Capturing the spirit of the children’s classic Swallows and Amazons in an afternoon tea is pure genius – and something to treasure at the Langdale Chase Hotel.
With a panoramic view over Windermere, the setting is perfect for our Swallows and Amazons delight. Sailing boats pass by, along with the Windermere cruises, creating the ideal backdrop for this magical meal.
The selectoin of beautiful dishes were enhance by the cobalt blue design of the specially commissioned plates for this banquet of treats. Designed and created by Cumbrian potter Fiona May, the blue swallows in flight are captured in the crockery. At the corner of the table is a heritage marine telescope to keep a lookout for the Amazon approaching. The attention to detail in the set-up of this afternoon tea is second to none.
Classic book inspires chic cuisine
This unique afternoon tea is overseen by the Langdale Chase Hotel’s Executive Chef Michael Cole and his team of talented chefs who have created something special. The menu reflects the food the children in the book ate, however, I doubt anything Titty and her siblings could have even imagined let alone created.
Our starters set the tone immediately. The cucumber sandwiches, with mint and yoghurt, were refreshing. The Pemican beef, horseradish and red onion sandwich has a bite and excitement and, the smoked salmon and beetroot with cream cheese sandwich is a perfect combination of salt and sweet. And the Chopped egg, shallot and watercress sandwich is light and fresh.
The savouries were mouthfuls of pure pleasure. I am a savoury fan, and my tastebuds were amazed at what we experienced next. The lobster roll with siracha hollandaise was a mouthful of rich sea flavours and indulgent creaminess.
A fan of the toasted crumpet, this freshly baked version was raised by the local potted shrimps and mace butter. The Cheddar doughnut with cheese custard and truffle was a thick, luxurious mouthful.
However, my personal favourite was the crispy ham hock, with English mustard pickle – the saltiness and crunch of the ham combined with the sweetness of the pickle was perfection. If I had ended my meal here I would have been totally satisfied.
The palette cleaner of goat cheese custard was beautifully service in a porcelain egg, and its slight sharpness rejuvenated my mouth for the sweet course.
The presentation of the fancies was stunning, with a swallow adorning the rice pudding and jam, gold leaf on the gooseberry choux and the hazelnut of the apple dish. These were displayed on a board carved with the swallow motif.
Sweet treats to enjoy with a view over Windermere
The gooseberry choux had just the right amount of tarty zing. The Apple and hazelnut had a refreshing flavour and crisp pastry, and Titty’s bun loaf had the ideal amount of warmth from the ginger.
I confess I don’t like rice pudding, but I adored the rice pudding and jam fancy on this menu. The creaminess and texture were nothing like the rice puddings I’d previously been forced to eat. This I could devour any and every day.
For me, the standout fancy was the chocolate and marmalade – the dark chocolate foam was intense and peaked by the orange marmalade.
The beauty of these fancies and this afternoon tea is that it isn’t pure sugar you are tasting, it is the combinations of fruity and sweetness of the carefully combined fresh produce.
Freshly baked scones to complete the perfect afternoon tea
It wouldn’t be afternoon tea without the scones, and these warm, freshly baked handmade scones with golden sultanas were served with clotted cream and a strawberry preserve. They were so light they could have floated away with the clouds outside which parted to provide the final backdrop of blue sky and sunshine.
And we can’t forget the tea. The mint blend was refreshing and had a real depth of flavour. This and the refreshing Breakfast Tea were from tea specialists Tregothnan.
The dining room where we enjoyed this magical meal was calm and peaceful and the service was warm and welcoming.
The Swallows and Amazons inspired afternoon tea at The Langholme Chase is special, and would make the perfect Christmas gift for someone who appreciates great food, service and setting.
- Thank you to the Langdale Chase Hotel for inviting us to afternoon tea.
- Booking is essential for this afternoon tea.
- For more details and to book visit their website https://www.langdalechase.co.uk/.
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