REVIEW: Chiseldon House Hotel's Afternoon Tea in a Box

As quoted by American author Henry James “There are few hours in life more agreeable than the hour dedicated to the ceremony known as afternoon tea.” And after trying Chiseldon House’s ‘Afternoon Tea In A Box’ it’s safe to say this is as true a statement as any.

Dating back to the year 1840, afternoon tea is the most quintessential of English customs, so when I was asked to review a takeaway afternoon tea from the outstanding Chiseldon House, it was a no-brainer.

Based in the quaint area of Chiseldon, Swindon’s Chiseldon House is an award-winning country house hotel set in the stunning Marlborough Downs in the heart of Wiltshire’s beautiful countryside.

With 21 en-suite bedrooms and an award-winning restaurant, it is the perfect place to enjoy a weekend full of fun, relaxation, and mouth-watering food and drink.

Amidst a year full of unprecedented surprises at every turn, Chiseldon House have re-invented afternoon tea by offering a takeaway service that brings the exciting delights of their kitchen directly into your home.

Priced at £20 per box, each traditional afternoon tea is served in a stylish recyclable stand and  consists of three finger sandwiches, two scones served with Devonshire clotted cream and strawberry jam, and three different cakes for you to enjoy.

So, what did we make of our afternoon tea at home experience?

The Sandwiches

Sandwiches are a key part of any afternoon tea, injecting a savoury bite into a meal compromising of sweet treats.

Included in the Chiseldon House package are three delicate finger sandwiches each bursting with flavour that tantalises the tastebuds.

Oak smoked salmon with chive and lemon crème fraiche, Wiltshire cured ham and grain mustard, and finally, a traditional Cream cheese and cucumber sandwich.

As I tucked into the trio of sandwiches you immediately notice the freshness of their locally sourced ingredients that ooze strong flavours that envelop the mouth with every chew.

The smoked salmon was intense but balanced well with the chive and lemon filling to take away the sharpness that comes with this fresh fish, whilst their cured ham was beautifully thick and simply melted in the mouth as the mustard provided some welcomed heat.

I’m not a fan of cucumber however the cream cheese combination worked well to provide an exciting taste that saw me eat all three sandwiches in quick succession.

The Cakes

By far the best part of any afternoon tea experience is the cakes. And Chiseldon House’s trio of sweet treats certainly didn’t disappoint.

Serving up a wedge of lemon drizzle, coffee and walnut, and a crystallised carrot and buttercream cake, this was as extravagant as any afternoon tea experience I have had.

The lemon and drizzle cake was by far my favourite as its spongy texture was partnered with sugary lemon undertones to give a fluffy mouth-feeling that excited my pallet.

The carrot cake was beautifully decorated and strong but not overwhelming in taste, making each bite feel like a treat to my tastebuds, whilst the traditional coffee and walnut loaf provided a savoury note that was different but all the same delicious.

The Scones

Everyone loves a scone, and luckily inside this afternoon tea you are given two massive scones to take home and enjoy. With one plain and one sultana scone included in every box, along with generous sized pots of clotted cream and strawberry preserve, this was the best part of my fantastic meal.

Provided with instructions to heat the scones up for five minutes inside a 180C oven, each was beautifully golden with a crisp exterior and fluffy light interior. Spreading the cream on first followed by a dollop of jam, the scones were gone within no time as our sweet cravings were satisfied with every bite bringing with it a luxurious taste packed with sweetness.

I’ve sampled many afternoon teas in my time, but the scones provided by Chiseldon house were easily the most delicious I have ever tasted.

In conclusion, whether it’s that you’re not yet ready to leave the safety of your own home, or if you simply want to enjoy an afternoon tea from the comfort of your sitting room with family and friends, one thing for sure is that Chiseldon House are experts in concocting the perfect afternoon tea, with their takeaway boxes providing the perfect all-round experience.

Find out more about Chiseldon House Hotel HERE!