AFTERNOON TEA Treat mum with

TREAT MUM to TEA

Afternoon tea is always a pleasure, but it’s also a great way to treat mum and to enjoy a spring day out this month. We’ve rounded up our favourite afternoon tea venues... Words: Rob Davis.

THE CHUBBY CASTOR, NEAR PETERBOROUGH...

A SHORT DRIVEFROM RUTLAND is Peterborough’s Chubby Castor... and it’s well worth the trip. This beautiful thatched country pub provides finger sandwiches on homemade artisan bread, scones and a selection of French pastries plus the Chubby Castor’s own blend of Newby tea. Prosecco and Champagne variations are available, with prices from £24-£34. The Chubby Castor is a beautiful historic building of stone and thatch with all the charm and character of the building’s 17th century style. Its Chef Patron is Adebola Adeshina who has earned a Michelin Plate and who has been praised by Harden and the AA. 01733 380801, www.thechubbycastor.com.

Stapleford Park...

THE STUNNING MANSION of Stapleford Park is an assuredly elegant environment in which to enjoy afternoon tea. The country house hotel is privately owned and set in 500 acres of parkland. Dining is excellent and afternoon tea is priced from £27.50 with optional fizz, gluten-free or vegetarian variants. There’s a spa in the former stableyard to really make an occasion of your visit, too. 01572 787000, www.staplefordpark.com.

Barnsdale Lodge, Exton...

O NE OFTHE MOST BELOVED hotels in Rutland, profiled in this edition, is Barnsdale Lodge, a 50-odd bedroom country house hotel which offers great dining during both lunchtime and evening service, plus an excellent provision of afternoon tea. The latter certainly deserves a recommendation, with cream tea, full afternoon tea, plus Champagne, gluten-free and vegetarian versions available. The hotel also has a ‘gentleman’s afternoon tea’ with savouries and ‘slider’ style burgers available, whilst Barnsdale’s location close to Rutland Water provides ample opportunity to work up an appetite beforehand. Exton, Oakham. 01572 724678, barnsdalelodge.co.uk.

Kilworth House Hotel... COMBINE LIVE ENTERTAINMENT WITH AFTERNOON TEA AT LEICESTERSHIRE’S KILWORTH HOUSE HOTEL

RUSHTON HALL HOTEL, KETTERING...

IT’S WORTH THE SHORT DRIVE away from Rutland and Stamford to enjoy the exceptional setting of Kilworth House Hotel. This Grade II listed hotel set in 38 acres has a theatre within its grounds offering a wealth of live music and drama throughout the year. Afternoon tea is the ideal precursor to a performance, with traditional tiered afternoon tea from £25/person and Prosecco, Champagne and children’s afternoon tea variations also available. Best of all, you can take afternoon tea anywhere

RICH IN HISTORYand incredibly elegant, Rushton Hall is worth the short drive from Rutland or Stamford to Kettering in order to appreciate afternoon tea in the country house hotel’s elegant Great Hall. Traditional tiered afternoon tea from £28/person with Champagne, Prosecco and rosé Champagne variants, thanks to the hotel’s partnership with Laurent-Perrier. Also on the menu is black tea from Dammann Frèr es, est 1692, and tisane from Eteaket. We’ll recommend the second flush darjeeling... and a visit to Rushton’s excellent Stableyard Spa beforehand for a treatment or two as well! 01536 713001, www.rushtonhall.com. from the Orangery (above) to the library, each of which are beautifully presented. Theatre highlights at Kilworth House this season include The Rat Pack on 1st March, 1960s spectacular Twist & Shout on 26th April and Rodgers & Hammerstein musical Carousel this summer from May to July. 01858 880058 www.kilworth house.co.uk. Is it Time For Tea? Afternoon Tea is traditionally served between 2pm and 5pm, whereas High Tea is served between 5pm and 7pm. ‘Low tea’ is posher than ‘high tea!’

Orton Hall Hotel...

BASED IN ORTON LONGUEVILLE, Ortion Hall Hotel is a 17th century former manor house set in over 20 acres of mature parkland. So secluded and green is the setting you’d never think you were within close proximity of the city of Peterborough. Pretty architecture and four star luxury are just two points in the hotel’s favour, but there’s also the Imagine Spa, which is well-equipped and serene, a great precusor to the hotel’s provision of afternoon tea. Afternoon tea is £14.95/person and is presented on traditional tiers, taken in the elegant Huntly Restaurant with its wood panelling and stained glass windows. Orton Longueville, Peterborough, 01733 391111, www.ortonhall.co.uk.

THE FUEL TANK AT BELVOIR CASTLE’S ENGINE YARD...

BELVOIR CASTLE’S Engine Yard is a superb shopping destination and a great place to spend an ad hoc day out. At The Fuel Tank restaurant there’s a selection of pastries made in house, plus custom blends of tea. A traditional afternoon tea is also available at Belvoir Castle opposite the development. Manners’ Afternoon Tea is £24/person with an optional castle tour. Royal Afternoon Tea on Mothering, Sunday 22nd March, is inspired by Netflix series The Crown - filmed at Belvoir - and is served in The State Dining Room with a harpist on hand to accompany your dining experience, £70/adult. Belvoir Castle, Grantham 01476 871001, www.belvoircastle.com.

The Petwood Hotel...

BEST KNOWN for its Dambusters connections, it’s worth a trip to Woodhall Spa to enjoy afternoon tea and perhaps an overnight stay in the hotel’s Edwardian elegance. Options begin with a standard Cream Tea at £6.95, whilst full afternoon tea is £18.25/head. Options include a Champagne variation, Bucks Fizz version, one with Prosecco and an afternoon tea option with gin. Current treats include a raspberry éclair, basil and passion fruit pavlova, and lemon meringue pie. Patisserie is all made in house and of course, the hotel also boasts beautiful grounds which have recently been restored, surrounded by woodland for a great walk to work up an appetite. Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire 01526 352411, www.petwood.co.uk.

The Finches Arms, Hambleton...

WHERE BETTERto enjoy afternoon tea than overlooking Rutland Water in the spring sunshine? Fortunately The Finches Arms in Hambleton can provide an opportunity for just that. A full afternoon tea is served from Monday to Saturday from 3pm-5pm, and comprises cakes and scones. Our recommendation is to enjoy tea on the terrace with its stunning views. 01572 756575, www.finchsarms.co.uk.

Stay at The White Hart, Ufford

call 01780 740250 Main Street, Ufford Stamford PE9 3BH lisa@whitehartufford.co.u www.whitehartufford.co.uk @WhiteHartUfford

The White Hart, Ufford

The White Hart has 12 beautifully appointed bedrooms, all offer complimentary WiFi, tea and coffee making facilities, television and hairdryer. Dogs are welcome in two of our bedrooms