Cost – £22.50 (Aug 2024) plus 10% service charge, added automatically.
Parking and Access – There is a large car park available at the hotel, near to the entrance. There is disabled parking available right next to the entrance.
There is flat access from the car park, and into the building.
There is also flat access to the toilets.
Background – We have previously visited this venue, some years back, when it was called the Barns Hotel. However, since our last visit, the hotel suffered flooding from the River Great Ouse, which it is right next to. It was then closed for two years for drying out and refurbishment. It finally reopened as the Kingfisher in 2022.
The Kingfisher pub is located in a sixteenth century building on the river bank. There is also a thirteenth century Tithe Barn, which is used for events.
Contents (per person) – One rectangular sandwich (prawn mayonnaise), a chicken and bacon wrap, a small slice of sausage roll, a mini cheese and onion quiche and a mini spinach and red pepper quiche. Two medium sized scones (one plain and one fruit), a mini Tiptree pot of strawberry jam (topped with a fresh raspberry) and a small bowl of clotted cream. A small square of Victoria sponge, a small square of lemon cake, and a small square of rocky road. Plus a strawberry each. A pot of tea or coffee.
Options Available – There are no options available for this Afternoon Tea.
Comments – We had booked our Afternoon Tea the day before.
When we arrived, there was a table was waiting for us. The table was laid with round white pottery plates, black teacups and saucers, a knife and fork on a paper napkin, and a glass each.
We were asked straight away what we would like to drink. Three of us chose a standard tea, whilst the last person chose a coffee.
The tea arrived quite quickly in round, metal teapots, accompanied by a mini milk churn of milk. The tea was a good strength. We later asked for a refill which was brought for us. The tea was made with tea bags.
We were also given a carafe of iced water for the table.
The Afternoon Tea arrived shortly after on a plain metal three tier cake stand with round white plates.
There was a nice variety of items in the savoury section. The sandwich and wrap were very well filled and freshly made. The sausage roll was delicious, but far too small a slice! The two mini quiches were tasty and warm.
The scones were medium sized and had been warmed up. Both scones were fresh and tasty, and the fruit scone had a reasonable amount for fruit in it. There was enough of both jam and clotted cream.
The three cakes were all pretty small in size. The two sponges were freshly made and light. Both tasted good. However, the rocky road was a bit of a disappointment, and did not have a very nice texture.
Service was good, with a cheery young man serving us. There was no problem with having the teapot refilled, and he also brought some butter for one of our party, who does not like cream.
| Savoury | 1.5 |
| Scone | 2.0 |
| Jam | 1.5 |
| Cream | 2.0 |
| Cake (variety) | 1.5 |
| Cake (quality) | 1.0 |
| Tea | 1.5 |
| Presentation | 1.5 |
| Service | 2.0 |
| Value | 1.5 |
| 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 