AFTERNOON TEA are served on a traditional stand, with custom made, pink-edged plates, and the tea comes in silver tea pots and fine china pink-edged tea cups. It can be taken in the elegant bar space, or if you fancied visiting one of the nearby parks to enjoy your afternoon tea, the team will pack it up for you picnic style.
THE ONE WITH FIVE STARS The Royal Crescent Hotel & Spa, 16 Royal Crescent, Bath; www.royalcrescent.co.uk The Royal Crescent’s hotel afternoon tea consists of a selection of finger sandwiches including free range chicken with Coronation mayonnaise, topside of beef, horseradish and watercress, Clarence Court egg mayonnaise and smoked salmon with chive cream cheese. Then comes the freshly made sweet scones and Bath buns, a sweet spiced bun topped with sugar; and finally a selection of cakes and pastries, which currently include an exotic fruit macaroon; a dark chocolate, passionfruit and hazelnut gateaux; a summer berry and tonka bean choux bun; and an apricot and lavender tartlet. Everything is made on site by the team of pastry chefs lead by Michael Topp the head pastry chef, with an average of 400 scones a week produced during the summer months. Enjoy panoramic views with your afternoon tea at Lucknam Park
Alongside the afternoon tea itself, leading premium tea brand Ronnefeldt is served, as well as champagne and flights of Sipsmiths gin, Reyka Icelandic vodka, or Plantation rum are offered. The indulgent treat is served on traditional silver afternoon tea stands, china tea pots, and pristinely white linen clothed tables, and can be enjoyed in the Dower House restaurant, and during the summer months, in the beautiful landscaped gardens within the hotel walls.
THE ONE SET IN 500 ACRES Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Colerne, Chippenham; www.lucknampark.co.uk The Lucknam Park afternoon tea is served on a petite fleur three-tiered stand. Tier number one is a selection of hand-crafted sandwiches and savouries including ham and tomato, egg and cress, and smoked salmon. Tier two is a choice of sweet or savoury warm homemade scones with clotted cream and homemade preserves, and tier three is a selection of dainty patisserie prepared by the pastry chef. For drinks choose between leaf tea, fresh coffee, or a glass of Joseph Perrier champagne. The afternoon tea is served in Restaurant Hywel Jones, which is set in 500 glorious acres of beautiful gardens and unspoilt parkland, with a 360-degree scenic view. And you can always upgrade your visit and use the spa’s facilities or book in with the equestrian centre.
THE ONE IN THE HEART OF THE CITY Abbey Hotel Kitchen, 1 – 3 North Parade, Bath; www.abbeyhotelbath.co.uk Located very near to Pulteney Bridge and Parade Gardens, in the heart of the city on the terrace in the summer month, or in the uber cool hotel ArtBar, the Abbey Kitchen afternoon tea comes on a traditional three tier stand and is made up of a selection of finger sandwiches, and decadent sweet treats such as homemade Battenberg and miniature Eton Mess, which uses Somerset cream and locally grown strawberries. To drink it’s a choice of Tea Pig teas or freshly brewed The Colombian Co. Coffee, along with the extensive wine and cocktail list. n www.mediaclash.co.uk I BATH LIFE I 47