What with the Queens Jubilee last year along with London hosting the Olympics, 2012 felt a good time to be British. This year will see the arrival of the newest Royal and so our focus on all things that make Britain Great is set to continue along with some of our more traditional customs such as afternoon tea. A ritual introduced into Britain in the early 1840’s it is intended as a small meal in the afternoon in anticipation of, and to stem the hunger before the evening meal. So what better way to be served your afternoon tea than one which has been prepared by one of the Queens own former chefs themselves (Des Sweeney) in one of Nottingham’s most beautiful houses – Woodborough Hall.
The picturesque current hall was built-in 1660 on the site of the original fortress named Udeburg which dates back to around the 7th century. In old Saxon ‘Ude’ means ‘Wood’ and ‘Burg’ means ‘fort’. This hall, which is now a hotel and restaurant, is situated just a few miles from the centre of Nottingham on Bank Hill in Woodborough, and is now well-known for fantastic evening meals and Sunday lunches as well as being a wonderful setting for weddings but is also aiming to put the ritual back into afternoon tea.
You can sit back, relax and enjoy the ambiance in the grand Orangery which was rebuilt in 2004. On a summer’s day this is the perfect spot to enjoy the weather and the stunning view out over the grounds. Staff provide outstanding service providing you with tea from a fine pot poured in to delicate bone china cups along with a selection of quality sandwiches including cheese, salmon, egg mayonnaise and peppered beef prepared as Chef Sweeney would have at Buckingham palace – crusts removed. Once you’ve polished of those you can tuck in to a mouth-watering selection of pastries, ours included a rich chocolate chip cake, a soft sweet sponge and of course delicious buttery scones served with fresh cream and jam.
At £16 per person it doesn’t cost a queens ransom so go on spoil yourself, let yourself be treated like Royalty.
For reservations call 0115 9654466
By Tanya Raybould
