To think this makes NO SENSE!!! -(online booking related)

[LaurieFairyCake]

Attempting to book afternoon tea for 8 people - the online booking facility says you can only book up to 4

Why? My sceptical brain is thinking that if I phone and book for 8 there's going to be some massive extra charge because it's a party - it's already £30 a head (without a glass of champs at £16 a glass)

Help me make sense of this so I can anticipate before I make the call....

Perhaps they only have teeny tiny tables.

Can you not book 4 and then book another 4?

YABU

To do 8 they probably have to rearrange tables, so they need a human being to look at things and make sure it's plausible, instead of a computer counting the number of "seats" available and assuming that it'll all fit in fine.

True probably, do you think thats where this possible extra charge may come from - they may have to push 2 together

x-posted with Trills - that makes sense!

Can't get over what some places charge for tea, sandwiches and cakes. My sister and I enquired about afternoon tea at the Fortnum and Mason pavilion at Tatton last week and it was £39.95 each. And that was the price for RHS members - goodness knows what non-members would be.

I make a really spiffing afternoon tea with tiny sandwiches and homemade scones and cakes and I have a gorgeous vintage china tea set and a three tier cake stand. Come to my house I will do you a deal!

does afternoon tea over there literally mean tea and a scone or cakes?? why in the name of god do you pay that much?????

I think Trills is right. I would ring them, i'm sure its just a case of having a human sort it.

Scuzy afternoon tea in Harrods on saturday just gone for MIL 60th consisted of a selection of teas, a glass of champagne, a mixture of crustless sandwiches with various fillings, 2 scones with a selection of cream and jams and lots of little pastries and tartlets. It doesn't look like much food on the tiers but its immensely filling. Everything is replaced free if you want more. MIL and I couldn't finish, let alone have refills. We waddled out afterwards

oh i see. just that figured you would get a decent 3 course meal for that price. i'm irish believe me i love me TAY but christ thats alot of money.

"Children aged 16 years and over are welcome"

do you think this means no babies ? or are 'babes in arms' excluded from this sort of disclaimer usually as I've asked my SIL and she has a six month old.

I am going to phone but only once I've got definite numbers.

5foot5 - sounds yummy, thanks!

The 3 course meals at this place start at £75 (massively overpriced)

I would say it excludes "babes in arms" simply because it sounds like a place where you would want to hear the tinkling of china, or a piano, and not the squawking of babies and children.

Oh buggeration, really??? I've already asked my lovely SIL.

You need to phone, I would say that means only those over 16 are welcome. I doubt if they are charging £30 for afternoon tea, they will allow babies to be there.

I would complain if I went for afternoon tea and there was a crying baby.

If you're near North Yorks, Betty's do great teas, champagne and others. plus they not only let children in, they provide bibs, books and crayons.