Afternoon Tea for Two in Brighton

Staff Review: Stanmer House Afternoon Tea

The day had arrived when Willow and I were going for an afternoon tea at Stanmer House. We were very excited, not to mention hungry after having purposely prevented snacking so we had enough appetite to enjoy all the afternoon tea. 

With our office being based in Brighton, we were in the perfect location to drive down to Stanmer House, which is located on the outskirts of Brighton. Even though this is what the map says, when driving down the long country drive, we didn’t feel like we were in a city. There had been a secret gem hiding on our doorstep, which we were oblivious to until today! When we reached the manor house, we went into the car park area. This was located next to the house and meant taking a short walk, perfect for when the weather is brisk - and living in England, most of our days are chilly!

The acres of greenery opposite Stanmer House were beautiful, and Willow and I couldn’t help but look around the landscape before heading inside. As we walked in, we were greeted by a gentleman at a podium with the list of reservations. We were a little early, so were asked to sit in the cosy and very nicely decorated waiting area. The room was full of unique furniture, including some very inviting tall velvet chairs. A short amount of time passed before we were called and our table was ready. As we walked through to the dining room, there was a busy environment, filled with laughter and conversation. Lots of stands filled with cakes, scones and petite sandwiches made our eyes scan the room with anticipation. The tables were laid with white pristine table cloths, serviettes, cups ready for tea, and glasses for water. All the waiters and waitresses were dressed in formal, matching uniforms and were very polite and smiley when asking if we wanted to know their selection of fruit tea or if we would like English breakfast tea. 

Our tea pot arrived, and as we sipped, we enjoyed the gorgeous view through the long Victorian windows. After a short wait, our tower of treats was in sight! The attention to detail in the presentation was amazing, from the watercress on the sandwiches, to the cut strawberries in between the cakes. 

The selection of filled sandwiches included ham salad and mustard, cream cheese and cucumber – which was very refreshing – and finally, egg and watercress. My personal favourite was the ham sandwich. Before this experience, I didn’t like mustard, but combined with the ham and salad, it was very yummy! 

After devouring the sandwiches, we moved onto the second tier of two freshly baked fruit scones, which were bigger than my fist! The scone was still warm as I cut through it, and I started to spread the strawberry jam from its own little glass pot - I must be Cornish at heart! Willow, however, went for the Devonian method, and decided to spread the generous scoop of clotted cream first. The scones were very filling, so to make sure I had room for the final plate, I had to stop myself from finishing the second half! The cake selection was exquisite, featuring coffee and walnut cake, lemon cake, chocolate squares, and macaroons. Willow and I – both having a sweet tooth - were in heaven. The strawberries were a great touch to finish off the experience, leaving us with a refreshing taste. 

Overall, the afternoon tea was delightful, and the remarkable interior design meant that we could talk and enjoy our assortment of food for hours. We definitely took advantage of the constant refilling of tea, and left Stanmer House feeling like queens. This is an enjoyable experience to be shared with a friend or loved one as you catch up over tea and cake. 

Thank you to Stanmer House for inviting us to your afternoon tea! We had a fabulous time, and even though the office wasn’t impressed that we didn’t bring any cake back, we enjoyed every mouthful! 

Partner Interview: Stanmer House - Afternoon Teas

Ever dreamed of being whisked away to a scenic manor house for a luxurious afternoon tea? Well,  so have we and we have the perfect answer for it...

Stanmer House, located in Brighton, offers an exceptional afternoon tea experience for two, one with the option of prosecco!

We asked Rob, part of the Stanmer House team,  a few questions to find out just how dreamy their experience really is…

1. Do you know any history of the 18th Century Georgian Manor House? 

Stanmer can trace its history back to 1722, and earlier. Built for the Pelham Family, who owned it until 1947, and set in Stanmer Park – the City’s largest park – Stanmer House is the perfect venue for all seasons.  Stanmer Park is located near Brighton and consists of 5,000 hectares of wooded and open land.  It is mainly open access for walking.  The village, with its flint-knapped cottages, was built in the mid-eighteenth century by the Earls of Chichester.

The knapped flint church is Grade 2 listed and has a particularly special interior with original carvings and fittings. It was built in 1838, but records of a church here go back to the 13th century and it has been a place of worship since the 8th century. 

In 765 AD, Aedwulf, King of Sussex, granted the Stanmer Estate to the Canon Monks of St Michael in South Malling, near Lewes. There is archaeological evidence, however, that there was human habitation in the area as early as the Bronze Age – dating back to around 1500 B.C.

2. What makes Sussex such a good location for Stanmer House?

Stanmer House is almost 300 years old and sits at the gateway to the south downs national park; Unspoiled (grade 2 listed) parkland, open access countryside and ancient woodland. On Brighton’s doorstep, Stanmer boasts ample (free) customer parking and is the perfect setting for a wide range of events. The Stanmer House Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and Sunday Roasts. 

3. Why is Afternoon Tea at Stanmer House unique to other Afternoon Teas? 

A quintessentially English afternoon tea served in the stunning, formal dining rooms with original Corinthian columns and plaster-work ceilings – and, of course, roaring open fires in ornate fireplaces. 

4. What are your favourite cakes/sandwiches from the Afternoon Tea? 

Try our home made fancies, or the delicious beef and horseradish finger sandwiches

5. Do you have any future plans for Stanmer House?

The house has been recently restored, and there is an ongoing programme of development – including the addition of 21 hotel rooms. The parkland is about to benefit from a £3.75m restoration with additional parking and a new bridal way. 

6. Have you had any unique events/afternoon teas at Stanmer House? 

Stanmer House offers a wide range of events, including the popular Jazz dining experiences and Kids Fest – summer holiday activities for kids – including the Big Teddy Bears picnic and the themed Afternoon Tea parties 

A huge thank you to Rob and the Stanmer House team for a fantastic interview! I can’t think of a better way to treat a loved one or to indulge yourself than with a deliciousss afternoon tea!