AUTUMN / WINTER 2019 COLLECTION
o f r e T m ea iT
Kent’s Most Enchanting High Tea... The BarnYard is the perfect setting to spend the afternoon indulging in our gorgeous high tea offering. Surrounded by 150 acres of picturesque landscape combining rolling hills, woodland & fruit orchards. Our special high tea begins with a selection of finger sandwiches & delicious savouries before then indulging in warm scones served with clotted cream & jam, delicious chocolate dipped strawberries & other sweet treats enjoyed with your choice of speciality teas or coffee & jugs of home-made lemonade.
01634 235059 - restaurant@the-barnyard.com - www.the-barnyard.com The BarnYard, Oak Lane, Upchurch, Sittingbourne, Kent. ME9 7EZ
Welcome Who doesn’t love the irresistible English tradition of Afternoon Tea? Here at MMM Media, we love popping out for this tasty treat, and if you do, too, then welcome to our second edition of Time for Tea – an elegant guide to some of the best servings in Kent. Afternoon Tea may be a quaint tradition, but in today’s world it comes in a host of guises for all manner of occasions – Cream, Champagne, Strawberry? They are all yours for the choosing. The surroundings are all-important, too, with many teas served in stylish traditional rooms full of marble and chandeliers, with others enjoyed amid a more modern atmosphere. In one venue inside, you can even sit at tables surrounded by teddy bears! Light bites range from fine finger sandwiches to scones oozing with jam and cream (which way round is still hotly debated), as well as cute cup cakes and luscious big cakes – often home-made. If you feel really peckish, then some venues offer sausage rolls and savoury tarts, too. When it comes to the drink itself, English Breakfast and Earl Grey teas are always favourite, with many more varieties available, including Peppermint, Darjeeling, Assam, Lapsang Souchong, Lemon and Ginger, Oolong, Summer Fruits, Camomile and other herbal and green teas. For something a little fizzier, you’ll find Champagne, Prosecco and even Kir Royale on the menu in these pages – and in one place a cheeky Pink Gin Spritz. Time for Tea has a range of venues for a great Afternoon Tea all mapped on the next page. And when you arrive for your sweet afternoon treat, please do tell the venue where you read about them!
@MediaMmm @mmm.magazine.kent @mmm_media_ltd
rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the All publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. ©MMM-Media Ltd 2019
Photo: Frederic Bistro, Maidstone
MMM Media Ltd 454 Tonbridge Road, Maidstone, Kent ME16 9JA t: 01622 299035 e: sales@mmm-media.com w: mmm-magazine.co.uk
A guide to finding the best Afternoon Tea in Kent 6
12
8
Mercure Great Danes
Bears Trading Co
Tudor Park Marriott Hotel
Margate Longfield West Malling
Whitstable
Rainham
Herne Bay
Faversham Canterbury Maidstone
Wingham Sandwich
Boughton Monchelsea Lenham 11 The Swan
9
Grafty Green
Dover
Ashford Hythe
The Hengist Tenterden 5 Chilston Park
4 | Time for Tea
10 Tiny Tea Room
Co
Lenham
Chilston Park Hotel There is no better place to enjoy the beloved tradition of Afternoon Tea than at this historic country house hotel
N
estled in the Kent countryside, Chilston Park Hotel delights guests with its afternoon tea. This great country house was built for pleasure, and it’s in the Marble Lounge with its beautiful chandeliers where this spirit is most prevalent. Here, you can allow yourself to be outrageously indulgent as you devour the selection of carefully prepared pastries, sandwiches and the finest leaf tea. For that extra special occasion, you can also choose to take Afternoon Tea in one of the private dining rooms. Parties of nine guests and over will be in a private function room and there is a £12.50 per head charge. Alternatively, two or more tables can be offered within the Lounge and Restaurant.
5 | Time for Tea
Chilston Park Hotel Sandway, Nr Lenham ME17 2BE @chilstonpark @chilstonparkhotel @ChilstonPark e enquiries.chilston@handpicked.co.uk w handpickedhotels.co.uk/chilstonpark OPENING HOURS Afternoon Tea served: 12.30pm-3.30pm
Hollingbourne
Mercure Maidstone Great DanesHotel
Enjoy Afternoon Tea against the backdrop of the scenic and picturesque Kentish countryside, just a stone’s throw from Leeds Castle Ashford Road Hollingbourne Nr Maidstone ME17 1RE 01622 528565
L
ying next door to lovely Leeds Castle, the Mercure Maidstone hotel is built around a Georgian country house with 26 acres of private grounds. Offering free parking, it is close to Maidstone at Junction 8 of the M20 motorway, in the heart of Kent, and has free high-speed Wi-Fi available. Mercure Maidstone provides a quiet and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy Afternoon Tea. On sunny afternoons, their summer terrace is perfect for taking in the stunning views of their grounds.
@mercuremaidstone @mercuremaidstone info@mercuremaidstone.co.uk e mercuremaidstone.co.uk w OPENING HOURS Breakfast Monday to Friday: 6.30am-9.30am Saturday: 7am-10am Sunday: 7.30am-10.30am
Please note, pictures are for illustration purposes only
Sunday Lunch 12.45pm-3pm Dinner Monday to Saturday: 6.30pm-9.30pm Sunday: 6.30-9pm Light meals from 10am Brasserie Menu from 11am Bottomless Prosecco Afternoon Tea Table available: 1pm-3pm or 2pm-4pm
6 | Time for Tea
TRADITIONAL AFTERNOON TEA IN KENT FOR £15 Why not indulge in a range of delicious treats this autumn? The Mercure Maidstone’s tasty Afternoon Tea includes: Tea or coffee ~ finger sandwich selection and strawberry tart ~ scones with cream and strawberry preserve ~ raspberry Bakewell tart ~ chocolate chip brownie ~ vanilla slice Upgrade to Prosecco Afternoon Tea (one glass) for £20 or Champagne Afternoon Tea (one glass) for £22. BOTTOMLESS PROSECCO AFTERNOON TEA FOR £29 Packed with a selection of sweet treats, sandwiches, fresh warm scones and tea and coffee, the Bottomless Prosecco Afternoon Tea is accompanied by free-flowing Prosecco or Rosé Prosecco for two hours, or Virgin Cocktails (if you drew the short straw and are driving!) Perfect for birthday, hen and anniversary celebrations. So whatever the celebration, raise a glass or two, or three at the Mercure! Available on the following Saturdays: 2019 – 5 October, 2 November 2020 – 4 January, 1 February T&Cs apply and booking is essential. SUNDAY LUNCH IN THE BRASSERIE – 2 COURSES £16.95 3 COURSES £19.95 The hotel also offers delicious Sunday Roasts in the Brasserie, overlooking the beautiful gardens, providing a superb venue to catch up with your friends and family. Enjoy a walk around the gardens after your meal and truly appreciate ‘The Garden of England’. Sunday lunch bookings are available from 12noon-3pm. 7 | Time for Tea
Bearsted
Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club The pristine surroundings and polished atmosphere set the stage for a quintessentially British Afternoon Tea experience Ashford Road Bearsted Nr Maidstone 01622 734334
E
xplore the countryside and acres of immaculate parkland of the Tudor Park Marriott Hotel & Country Club in the heart of Kent, just outside the county town of Maidstone. Upon arriving, indulge in a traditional Afternoon Tea menu featuring a tempting range of sandwiches and sweet treats, with scones that defy gravity and come with lashings of cream! You can also enjoy a choice of black, green, white, oolong and caffeine-free teas from the Twinings selection, or treat yourself and your guests to a lovely glass of Prosecco, sparkling rosé, Moet & Chandon Champagne, or a refreshing Gordon’s Pink Gin Spritz – all served in the bar lounge. If you are an Afternoon Tea connoisseur, you won’t be disappointed and can look forward to a truly special occasion. Tea available from 2-4pm daily, from £18.50 per person.
@tudorparkmarriothotel @tudorpark tudorpark.events@marriot.co.uk e marriott.co.uk w OPENING HOURS Restaurant open daily: 6.30pm-10.30pm Afternoon Tea served: 2pm-6pm
8 | Time for Tea
Aylesford
Hengist Restaurant
As a village bar and dining rooms, the Hengist offers a range of eating options, including delicious Afternoon Teas
T
he Hengist’s renovated 16th-century building retains traditional features as well as housing an elegant, modern restaurant and bar. The brasserie offers a relaxed dining area, and is often described as traditional British with a quirky eccentric twist – the perfect setting for an English Afternoon Tea! The use of the room changes throughout the day, with lunch also served from 12noon to 3pm, and dinner served until 9pm. The dishes are freshly made to order and include local ingredients. The restaurant also boasts comfortable banquette seating with an open fire and bar, as well as dedicated dining rooms. Afternoon Tea is priced at £20 per head and includes finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and cake. You can choose from is a range of teas – Peppermint, Camomile, Earl Grey, Lemon and Ginger and Summer Fruits among them. If you would like a sparkly drink to begin with, you can also enjoy a glass of Prosecco at £5.75 or a Kir Royale for £10, and there are several choices of types of coffee, at £2.50 a cup.
9 | Time for Tea
7-9 High Street Aylesford ME20 7AX 01622 885800 @TheHengist @hengistaylesford e info@hengistrestaurant.co.uk w hengistrestaurant.co.uk OPENING HOURS Sunday: 9am-7pm Monday to Thursday: 10am-11pm Friday & Saturday: 9am-12midnight
Canterbury
Tiny Tim’s Tearoom A quintessential English Tearoom in the heart of Canterbury
I
f it is an oasis of calm you desire, head to Tiny Tim’s Tea Room in Canterbury for their famous Kentish Cream Tea, served on a traditional 3-tiered stand offering little cakes and traditionally baked scones with all the trimmings. All of their products are made freshly from scratch and include no preservatives or additives. They know what goes into all of their food and are proud to source as much as they can from local producers and suppliers. Sit and relax in the chandelier lit rooms while taking time to enjoy one of the exquisite teas from a selection of over 30 different blends and read one of the daily newspapers. Visit Tiny Tim’s Tearooms to sample one of the best Afternoon Teas in Kent with freshly prepared sandwiches, warm home baked scones with lashings of clotted cream, and a tempting selection of our handmade baked goodies. Meet friends for an enticing mid-week lunch from the light menu including the chef’s special quiche, homemade hearty soups, large soft Huffkins filled with salt beef and horseradish or avocado and pesto, or treat yourself to their very own Eggs Chaucer. They have a good choice of Kentish wine, beer and cider to accompany your meal, or for special occasions Kent’s award winning sparkling wines.
34 St Margaret’s Street Canterbury CT1 2TG 01227 450793 @tinytimstearoom @tinytimstearoom tinytimstearoom.com w OPENING HOURS Monday to Saturday: 9.30am–5pm Sunday: 10.30am-4pm Bank holidays: 10.30am-4pm
10 | Time for Tea
West Malling
The Swan
Enjoy Afternoon Tea in one of the private dining rooms or in the beautiful garden on warmer days
F
or a special treat, indulge in a spot of Afternoon Tea at The Swan in West Malling. Served in the restaurant’s inviting private dining rooms, groups of 10 or more can enjoy a delicious spread of traditional favourites. The fabulous menu features delicate finger sandwiches with a range of fillings, savoury favourites such as sausage rolls and goat’s cheese and caramelised onion tart, plus a selection of tempting cakes – and, of course, freshly baked scones with Cornish clotted cream and seasonal berry jam. You’ll also enjoy plenty of tea and coffee. The traditional afternoon menu is priced at £18.50 per person, or you can make your celebration extra special with the Sparkling Afternoon Tea option, priced at £28.50 per person, which includes a seasonal fizz cocktail on arrival and a glass of Prosecco with your meal.
11 | Time for Tea
35 Swan Street West Malling ME19 6JU 01732 521918 @SwanWestMalling @swanwm e events@theswanwestmalling.co.uk w theswanwestmalling.co.uk OPENING HOURS Brunch Monday to Friday: 9am-11.45am Weekends: 10am-11.45am Lunch Monday to Saturday: 12noon-5.30pm Sunday: 12.30pm-5.45pm Dinner: Monday to Saturday: 5.30pm-10pm
Tankerton
The Bears Trading Company A unique gift shop, tea room & ice cream parlour in the heart of Tankerton, near Whitstable 134 Tankerton Road Tankerton Nr Whitstable CT5 2AN 01227 264950
O
nce you enter you will feel like you have been transported across the pond to a log cabin set in the heart of Yosemite park. Larch-clad walls, brick fireplaces and subtle lighting create a warm, inviting atmosphere for a great dining experience. Walk on through the Bears to discover the secluded and tranquil south-facing garden. Enjoy a Bears High Tea featuring a selection of freshly-made sandwiches, savouries, cakes and home-made scones with thick clotted cream and preserves, starting from £19.50. Booking is essential. Alternatively, just drop in for a menu of light snacks and lunches, home-made sweet treats and 14 varieties of beautiful ice cream. Save some time to explore the large array of gifts, cards and beautiful bears of all shapes and sizes. From the world famous Steiff bears to other collections, including Charlie Bear and Suki Silver tag limited edition bears, it’s a collector’s paradise.
@thebearstradingcompany @thebearstradingcompany thebearstradingcompany@gmail.com e thebearstradingcompany.co.uk w OPENING HOURS Monday: Closed Tuesday-Saturday: 9.30am-4pm Sunday: 10am -4pm
12 | Time for Tea
GT-TT_Bes
R E N O VAT E O R S I M P LY U P D AT E
I N A S L I T T L E A S A D AY
Worktop: Royal Ivory Splashback: Royal Ivory Doors: Matt Stone Grey Cambridge
Give your kitchen a stylish new look without going through all the disruption of ripping out your old one. Our bespoke worktops and replacement doors are made to cover existing surfaces precisely, leaving a hardwearing and luxurious finish.
For a free consultation please visit or call our Maidstone showroom: 01622 469 541 Newnham Court Shopping Village, Bearsted Road, Maidstone ME14 5LH trend-transformations.co.uk/maidstone
13 | Time for Tea
GT-TT_Best Places to Dine_210x210_3.indd 1
09/09/2019 12:59