[Afternoon Tea Edition] Indulge in a Noble Castle Afternoon Tea – Affordable Yet Luxurious UK Castle Stay (Part 5)

In my previous article, I introduced the English breakfast and morning atmosphere at Thornbury Castle. This time, I’ll report on the unforgettable afternoon tea experience at this castle.

[Morning Edition] Full English Breakfast in a Real Castle! Feel Like Royalty Without Breaking the Bank – UK Castle Stay Guide (Part 4)

To share my personal impression upfront, this was the best afternoon tea I’ve experienced in England so far. The reason isn’t just the taste, but also the special atmosphere of being in a medieval castle that greatly enhanced the experience.

The Afternoon Tea Experience

Our afternoon tea reservation was for 2 PM. After breakfast, we leisurely explored the castle while building up our appetite, spending the time with growing anticipation.

Stepping into the venue, we were enveloped in an elegant atmosphere. The antique furniture, luxurious carpets, and soft light streaming through the large windows created a space that looked like a painting.

Menu Contents

Thornbury Castle’s afternoon tea is offered at £40. While this might seem slightly expensive compared to prices in many other countries, considering the cost of living in England, it’s not an excessively high price point.

The menu I enjoyed was as follows:

Savories – Sandwiches

• Cucumber & Cream Cheese
• Egg Mayonnaise & Cress
• Ham, Whole Grain Mustard & Tomato
• Smoked Salmon

Sweets

• Caramel & Banana Choux
• Strawberry & Basil Cake
• White Chocolate & Apricot Macaron
• Rhubarb Fritter

Scones

• Plain Scones
• Fruit Scones
• Cornish Clotted Cream & Strawberry Jam

For tea, I ordered Thornbury’s Radiant Rose for the first half and Forest Estate for the second half of our experience.

Flavor Impressions

Now, I’d like to share my impressions of the afternoon tea flavors.

First, all the sandwiches were fresh and flavorful. The smoked salmon sandwich was particularly impressive. Its moderate saltiness and smoky aroma matched perfectly with the tea.

The sweets were both visually appealing and delicious, with the strawberry & basil macaron making a particular impression. The perfect balance between the sweetness of the fruit and the freshness of the herb was a delightful new taste discovery. Personally, I recommend the choux pastry. The rich caramel seemed to hack my brain through my taste buds – a sweet treat that made my cheeks drop in delight.

The scones were perfectly baked – crisp on the outside and moist on the inside. The richness of the clotted cream harmonized beautifully with the sweet and tangy homemade strawberry jam.

Special Set: Garden Tour

On this day, a special set was available for £45, which included a garden tour by the gardener. I felt it was an exceptional value to add just £5 to the regular afternoon tea for a guided garden tour by an expert, so I reserved this in advance as well.

I plan to introduce the details of the garden in my next article, but it was a truly luxurious experience to stroll through the garden while listening to explanations about the garden’s history dating back to medieval times, rare plants, and the dedication that goes into garden creation.

Tips for Maximizing Your Afternoon Tea Experience

1. Allow plenty of time: Plan for at least 1.5-2 hours. It would be a shame to rush through the experience.

2. Enjoy different tea varieties: Thornbury Castle offers multiple types of tea. Try different kinds rather than sticking to just one.

3. Enjoy the castle atmosphere: Enjoy not just the food but also the surroundings. Observe the view from the windows and the antique furnishings.

4. Enjoy conversations with the staff: The staff are knowledgeable about the castle’s history and the food being served. If you’re confident in your English, it’s good to ask about points that interest you.

5. Check for special sets: Look for special options like the garden tour set I experienced. Depending on the season, they may also have Halloween or Christmas campaigns.

Final Thoughts

The afternoon tea at Thornbury Castle was more than just a meal. Delicious light food and sweets, quality tea, and above all, the special space of a medieval castle. All these combined to create an unforgettable memory. When traveling to England, I highly recommend experiencing afternoon tea at Thornbury Castle. You’ll spend a truly special time enjoying top-class hospitality and delicious food in a historic castle.

In my next article, I’ll introduce in detail the secrets of Thornbury Castle’s beautiful gardens. Look forward to the charm of these gardens with their long history!

Book your stay at Thornbury Castle at the best price here!