Cost – £35.00 per person (June 2023)
Parking and Access – There is a carpark available to the rear of the hotel. Access to the hotel, restaurant and garden areas is all on the level.
There are toilets next to the restaurant area that are also accessible on the level.
Background – We have never been to the area east of Portsmouth. So, we decided we needed to have a bit of an explore there. I found an interesting looking Afternoon Tea in the village of Bosham, near Chichester. All we knew about the village was that the roads were flooded at high tide every day. Intriguing! We booked the Tea and planned our trip.
Contents per person – A starter of a smoked salmon and cream cheese bilini. Three finger sandwiches (egg mayonnaise, coronation chicken, smoked salmon and cucumber). A large fruit scone and a large lemon and poppy seed scone, a small dish of both strawberry jam and lemon curd, and a small dish of clotted cream. A shortbread round, a small Eton mess, a tiny chocolate flowerpot, a piece of red velvet cake, a pistachio and raspberry profiterole and a mini lemon meringue tartlette. A small dish of deconstructed strawberry crumble, topped with strawberry ice cream. A pot of tea.
Options Available – There are no options available for this Afternoon Tea.
Comments – The Millstream Hotel is situated in the middle of Bosham. It is a lovely looking building, with pretty gardens, fronted by the small millstream.
It was a beautiful sunny day when we visited, so we opted to have our Afternoon Tea in the front garden under a parasol to protect us (and the food) from the sun.
We both chose the usual English Breakfast tea to drink. This arrived quickly in a pretty blue and white willow tree pattern teapot. There was also a second pot with hot water in, plus a matching jug of milk.
We also ordered an extra cold drink as well, as it was a very warm day.
The tea was a good strength for us. But it was such a warm day that I only drank one cup, and then concentrated on just cold drinks. However, my companion continued with the tea.
We were asked if we needed a refill. We said yes, as the remaining tea was getting cold by then. We were brought another fresh teapot.
When the tea was brought out, we were also given a plate with two smoked salmon blinis on it. We were told this was our starter.
We were also given a blue and white, flowery, plate each, topped with a linen napkin, a small knife, small fork and a teaspoon.
The Afternoon Tea arrived once we had finished the blinis.
It was served on a three-tier cake stand with mismatched round blue and white plates.
The sandwiches were very generously filled and were very tasty. They were on three different types of bread, including the smoked salmon being on dark rye bread. This was a little hard going, as rye bread usually is!! But it was nice to see a variety of breads used.
The scones were all large and had been warmed up. The lemon and poppy seed scone was delicious. We had ours topped with the lemon curd. The fruit scones were very good as well. Both were lovely and fresh. And, again, it was nice to have something a little different.
There was enough strawberry jam for the fruit scones, and plenty of lemon curd for the lemon scones. There was really only enough clotted cream for one scone each. Luckily, we decided to have the lemon curd without cream as well, so there was enough.
None of the sweet items was particularly large, but we were starting to flag by the time we got to them, so they were perfect for us! We were determined to reach the end together!!
Again, all of the items were fresh, and really tasty.
They were quite imaginative and we really enjoyed them all.
I particularly enjoyed the chocolate plant pot (the leaf had wilted in the heat by the time I came to photo / eat it!!)
and the Eton mess (always a favourite dessert!),
but everything was good.
Just as we were nearing the end, we were brought out a plate containing two small dishes with a deconstructed strawberry crumble on them, each topped with a scoop of strawberry ice cream. Delicious!
I have to admit, this Afternoon Tea nearly had us beaten. And I don’t like to be defeated! However, we took our time, enjoyed the atmosphere, and got there in the end. We never felt rushed by the staff and were able to just enjoy the experience without feeling we were taking too long. This was one delicious Tea.
Service throughout was very friendly and very good. We felt valued and looked after. We had a really enjoyable Afternoon Tea in lovely surroundings in a pretty village.
Definitely one to try if you are in the area.
| Savoury | 2.0 |
| Scone | 2.0 |
| Jam | 2.0 |
| Cream | 1.5 |
| Cake (variety) | 2.0 |
| Cake (quality) | 2.0 |
| Tea | 2.0 |
| Presentation | 2.0 |
| Service | 2.0 |
| Value | 2.0 |
| Total | 19.5 |
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 