Perrier Jouet champagne afternoon tea in the enchanting setting of Stanwell House Hotel on Lymington High Street

HOUSED in a beautiful Georgian property on Lymington’s sloping high street, Stanwell House is an enchanting setting for any dining experience; but for afternoon tea it’s pretty perfect.

Many of us like to partake in the time honoured British tradition of an afternoon tea, and the bright and charming orangery at Stanwells, with its vaulted glass ceiling and plush seating delivering sumptuous comfort, is an elegant space in which to do so.

The hotel underwent a multi-million revamp last year, and it is certainly evident in the chic decor and luxurious furnishings, which do well to create a welcoming and homely vibe.

From the orangery we are afforded views of the adjacent Samphire Restaurant, where bold, bright pink wallpaper and emerald green seating clash beautifully to set a playful, yet elegant tone.

Soon enough, our assortment of dainty finger sandwiches, scones and pretty pastries arrives on a three-tiered stand, as is the way, along with a flute of Perrier Jouet champagne, Royal style.

The fizz was a delight, its crisp fruit flavours and floral aromas making it the ideal partner for afternoon tea. As part of Stanwell’s new collaboration with Perrier Jouet, the hotel has recently launched a show-stopping champagne bar in the orangery. It’s a great spot to raise a toast, indulge in a weekend cocktail or settle down for a coffee catch-up with friends.

A quartet of cheese and Stanwell’s own chutney, egg and cress, cucumber and cream cheese, and ham, the sandwiches were a little shy on filling but very flavoursome.

The scones, still warm and accompanied by three pots containing clotted cream, jam, and lemon curd, were exceptional.

Both plain and raisin, they had a beautiful rise, golden shiny tops delivering a delightful crunch, and a soft and fluffy interior. Topped with silky smooth cream and a vibrant dollop of raspberry jam - which could have done with being a bit thicker to avoid it sliding off the side - they tasted heavenly.

Sweet treats included vanilla macarons, mini choux buns, chocolate mousse and lemon cake, which I worked my way through with a pot of Stanwell’s own tea blend.

A French favourite, the choux buns were crammed with a smooth vanilla crème patissiere and decorated with colourful edible flowers and raspberries. Featherlight and with a delicate texture, these were a melt-in-the-mouth delight.

The macarons, another French delicacy, were exceptionally pretty with their perfectly round, glossy meringue shells, a pristine shade of ivory striped with dark chocolate. Light as air, these dainty little cookies had a soft and chewy texture with great crunch to the casing.

Little pots of chocolate mousse, rounded off with a swirl of thick cream and chopped, bitter-sweet chocolate, gave variation to the spread. Cool, velvety smooth, and with an almost fudgey, well rounded chocolate flavour, they were decadent in the extreme and a real highlight for me.

The lemon cake, while still tasty, was slightly lacklustre in comparison. The icing tasted too buttery - some would say not a bad thing but for me it needed a little something to cut through the fat.

Throughout our tea, it must be noted the service was exceptional - friendly, attentive, polite and professional.

Afternoon tea at Stanwell House is a traditional affair, paying homage to the classics, within a setting that manages to be both cosy and luxurious, elegant yet relaxing.

A Perrier Jouet champagne afternoon tea costs £40.

For more information or to book, visit www.stanwellhouse.com

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