Cost – £14.95 (Dec 2020)
Parking and Access – There is a large car park near to the main entrance of the hotel. However, there are a number of steps to climb to the entrance. I believe there is flat access available to the rear of the hotel, however, I have not used it. Access to the dining area was all on the level once inside. The toilets are a little way from the café, but are also accessed on the level.
Background – We were incredibly lucky to get away for a week to Norfolk in between lockdown 2.0 and East Anglia moving into tier 4 at Christmas time, for the coronavirus pandemic. We only had a few days’ notice that we would be able to go, so I had to hit the internet quickly in the hope of finding a Festive Aftenoon Tea to enjoy whilst we were away. Luckily, The Dales Country House Hotel, which we had visited before for their traditional Afternoon Tea (see review from August 2014) was offering exactly what we wanted. That was some years ago, so it was about time we revisited! We rang the hotel, and made a booking for a few days later. This time we would be having their Festive Tea.
The Dales Hotel is situated in Upper Sheringham, a short distance inland from the main town of Sheringham and the sea.
Contents per person – A glass of hot mulled wine. Four rectangular sandwiches each (ham, smoked salmon and cream cheese, cheese and pickle, and egg mayonnaise). One medium sized fruit scone, a small dish of strawberry jam and a small dish of clotted cream. A mini mincepie, a slice of Battenburg cake, a Christmast Tree shaped biscuit, and a mulled wine jelly. A pot of tea.
Options Available – There were no options available for this Afternoon Tea.
Comments – We were shown to a table set ready for us beside a roaring fire, in the main restaurant of the hotel.
The table was nicely decorated for the season, with Christmas confetti on the table, a candle light in the shape of a Christmas tree, and a cracker for each of us to pull. It was a freezing cold day, so the fire was particularly welcome!
Shortly after sitting down, we were served with a lovely glass of warm mulled wine each. It was really delicious, and warmed us up nicely!
We were also asked what we would like to drink with our Tea. We both chose Breakfast tea, as usual.
The tea arrived quickly in a stainless-steel teapot, accompanied by a matching jug of milk. The tea was a little on the strong side for us. We had some, then asked for the pot to be topped up with just hot water.
The Afternoon Tea arrived on a black three tier cake stand with round white plates.
The sandwiches were all well filled and had been freshly made. There was a mix of brown and white bread.
There was one, medium sized, fruit scone each. The scone had been warmed up for us. It tasted fresh and was very good.
There was plenty of both jam and cream.
Finally, we had the sweet part of the Tea. The mince pie was a bit small, but tasted good. The remaining items were all of a good size. The Battenberg cake was fresh and tasty.
The Christmas tree biscuit was particularly yummy, having been drizzled with chocolate across it. Finally, the mulled wine jelly was a good festive finish to our Tea.
This was a really enjoyable Afternoon Tea in difficult times. It was well presented and the little festive touches, such as the mulled wine, were particularly special and welcome.
| Sandwiches | 1.5 |
| Scone | 1.5 |
| Jam | 1.5 |
| Cream | 2.0 |
| Cake (variety) | 1.5 |
| Cake (quality) | 1.5 |
| Tea | 1.5 |
| Presentation | 2.0 |
| Service | 2.0 |
| Value | 2.0 |
| Total | 17.0 |
All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The photographs are all my own.
I remain completely anonymous and always pay for my Afternoon Teas. They are never gifted to me by the businesses reviewed.
I am the legal copyright holder of the content and images on this blog.
Sarnies Scones and Cakes 