Cost – £18.90 per person (Dec 2025)
Parking and Access – Sea Marge Hotel has a small car area situated at the front of the hotel, right by the entrance.
The rest of the parking is on street, though this does not seem to be a problem. It is also possible to drop passengers right by the front entrance. The entrance to the hotel is on the level. Afternoon Tea is served in either the bar area, or the restaurant. Both of which are just a few steps from the main entrance.
There are ladies toilets available near the entrance, which are reachable on the flat. However, the nearest men’s toilets are up a flight of stairs. There are also men’s toilets along a corridor, which are on the flat.
Background – We have visited Sea Marge Hotel on a few occasions. Usually for a hot drink. The building is attractive, and there is a large garden, which runs down to the cliffs and the sea.
We have experienced the Festive Afternoon Tea served at Sea Marge’s sister hotel, the Dales Country Hotel in Cromer, several times. And it has always been really good. So, when we saw Sea Marge also advertised a Festive Afternoon Tea, we decided to book and try it out.
Contents per person – Four rectangular sandwiches (turkey and cranberry, egg mayonnaise, cheese and pickle, smoked salmon and cream cheese). One medium sized fruit scone and a medium sized cheese scone, a mini Tiptree pot of jam and a pot of clotted cream. A shortbread biscuit sandwich, a tiny chocolate brownie, half of a mini mince pie, quarter of a small Bakewell tart, a chocolate truffle, half of a strawberry, a slither of chocolate thing that looked like a piece of shop swiss roll, cut between the four of us. Pot of tea.
Options Available – There were no options available for this Afternoon Tea.
Comments – We had booked our Tea a couple of weeks in advance, specifying that we would like the Festive Afternoon Tea, and requesting to have it in the little turret area in the bar. However, when we arrived, there were people in the turret, and we were shown to a completely empty room with tables in it, set for dinner.
We queried this, as we had been asked to specify where we wanted to eat, when we booked. We were told, the other area was full. However, a few minutes later, the lady returned saying the other group were leaving, and we could move there if we wanted to. We decided to move there, thinking it would be better than the empty room.
The table was laid with blue linen napkins, and chunky white crockery, and a full-size knife.
The tea arrived quickly in a stainless steel teapot, along with a metal jug of milk.
The tea was rather too strong for us. So, after pouring an initial cupful each, we asked for the pot to be topped up with just water.
From the moment we had arrived, onwards, we mentioned several times, that we had booked for Festive Afternoon Tea. We quite soon got the impression that they were not prepared. The tea stands took a good half hour to arrive. By which time, the bar had emptied, and we were, again, on our own. Even the staff disappeared! We should have taken that as a warning!!
The Tea arrived on a plain metal three-tier cake stand with chunky round white plates.
This was accompanied by a slate on which were some of the sweet items, plus the jam and cream.
The sandwiches were well filled and tasted freshly made. They were probably the best part of the Tea.
The scones were medium in size and had been warmed up for us. The cheese scone, in particular, was weirdly dry and rubbery. They were definitely not fresh.
There was enough of both the strawberry jam, and the clotted cream. However, we had to ask for some butter for the cheese scones.
As for the cakes, they were just ridiculous! The kitchen was clearly not prepared for us. Most of it was shop bought, and we wondered if they had had to run out and buy them. Also, this was the time for Festive fare to take centre stage. The only slightly Festive item was half (yes – HALF) of one of the tiny mince pies you buy in shops (the ones that come in packs of nine). The truffle and the biscuit were ok, but the rest was cut far too small, and was clearly bought in, probably in a rush….
We were very disappointed. We had such lovely Festive Teas at the Dales, that it seemed ridiculous to have such a poor version at Sea Marge. Next year, we will return to the Dales.
Service was not the best. The staff all disappeared whilst we were waiting for our Tea to arrive. They never returned. We had to go and look for someone for more tea, and to pay. It felt like they were embarrassed! And rightly so!!
| Savoury | 1.5 |
| Scones | 1.0 |
| Jam | 1.0 |
| Cream | 1.5 |
| Cake (variety) | 1.0 |
| Cake (quality) | 0.5 |
| Tea | 1.5 |
| Presentation | 1.0 |
| Service | 0.5 |
| Value | 1.0 |
| Total | 10.5 |
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 