Barnsdale Hall Hotel, Barnsdale, Rutland.

Cost – £12.50 (Sept 2013)

Background – The Barnsdale Hall Hotel occupies a lovely rural setting overlooking Rutland Water.

The old part of the hotel is a stunning building.

There are several newer buildings on the site including one housing the spa and restaurant which is where we had our Afternoon Tea.

I visited the hotel on a spa and Afternoon Tea package with three other ladies. The spa area includes a large swimming pool, two Jacuzzis, a steam room and a sauna. Having spent some time enjoying the facilities in the spa area, we went down to the restaurant to have our Afternoon Tea. The restaurant was bright and airy. We sat at a table by the window.

Contents – 4 finger sandwiches (smoked salmon with cream cheese, ham with mustard, egg mayonnaise, cheese with curried pickle), 3 smallish pieces of cake (strawberry sponge, chocolate brownie, ginger cake), large fruit scone, jam and clotted cream. Small individual pot of tea (could be refilled).

Comments – The Afternoon Tea arrived well presented on three plates. A large round white plate containing the sandwiches with a mustard and cress garnish. And two  square white plates, the first containing the scones plus bowls of strawberry jam and clotted cream, and the second containing the cakes topped with fruit. The tea was served in stainless steel teapots.

The sandwiches were all fresh and tasty. They were well filled and were sprinkled with mustard and cress.

The scones had been warmed up but by the time we started to eat them they had gone rather hard and brittle. They were large and well fruited. There was enough jam and cream but one of our party didn’t eat any so it would have been too little had we all wanted some.

The cakes were topped with a raspberry or half strawberry. They were all really moist and tasty. There was a good interesting choice of cakes. It would have been nice to have had a little more of each but they were really good.

The tea was made with tea bags. The pots were refilled on request and the tea was of a good strength without being too strong. Service was friendly and helpful.

Sandwiches	2.0
Scone	0.5
Jam	2.0
Cream	1.5
Cake (variety)	2.0
Cake (quality)	1.5
Tea	1.5
Presentation	2.0
Service	2.0
Value	2.0
Total	17.0