Afternoon Tea at Normanton Park Hotel for Two

Booked afternoon tea for two as part of wife’s 60th birthday celebration day. Upon arrival we were led through the empty function rooms to the conservatory that looks over the garden and reservoir. Very dated decor and dirty window sills covered in dead flies are the first things you notice. My wife mentioned the flies to the waiter and the response was “yeah I know” as if he’s said it a thousand times. As it was already paid for we reluctantly decided to stay. The food arrived and the tea, but there was the nagging thought that if they can’t supply a way of getting sugar lumps out of a bowl then how many fingers have been in that bowl. You start to question the hygiene standards. The food was alright for what there was. The sandwiches were quite dry and very cold, Scones were warm, were asked if we wanted butter for them rather than it being on the plates which along with the rest of the crockery didn’t match and the cutlery was for lunch. Cakes were quite dry, cheesecake disintegrated when trying to take off the stand. Apparently the couple that arrived on the table behind me looked more disappointed than us! Overall a disappointing experience that was supposed to be a treat.

Loved the setting and the tea was fab, however we were sat side by side by the fire exit so both looking out rather than at each other. That was the only minus

We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon tea experience in a quiet hotel with a fantastic view over Rutland water.. service was first class and we had all the time we needed to relax and enjoy . We all said we would do it again tomorrow!

Had a lovely afternoon at the Normanton Park Hotel