studded leather armchair surrounded by sculpted busts and Christmas trees pretending you are the Lord or Lady of the manor? 

I would definitely like to go back in the new year to try the Sculpture Hall’s traditional tea menu - at £14.95pp (£19.95 with champagne) you really can’t argue with the price. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for somewhere to experience the quieter side of Christmas in Manchester, the Sculpture Hall Cafe is a good place to start. 

Words - Laura

Photography - Caroline