If there is one thing I love doing with friends, it's going for afternoon tea and this was all started by my Nan a few years ago. My Nan took all her grand-daughters for afternoon tea and we had such a lovely time that it has become something I do quite regularly now, it's just a really great way to spend time with the ones I love. The White Horse in Romsey have recently been awarded highly commended in the Afternoon Tea Awards 2018 so with that in mind, I spent a rainy afternoon curled up in a huge armchair with friends sipping tea and eating warm scones.
We were seated in the beautifully cosy Tudor room with huge leather sofas, armchairs and a fire which would be perfect come the winter. The White Horse has been Romsey's main inn since medieval times and the surviving timber is thought to date from 1450. The White Horse is incredibly rich in history and I can't wait to delve into its background more but for now I'm talking scones, cake and of course tea.
After we took our seats we were explained the menu by our friendly server and given a few minutes to decide on what tea to drink. There was a huge selection of tea from black to white and green tea to red, herbal and even popcorn! I opted for a flat white, which was one of the best flat whites I've had in ages while the girls ordered Earl Grey and Breakfast Tea which came out in huge china teapots. While we sipped our tea, we were also treated to some complimentary cocktails which was such a lovely touch before our sandwiches came out.
The Afternoon Tea Menu
Finger sandwiches
Egg & mustard cress
Hot smoked Chalk Stream trout & horseradish
Traditional cucumber
Honey roasted ham & mustard mayonnaise
Freshly baked fruit or plain scone
with Dorset clotted cream, lemon curd
and strawberry preserve
Cakes and pastries
Scaher Torte white chocolate sponge with strawberry jam and berry mirror glaze
Chocolate Delice
Lemon Custard Mille Feuille
Shortbread Millionaire
Fruit & Nut Flapjack
Macaroons with strawberry & cream cheese
Passionfruit Jaffa Cake
We started with a selection of sandwiches, I do love a finger sandwich and the egg and mustard cress was exceptional. Sandwiches down, we were soon ready for something a little sweeter. The afternoon tea cake selection was presented so well, it really was something special and as it was brought into us our faces lit up and I know for sure I said wow.
I started with the scones which were still warm, layered with clotted cream and strawberry preserve. The big question? Do you take your cream first or jam? I'm a cream then jam kinda girl and they were so delicious, I think scones are hands down my favourite part about afternoon teas.
The selection of cakes and pastries were fab, some chocolate, some fruity and some delicate sweet bites of heaven. It was thoroughly enjoyable and The White Horse even come prepared with cake boxes so I could take home what I couldn't fit in although I was nice and passed them on to Arran who loved them. We've already spoken about heading back together.
I spent such a wonderful afternoon with friends and as we sat eating our scones we made plans to come for afternoon tea at Christmas and sip mulled wine in front of a roaring open fire. It was one of the best afternoon tea experiences I've had, I could not fault it from the venue to the service and of course the food. It was really quite special and for a really affordable price too.
If you're looking for so much more than just afternoon tea, book yours now at The White Horse in Romsey, you really won't regret it - The White Horse - Afternoon Tea
Complimentary afternoon tea for the purpose of review - see disclaimer.