Page 6 | To Have a Mini Afternoon Tea Rant

BillieWiper · 08/12/2025 21:29

MoominMai · 08/12/2025 21:10

There should be egg and cress, posh ham with mustard, smoked salmon, and cucumber with cream cheese.

Yum! I live alone and have no friends or family to attend an afternoon tea, though I’ve had many with my ex (the best being at the Pump Room in Bath). For my birthday, I might just buy the ingredients for the sarnies and make them up myself and for cake a few scones with jam and clotted cream will do 😋.

And the best part is there should be enough for the next day too lol

Edited

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That sounds like a fab idea. I was just thinking I was craving them all when I typed it!

I reckon it should be granary bread for the egg and cress and smoked salmon, and soft white for the cucumber and ham ones. And definitely real butter! Except on the cucumber and cream cheese and egg as they don't need any more lube!

I will be joining you in spirit! X

Princesspollyyy · 08/12/2025 21:36

OP, why didn’t you say anything? Why sit back and let them think that it was acceptable? Just a hard stare on the way out? Is that it?

MoominMai · 08/12/2025 21:42

Princesspollyyy · 08/12/2025 21:36

OP, why didn’t you say anything? Why sit back and let them think that it was acceptable? Just a hard stare on the way out? Is that it?

Yes, when will people learn that only works for Paddington 😁

DeathBanana · 08/12/2025 21:56

AppleDumplingWithCustard · 08/12/2025 18:05

I have a savoury tooth rather than a sweet one so find the balance of afternoon teas inevitably weighted in favour sweet stuff. I’d much prefer more sandwiches and just one or two tiny sweet things. I recently had an Afternoon Cheese though and it was delicious. The usual finger sandwiches, then cheese scones, lots of different little cheese savouries then several cheeses with biscuits and chutney. The only sweet item was a little sugar mouse. I thought it was a brilliant idea. I did though have to have some of it boxed up to eat in my room later.

Edited

I’m more of a savory person. We went to one and I had the man’s version (I actually think it was called gentleman’s afternoon tea which I suppose would offend some 🤣) which was all pies and tarts instead 😋

HappyFace2025 · 08/12/2025 22:21

upsofloating · 08/12/2025 21:16

Where was this, @HappyFace2025 ? I'm meeting a friend for this very purpose on Friday and that sounds excellent.

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Royal Lancaster Hotel. I think there'll be a Christmas special tea available now 🤗

BeQuirkyMintScroller · 08/12/2025 22:37

The best place used to be The Dorchester up until about 2014 ish. Great standards/quality and they would just keep bringing sandwiches round until you said "no more let us start the scones"

Was brilliant. Claridges was nice, too as a second best.

All gone downhill now though and everywhere does it now.

ETA - I also places have got away with serving sub par afternoon tea to tourists who wouldn't know any better and this standard has become the norm.

Original poster

AfternoonTeaTotty · 09/12/2025 08:31

Princesspollyyy · 08/12/2025 21:36

OP, why didn’t you say anything? Why sit back and let them think that it was acceptable? Just a hard stare on the way out? Is that it?

Because I had my kids with me as well as DH and I didn't want to spoil it, they were having a good time. Plus I didn't pay for it so wasn't in too much of position to complain.

Believe it or not, not everyone on Mumsnet is immediately confrontational. A lot of keyboard warriors on here I'm sure would have transformed into Mrs Doyle and starting rolling around on the floor fighting to prove a point over a scone.

But I tend to think that's not a good look for grown ups. I didn't pay for it so nothing lost, no need from drama. Pick your battles.

OP posts:

Princesspollyyy · 09/12/2025 09:13

@AfternoonTeaTotty

Wow… was only asking.

upsofloating · 09/12/2025 09:51

HappyFace2025 · 08/12/2025 22:21

Royal Lancaster Hotel. I think there'll be a Christmas special tea available now 🤗

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Thank you so much, HappyFace. That looks lovely.

MySilentLions · 09/12/2025 09:58

Princesspollyyy · 09/12/2025 09:13

@AfternoonTeaTotty

Wow… was only asking.

Yeah but you asked the same thing four times in one paragraph which can seem quite snippy and confrontational yourself!! So you deserved that back.

HappyFace2025 · 09/12/2025 10:45

upsofloating · 09/12/2025 09:51

Thank you so much, HappyFace. That looks lovely.

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Hope you have a lovely time x

NovemberMorn · 09/12/2025 12:01

AfternoonTeaTotty · 09/12/2025 08:31

Because I had my kids with me as well as DH and I didn't want to spoil it, they were having a good time. Plus I didn't pay for it so wasn't in too much of position to complain.

Believe it or not, not everyone on Mumsnet is immediately confrontational. A lot of keyboard warriors on here I'm sure would have transformed into Mrs Doyle and starting rolling around on the floor fighting to prove a point over a scone.

But I tend to think that's not a good look for grown ups. I didn't pay for it so nothing lost, no need from drama. Pick your battles.

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I agree with you. No point in spoiling a nice treat with an argument at the end of it...it defeats the purpose.
I would definitely leave a bad review though, that will hurt them more, and possibly alert the owner that he has staff on the fiddle (presumably) working there.

Princesspollyyy · 09/12/2025 15:36

@MySilentLions

😂😂😂

Theslummymummy · 09/12/2025 16:16

2 x 40 is not £90

Piggywaspushed · 09/12/2025 16:36

If you read the OP again, you will see Prosecco is charged on top.

Staybymw · 09/12/2025 16:38

AfternoonTeaTotty · 08/12/2025 06:38

Disclaimer: complete first world problem, that goes without saying. Not at all important in the big scheme of things.

I was gifted an afternoon tea voucher for myself and DH by a very lovely and amazing friend who knows I love going out for afternoon tea. She's a wonderful soul and so thoughtful so would never say anything at all to her because I truly appreciate her. We went and had a lovely time because it was just special to sit and enjoy a quiet moment of calm and relaxation. But...

Has anyone else noticed how much places are taking the p@!? when it comes to afternoon tea now? Used to be lovely scones, nice slices of cake, decent sandwiches, lovely pot of tea and maybe a glass of bubbles if it's a special occasion. Yesterday it was tiny, tiny sandwiches with odd fillings, tiny strange combination micro cakes which were just weird and tea that I'm sure was Tesco red label tea bags. A glass of prosecco that tasted like a £5.99 bottle special. Scones were good to be fair. But if we had paid for it, it would have been £40 each for this experience, so £90 for two of us 😮

There was a table next to us, a group of ladies who didn't look very impressed with the food but were trying not to say anything. Their bill would have easily been £400-500.

I completely get that places are struggling with the cost of everything but surely it would easier and cheaper to do an old style afternoon tea. With slices of cake and straightforward sandwich fillings? Less time and less fiddly.

Has social media killed this off now because everything has to be Instagram worthy instead of tasty? Since when did they charge so much for so little?

Plus it didn't help that the guy tried to charge me for the meal when we left despite knowing we were there on a gift voucher. Tried to charge me £50 saying he'd give me a discount. That was until I gave him the hard stare and reminded him it had already been paid for. He tried to insist but saw he wouldn't get anywhere so caved. Cheeky F@#!?#

Had a similar experience in a Hotel near Hammersmith/Kensington. The scones were warm and nice everything else was crap and small.

luckylavender · 09/12/2025 16:53

AfternoonTeaTotty · 08/12/2025 06:38

Disclaimer: complete first world problem, that goes without saying. Not at all important in the big scheme of things.

I was gifted an afternoon tea voucher for myself and DH by a very lovely and amazing friend who knows I love going out for afternoon tea. She's a wonderful soul and so thoughtful so would never say anything at all to her because I truly appreciate her. We went and had a lovely time because it was just special to sit and enjoy a quiet moment of calm and relaxation. But...

Has anyone else noticed how much places are taking the p@!? when it comes to afternoon tea now? Used to be lovely scones, nice slices of cake, decent sandwiches, lovely pot of tea and maybe a glass of bubbles if it's a special occasion. Yesterday it was tiny, tiny sandwiches with odd fillings, tiny strange combination micro cakes which were just weird and tea that I'm sure was Tesco red label tea bags. A glass of prosecco that tasted like a £5.99 bottle special. Scones were good to be fair. But if we had paid for it, it would have been £40 each for this experience, so £90 for two of us 😮

There was a table next to us, a group of ladies who didn't look very impressed with the food but were trying not to say anything. Their bill would have easily been £400-500.

I completely get that places are struggling with the cost of everything but surely it would easier and cheaper to do an old style afternoon tea. With slices of cake and straightforward sandwich fillings? Less time and less fiddly.

Has social media killed this off now because everything has to be Instagram worthy instead of tasty? Since when did they charge so much for so little?

Plus it didn't help that the guy tried to charge me for the meal when we left despite knowing we were there on a gift voucher. Tried to charge me £50 saying he'd give me a discount. That was until I gave him the hard stare and reminded him it had already been paid for. He tried to insist but saw he wouldn't get anywhere so caved. Cheeky F@#!?#

Your maths isn't the best

MySilentLions · 09/12/2025 17:13

Princesspollyyy · 09/12/2025 15:36

@MySilentLions

😂😂😂

Laugh all you like, doesn’t change the fact you were unpleasant.

Original poster

AfternoonTeaTotty · 09/12/2025 17:16

luckylavender · 09/12/2025 16:53

Your maths isn't the best

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You're right, oops!

£80 in total, not sure why I wrote £90! We had to look up the price on the website so either it was £40/person or £90 total (£45/each) can't remember which way round it was but the two together are clearly incorrect.

I'm going to blame the menopause brain fog and that's the story I'm sticking with. Got to be useful for something

😂😂🤣🤣

OP posts:

Sidebeforeself · 09/12/2025 17:27

HeadyLamarr · 08/12/2025 16:14

The posh, silver service Lady Betty's afternoon tea at Betty's in Harrogate or York is to die for. £45 per head and everything is freshly made and delicious. They offer extra sandwiches included if you want them, as well.

If I were a wealthy woman I'd go monthly.

The cakes are mass produced though

HeadyLamarr · 09/12/2025 17:52

Sidebeforeself · 09/12/2025 17:27

The cakes are mass produced though

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No, they are made at their outstanding bakery and hand finished. The bakery also does patisserie classes.

A big enough bakery to supply their 5 cafes and shops isn't exactly Mr Kipling mass production. The quality of ingredients is excellent and they do a superb job.

Sidebeforeself · 09/12/2025 19:35

But that’s not the same as freshly made

HeadyLamarr · 09/12/2025 19:39

Sidebeforeself · 09/12/2025 19:35

But that’s not the same as freshly made

They are freshly made each day and delivered to the shops. I've been. It's very impressive.

Sidebeforeself · 09/12/2025 19:41

So have I . I must have had a very different experience

DoodleSquad · 19/12/2025 07:14

We normally go out for a savoury afternoon tea. It includes slabs of cheese, slices of ham, pickle, coleslaw, pork pie, bread & butter, scotch egg, quiche and sausage roll followed by fruit scone with cream and jam and a lemon posset - everything home made and is stunning!