Top Of The Pots Afternoon Tea in Northumberland

My wife wanted to treat us to a special afternoon tea. Not being able to get a booking at The Cookie Jar or any of The Running Fox, she booked Doxford Hall. On arrival we given some vague directions by Reception to find our own way to a room where a piece of A4 paper with our name on it denoted where we to sit. No offer of a choice of where to have our Tea, despite it being a beautiful day outside. The room where we endured our experience was akin to a silent Doctors waiting room. With only one other couple and a single guest, you could have heard a pin drop. No music, no chatter and a complete absence of atmosphere. The only thing that could be heard was the buzzing of several flies and wasps! The “tea” eventually arrived and compared to others we have had, it was really disappointing. The sandwiches were made from shop bought loaves with little filling. The sandwiches must have been all cut together as all the flavours contaminated each other (see menu pic) . So horseradish, mixed with, coronation, mint and eggs is a strange combo! The scones were ok but the other sweet treats were dry and over complicated. I just wish my spoon could get to the the bottom of the rhubarb trifle! Most disappointing to the Mrs was the presentation. The crockery used was the same you’d expect in a roadside cafe, not afternoon tea at a 4* hotel. (See pic) In terms of the actual Tea, teabags for posh afternoon tea….. really! After concluding our tea, again no staff to request the bill, so I asked at reception to pay and was told to find the bar in the middle of the hotel and go pay there. So after a self directed tour of the place, we eventually found someone to take our money. They didn’t ask how our experience was and clearly they didn’t care. So hopefully others will read this and wait for a table at the Cookie Jar or The Running Fox. £45, not well spent!