Cost – £14.95 (December 2023).
Parking and Access – There is a small amount of parking available near the front of the inn. There is also a large public car park, just across the road to the pub. We used the public car park.
There are no steps to access the building. The toilets were also on the flat, but were some distance from where we were seated for our Tea.
Background – We were going for Afternoon Tea with a couple of our friends. We are very lucky to have some lovely friends and family members, who are up for joining us for an Afternoon Tea, wherever we are.
Our friends suggested we try The Old Bull Inn in Royston. We had never been there, so, we were very happy to go and try somewhere new.
Contents per person – Six finger sandwiches (Six of each filling, between the four of us – egg mayonnaise, smoked salmon, brie and cranberry and ham and mustard). Two large, plain, scones, a dish of strawberry jam and a dish of clotted cream. Five squares of cake between two people (possibly – red velvet, carrot, Victoria, orange and plain?). A pot of tea or coffee.
Options Available – No options are available for this Afternoon Tea.
Comments – We were led to an area in the restaurant. The room was nicely decorated for Christmas, and was full of amazing old beams. The lovely building is very old, dating from, at least 1520!
The table was laid for four people. Each setting had a plate, cup and saucer, and a teaspoon. There was also a paper napkin each, topped with a knife, fork and spoon.
The crockery was all old, mismatched vintage crockery.
The tea arrived first, in a china teapot, plus a white milk jug.
The tea was a good strength, and was nice and hot. The teapot was replenished when we wanted it to be.
The Afternoon Tea itself was served on two three-tier cake stands with round, plain white plates.
The sandwiches were made on a mix of brown and white bread. They were well filled and freshly made. The sandwiches were topped with a small amount of greenery. There were two layers of sandwiches on each cake stand. Each layer held a different sandwich filling.
The scones arrived on a slate platter, and were dusted with icing sugar. The scones were a large size and had not been warmed up. They were good, fresh scones.
They were accompanied by a large dish of strawberry jam and a large dish of clotted cream.
There was plenty enough of both the strawberry jam, and clotted cream for all four of us.
Unfortunately, the cakes let down the rest of the lovely Afternoon Tea. Not only had they committed the cardinal sin of providing only one of each cake, but there were five in total, for each couple!! Grrr!
However, the squares of cake were quite big, so it was possible to cut each in half. The cakes were all quite light and fresh. However, despite being all different to look at, they all tasted just the same!! We were not sure what any of them were actually supposed to taste of.
Service was average, we were rarely visited, but we were the only people in the room for most of the time. We were asked if we needed more tea, and the teapot was topped up for us.
| Savoury | 1.5 |
| Scone | 1.5 |
| Jam | 2.0 |
| Cream | 2.0 |
| Cake (variety) | 1.5 |
| Cake (quality) | 1.0 |
| Tea | 1.5 |
| Presentation | 1.5 |
| Service | 1.5 |
| Value | 2.0 |
| Total | 16.0 |
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 