Located just two miles from York’s historical city centre and set within acres of beautiful gardens and parkland, Middlethorpe Hall Hotel is the perfect place to enjoy afternoon tea. We were actually staying here at the hotel and having spent a long morning and lunch exploring all that York has to offer, coming back for afternoon tea in the warmth of the property was exactly what we wanted and the history it exudes makes for an even more charming location to enjoy it in.
One thing you’ll quickly discover when making this short drive to the hotel from York city centre, is just how quiet and peaceful it is. The calm, the tranquility – it’s like stepping back in time. Concierge are also on hand to greet you as you arrive, before whisking you away to your table. This traditional English afternoon tea ritual takes place in one of the grand public rooms or on warmer days on the south terrace. We found a small room next to the main hall and snuggled up next to the fire place as the cold air swooped in from the back doors – it was utter heaven and we had a lovely walk in the gardens just before.
Price of the tea is a very reasonable £29.50pp for the traditional afternoon tea or £41.50pp for Champagne afternoon tea. We took the latter and sipped on a chilled glass by the fireplace as we waited for our tea and tier to arrive.
As you would expect in such grand surroundings, the tea looks as if it was fit for royalty and no expense has been spared on presentation. Silver cutlery and tea pots, starch white linen table cloths and a quintessentially British selection of jams and teas to choose from.
So what can you expect to see on this very generously packed spread? Just about all of my favourites is what. A selection of finger sandwiches (on white or brown bread), including North Atlantic prawn with lemon creme fraiche and baby gem. Coronation chicken. Mature Cheddar with tomato chutney and egg mayonnaise with watercress. The bread was fresh and fluffy, the fillings full of flavour and importantly well seasoned. I can’t stand a sandwich which hasn’t seen a pepper mill. If you’re really hungry and ask nicely, a second helping of sandwiches will quickly appear.
I’ve had my fair share of scones over the years and these were up there with some of the best. Very large in size, but as crumbly and fluffy as could possibly be, packed with raisins and served with home-made scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
As for the cakes, there’s a lot of them and I loved the selection which was on offer. Ranging from rich and decadent custard pots, strawberry mousse bites topped with fresh cream, to delicate and light mini chocolate eclairs and macarons. I also really enjoyed the slices of cake, particularly the fruity loaf.
In case you hadn’t already guessed I absolutely loved this Afternoon Tea at Middlethrope Hall Hotel and highly recommend it to anyone looking for something special or even just something delicious. Plus the room it’s served in is the most comfortable and beautiful of settings one could hope for, with so much history and grandeur to it. Would we come back? Absolutely. I’ve not had afternoon tea anywhere else in York, but I’m guessing this is the city’s finest offering.
