Charlotte in the City: Laura Ashley Hotel

A few weeks back our City Gal Charlotte Vowden headed off to Hertfordshire to sample a brand new Afternoon Tea at The Laura Ashley Hotel. Here's how she got on:

Television and tea parlours do not go well together and at The Laura Ashley Hotel you might find a newsreader joining you at the table if you don’t ask the waiter to press the off button on the adjoining bar’s plasma TV. Once electronic intrusions are eliminated though, it becomes a peaceful venue that purrs with the conversation of fellow tea takers.

With only a sprinkling of chintz, the Tudor Manor in Elstree has been renovated, decorated and furnished by Laura Ashley and is the first hotel of it’s kind. The style is tasteful throughout and most items, from the tiered chandelier that hangs from the tea parlour ceiling to the cream rose pillar candles resting on the mantelpiece, can be found in one of the catalogues placed about the property. 

The afternoon tea steers towards the traditional with finger sandwiches, scones and sweets served on Royal porcelain chinaware. The tea pot is more contemporary however, and I liken it to a shiny silver UFO.

Recited rather than presented on a menu, I struggled to remember the varieties of teas on offer so think perhaps this practice needs a rethink. Plus, I do think perusing the choices of tea is all part of the ceremony, is it not?

The sandwiches looked a little lonely on the bottom, and largest, plate of the tea stand but I’m glad an attempt wasn't made to fill all the space with more savoury slices as the portion would have been too large. The scones, warmed through to give them a nice crumble, were served with just the right amount of clotted cream and tiny pots of strawberry Tiptree jam.

Top of the tier and always top of my hit-list was a plate of scrummy sweets. With a single blueberry as its crown, a micro chocolate tart with a bubbly light mousse-filling delivered a healthy bitter after-kick. The salted caramel macaroon had the perfect crunch to chew ratio but I would have liked to have had more buttercream on the carrot cake.

As the chillier weather sets in and the Chrtistmas decorations go up, head to The Laura Ashley hotel for a cosy teatime treat.

Afternoon Tea is priced at £16.95 per person and a festive tea menu is now available. For more information please visit http://www.lauraashleyhotels.com. 

Charlotte Vowden is a travel & lifestyle journalist who is as happy in the mountains as she is sipping champagne and indulging on cake. Writing for The Sunday Times and other national publications keeps her busy but she’s always looking for her next adventure or afternoon tea destination.

Twitter: @charlottevowden

DISCLAIMER: As is common in the catering and leisure industry, we were provided with complimentary services for review purposes. Whilst this has not influenced our review, we believe in the full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. 

Charlotte in the City: Brocket Hall Heritage Afternoon Tea Review

Last week our London girl, Charlotte Vowden, ventured out of the City for an afternoon of sheer indulgence at one of the country's prettiest afternoon tea destinations. Here's how she got on...

Brocket Hall

For my latest afternoon tea outing I ventured to Brocket Hall in Hertfordshire. The 18th century country retreat has just opened the doors of its grand ballroom for Heritage Afternoon Tea and I couldn’t resist a trip out of the city now the good weather has arrived.

 

Less than an hour from central London by car, Brocket Hall feels like a lifetime away. The ballroom has been so immaculately preserved and restored it feels as though you’ve travelled back in time. There were moments when I thought I might see a man in period costume gallop by on a horse rather than a man in a golf buggy on the course below.

Scones, anyone?

A warm welcome is guaranteed as a butler service begins as soon as you enter the Hall.  Friendly without being over-familiar the smartly attired butlers keenly share their knowledge - I learnt that the ballroom’s decorative ceiling dates back to 1760 and depicts the signs of the zodiac. It’s stunning, and I found it impossible to not gaze at it during tea to find all twelve signs.

The sandwiches, scones and sweets are presented on silver platters as and when you are ready so I took my time to appreciate both the food and ambience. A pianist played throughout my visit and the repertoire included both classic and contemporary numbers. The butler even checked I was comfortable with the volume. 

 

Following the deeply-filled finger sandwiches, which included salmon and dill crème fraîche, the scones were served warm, just how I like them. With a choice of butter, clotted cream, jam and lemon curd there was plenty to dollop on them. 

  

Cakes

It was on the sweet platter that I found my only criticism of the tea as the lemon drizzle cake and battenberg slice were dry. I rectified the problem with some of the cream leftover from the scones so they were still very much enjoyed. 

Each of the seven teas on the menu were accompanied by information on either their origin, their composition or their flavours. I had chamomile tea in a two cup teapot with a little honey which was supplied in a tiny jar on a plate with a doily. It was on recommendation from the butler as I had told him I had a particularly sweet tooth and I found it to be utterly delicious. 

Time for tea!

As a former home to two British Prime Ministers and a favourite destination for members of the Royal Family, Brocket Hall has been a honeypot for prestigious gatherings for hundreds of years and The Heritage Afternoon Tea marks a new chapter in the ballroom’s rich history of entertaining. 

If there was ever an afternoon tea that warranted a pretty frock for the ladies and a smart shirt for a men then this is it. It’s a place where happy memories are made beneath a twinkling chandelier over tea and cake.

A Room with a View

Tea is served every Sunday and is priced at £29.50 per person, or £42.00 with a glass of champagne. To make a reservation visit www.brocket-hall.co.uk or call 01707 368 700

Charlotte Vowden is a travel & lifestyle journalist who is as happy in the mountains as she is sipping champagne and indulging on cake. Writing for The Sunday Times and other national publications keeps her busy but she’s always looking for her next adventure or afternoon tea destination.

Twitter: @charlottevowden

DISCLAIMER: As is common in the catering and leisure industry, we were provided with complimentary services for review purposes. Whilst this has not influenced our review, we believe in the full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest.