The most important part of afternoon tea: the actual food, is an absolute miss, none of it was nice. The sandwiches were not fresh, the desserts were overly sweet and just not right - it all tasted old, wilted and refrigerated. I would not be back even with a free pass. It was a very disappointing (and expensive!) experience. Yes, there is the beautiful building, piano music and silverware but it all seems just an empty shell when the food is so low grade.
Lucy Colleer
I was very impressed by my first experience of afternoon tea at Pennyhill Park. All of the staff were friendly and attentive and quick to make accommodations for my mum who is not mobile. We tried several flavours of tea, all delicious, and the food was incredible. The restaurant is stunning and we were delighted to have a pianist too. We will certainly be visiting again!
Heather Jones
Spectacular service, food and setting
LightPacker36695
Visited with my husband for my 50th birthday treat. The whole experience was lovely. The hotel was so welcoming with the even the lampposts dressed for Christmas. The fire was burning in the lobby. The hill field room for afternoon tea was elegant. The staff subtle yet always there to help. The choice of teas was varied I had Christmas blend which was fabulous. The sandwiches were all lovely and it was hard to pick a favourite tho if I had to I would say the trout. The Christmas cake selection was amazing. The chocolate and cherry desserts lovely. Scones were the lightest I have ever eaten and divine served warm. Would highly recommend booking afternoon tea at PennyHill tho it may leave you wanting to stay at the hotel too, I know I want to know. A fabulous venue I will return to.
Michael S
We had a very tasty afternoon tea at Pennyhill Park. A good choice of sandwiches, warm scones and pastry items with an excellent variety of teas to choose from. All served in lovely setting by a very pleasant member of staff.
Robin H
Yesterday I took my husband for Afternoon Tea at Pennyhill Park to celebrate his 70th birthday. I was very impressed when we arrived; the only disabled parking space was in use, but when the young man at the door realised that we had a Blue Badge he lowered one of the bollards so we could park, and he then escorted us down to the lounge where tea was served. But after that things went downhill ….. We were greeted by a young lady who took us to a table and then took our order. The tea, sandwiches & cake were brought to the table and the sandwiches were very nice. The scones aren’t brought out with everything else because they are keeping them warm. Unfortunately the service wasn’t very good; the original lady had disappeared and we now had a waitress looking after us – but she was rarely there, just kept popping back from time to time, so we had to sit & wait for her to put in another appearance. I know it was a Monday and there were only four tables having Afternoon Tea, but there should still be someone on hand at all times. Eventually we were served our scones – and they were awful; hard & dry! So hard, I needed water to be able to swallow it. The (very small) portion of cream we were each given was rock-hard, so very difficult to spread – and although we wanted more cream we were again in the position of not having anybody to request it from. The idea of scones with cream & jam is that there is a thick layer of cream – but their portions were so small we had to spread it thin, like a layer of butter. The cakes looked delicious but, after trying one each, we decided to take the rest of them home, so I asked the waitress to bring the bill and box the cakes to take home. She came back a few minutes later with the credit card machine – and two partially made up cake boxes (the kind that look like little handbags) which she dumped on the table. So I pay £113 and they can’t even be bothered to box up the cakes for us – really?!!!!! We had a small table that was already full (2 teapots, 2 glasses, 2 cups & saucers, 2 plates & a cake stand) and now we’re having to juggle 2 flimsy boxes and put the cakes in without dropping or breaking them! We usually go to Coworth Park for special occasion afternoon teas – and if you ask to take their cakes home the cake stand is whisked away & the waitress will come back with the boxes already packed. Perhaps the management of this restaurant should go there for afternoon tea and see how things should be done! Needless to say, we won’t be returning and I certainly wouldn’t recommend here for afternoon tea.
Getaway08624697871
I was a little unsure considering the negative reviews here, but my friend and I genuinely had a lovely day! The afternoon tea was great. We were offered secondary plates of sandwiches and they were all fresh. Scones, jam and clotted cream were also fluffy and delicious. Service for us was excellent, especially as they catered for my friend with a separate afternoon tea for her nut allergy. They were also accomodating for a baby. The setting was also great, very cosy and relaxing. Seeing as there were lots of off putting reviews, I wanted to put this one here to say it was great for us. Although it was a voucher gift, it would be worth the £50 each. We also weren't asked to pay a tip as part of the voucher and even if we were I wouldn't have minded as it is clearly stated on both the menu/voucher.
Aashish K
Great food and service
Martine Young
While the food was delicious, the room in which it was served also doubles as the bar, and somehow spoils the experience. The staff was polite, moderately attentive and could be dressed with a more corporate uniform. One on them wore jeans. When booking an expensive tea, all these aspects are important. This afternoon tea is expensive and not best value for money compared to other venues charging a similar price.
CharlieBuffYateley
Although cakes aren’t really my thing, I was treated with a voucher for 4 for my birthday but what ruined it was playing £80 for the cheapest bottle of Cava (who drinks that anymore - it’s Prosecco not dry old cava!) and then being charged 10% service charge on top of the whole bill, INCLUDING the voucher cost! If someone uses a voucher and doesn’t bring any money, what happens when they get the bill as the voucher was paid for six months ago!? The sandwiches were nice, and we did ask for more but did not like the egg as bread was too sweet. The cakes were very nice as were the staff but would not recommend. I know the staff deserve a tip but should not have been on a prepaid voucher. Feel totally ripped off
Just been to Pennyhill Park for an afternoon cream tea. Restaurant was ok, pleasant table over looking the pool area. We were shown our table and then left for some considerable time. I had given my friend a voucher for her birthday, on asking if we could have a glass of champagne seemed to caused confusion for the waitress. Finally after the restaurant superior / mgr arrived we were offered a sparkling wine each (our choice) - £17 a glass! The tea, finger sandwiches and cakes arrived soon afterwards! Can’t fault the food but seemed to forget about the scones and palate cleanser until we mentioned it. Staff although pleasant did least interaction and didn’t really make you feel it was a special occasion!
Martine Y
When booking an expensive afternoon tea, there are three considerations: the quality of the food, how pleasant and welcoming the room is, and the attention of the staff. The quality of the food could not be faulted. Though the fruit scones, nice as they were only had a couple of raisins in, rather mean for a fruit scone. However, what let the experience down was the room and the service. The afternoon room also serves as a bar, and despite having glass chandeliers, looked exactly like a bar. There were too many tables and chairs. If not booked for teas, the tables had no white table cloth on. It looked messy to have half of the table covered and half without tablecloth. We were four in our party and once the tea things were bought out, there was so little space on the table, that it was not comfortable. Also, it is a shame that with lovely gardens around in such a large place , it would great to have teas in a garden. To be in a closed space when there are garden around seems a missed opportunity. Specially if the weather is good and sunny. I have experienced other venues who have garden settings for their afternoon teas. The serving staff were pleasant and polite but one did not feel a great deal of engagement on the whole. There were a couple of instances when we had to remind them to bring us something we had requested. Also, one of the tea-pot was a mis-match. At the end, with a few cakes left, we asked if they could be boxed. A flat box was given to us, which we then assembled ourselves and we put the cakes in ourselves. I would have expected the staff to do this, as it was the case in other venues I visited. We were booked for the last setting. While we were still at the table, The staff started clearing up other tables and re-arranging as a bar setting. It made us feel that we needed to leave, which we did. It would look far more professional if they had smart uniform instead of their own clothes covered by an apron. The maître hote wore a brown jacket and jeans. This is the person greeting the guests. While the food was delicious, both setting and staff made the experience disappointing for such a well-known place. Considering the price per person and my experience of other similarly priced afternoon teas, Penny Hill park Afternoon Tea did not compare well as some of the others venues I have visited. This is why I have rated as average (price versus quality).
Andy H
An excellent mix of high class special treatment and a relaxed atmosphere.A really decadent couple of hours was had for a treat for my wife’s 50th and we all left feeling we needed to walk 4 times around Virginia water lake to burn it off !
Expedition809408
We had the ultimate afternoon tea, What can you say. The food and service were first class as expected. The bubbly was good quality and the range of teas exceptional.
Raquel Pereira
Overpriced afternoon tea. The amount of food and quality does not match the price. The staff was nice and the place is gorgeous, but that was it.
The most important part of afternoon tea: the actual food, is an absolute miss, none of it was nice. The sandwiches were not fresh, the desserts were overly sweet and just not right - it all tasted old, wilted and refrigerated. I would not be back even with a free pass. It was a very disappointing (and expensive!) experience. Yes, there is the beautiful building, piano music and silverware but it all seems just an empty shell when the food is so low grade.
I was very impressed by my first experience of afternoon tea at Pennyhill Park. All of the staff were friendly and attentive and quick to make accommodations for my mum who is not mobile. We tried several flavours of tea, all delicious, and the food was incredible. The restaurant is stunning and we were delighted to have a pianist too. We will certainly be visiting again!
Spectacular service, food and setting
Visited with my husband for my 50th birthday treat. The whole experience was lovely. The hotel was so welcoming with the even the lampposts dressed for Christmas. The fire was burning in the lobby. The hill field room for afternoon tea was elegant. The staff subtle yet always there to help. The choice of teas was varied I had Christmas blend which was fabulous. The sandwiches were all lovely and it was hard to pick a favourite tho if I had to I would say the trout. The Christmas cake selection was amazing. The chocolate and cherry desserts lovely. Scones were the lightest I have ever eaten and divine served warm. Would highly recommend booking afternoon tea at PennyHill tho it may leave you wanting to stay at the hotel too, I know I want to know. A fabulous venue I will return to.
We had a very tasty afternoon tea at Pennyhill Park. A good choice of sandwiches, warm scones and pastry items with an excellent variety of teas to choose from. All served in lovely setting by a very pleasant member of staff.
Yesterday I took my husband for Afternoon Tea at Pennyhill Park to celebrate his 70th birthday. I was very impressed when we arrived; the only disabled parking space was in use, but when the young man at the door realised that we had a Blue Badge he lowered one of the bollards so we could park, and he then escorted us down to the lounge where tea was served. But after that things went downhill ….. We were greeted by a young lady who took us to a table and then took our order. The tea, sandwiches & cake were brought to the table and the sandwiches were very nice. The scones aren’t brought out with everything else because they are keeping them warm. Unfortunately the service wasn’t very good; the original lady had disappeared and we now had a waitress looking after us – but she was rarely there, just kept popping back from time to time, so we had to sit & wait for her to put in another appearance. I know it was a Monday and there were only four tables having Afternoon Tea, but there should still be someone on hand at all times. Eventually we were served our scones – and they were awful; hard & dry! So hard, I needed water to be able to swallow it. The (very small) portion of cream we were each given was rock-hard, so very difficult to spread – and although we wanted more cream we were again in the position of not having anybody to request it from. The idea of scones with cream & jam is that there is a thick layer of cream – but their portions were so small we had to spread it thin, like a layer of butter. The cakes looked delicious but, after trying one each, we decided to take the rest of them home, so I asked the waitress to bring the bill and box the cakes to take home. She came back a few minutes later with the credit card machine – and two partially made up cake boxes (the kind that look like little handbags) which she dumped on the table. So I pay £113 and they can’t even be bothered to box up the cakes for us – really?!!!!! We had a small table that was already full (2 teapots, 2 glasses, 2 cups & saucers, 2 plates & a cake stand) and now we’re having to juggle 2 flimsy boxes and put the cakes in without dropping or breaking them! We usually go to Coworth Park for special occasion afternoon teas – and if you ask to take their cakes home the cake stand is whisked away & the waitress will come back with the boxes already packed. Perhaps the management of this restaurant should go there for afternoon tea and see how things should be done! Needless to say, we won’t be returning and I certainly wouldn’t recommend here for afternoon tea.
I was a little unsure considering the negative reviews here, but my friend and I genuinely had a lovely day! The afternoon tea was great. We were offered secondary plates of sandwiches and they were all fresh. Scones, jam and clotted cream were also fluffy and delicious. Service for us was excellent, especially as they catered for my friend with a separate afternoon tea for her nut allergy. They were also accomodating for a baby. The setting was also great, very cosy and relaxing. Seeing as there were lots of off putting reviews, I wanted to put this one here to say it was great for us. Although it was a voucher gift, it would be worth the £50 each. We also weren't asked to pay a tip as part of the voucher and even if we were I wouldn't have minded as it is clearly stated on both the menu/voucher.
Great food and service
While the food was delicious, the room in which it was served also doubles as the bar, and somehow spoils the experience. The staff was polite, moderately attentive and could be dressed with a more corporate uniform. One on them wore jeans. When booking an expensive tea, all these aspects are important. This afternoon tea is expensive and not best value for money compared to other venues charging a similar price.
Although cakes aren’t really my thing, I was treated with a voucher for 4 for my birthday but what ruined it was playing £80 for the cheapest bottle of Cava (who drinks that anymore - it’s Prosecco not dry old cava!) and then being charged 10% service charge on top of the whole bill, INCLUDING the voucher cost! If someone uses a voucher and doesn’t bring any money, what happens when they get the bill as the voucher was paid for six months ago!? The sandwiches were nice, and we did ask for more but did not like the egg as bread was too sweet. The cakes were very nice as were the staff but would not recommend. I know the staff deserve a tip but should not have been on a prepaid voucher. Feel totally ripped off
Restaurantji Recommends
Just been to Pennyhill Park for an afternoon cream tea. Restaurant was ok, pleasant table over looking the pool area. We were shown our table and then left for some considerable time. I had given my friend a voucher for her birthday, on asking if we could have a glass of champagne seemed to caused confusion for the waitress. Finally after the restaurant superior / mgr arrived we were offered a sparkling wine each (our choice) - £17 a glass! The tea, finger sandwiches and cakes arrived soon afterwards! Can’t fault the food but seemed to forget about the scones and palate cleanser until we mentioned it. Staff although pleasant did least interaction and didn’t really make you feel it was a special occasion!
When booking an expensive afternoon tea, there are three considerations: the quality of the food, how pleasant and welcoming the room is, and the attention of the staff. The quality of the food could not be faulted. Though the fruit scones, nice as they were only had a couple of raisins in, rather mean for a fruit scone. However, what let the experience down was the room and the service. The afternoon room also serves as a bar, and despite having glass chandeliers, looked exactly like a bar. There were too many tables and chairs. If not booked for teas, the tables had no white table cloth on. It looked messy to have half of the table covered and half without tablecloth. We were four in our party and once the tea things were bought out, there was so little space on the table, that it was not comfortable. Also, it is a shame that with lovely gardens around in such a large place , it would great to have teas in a garden. To be in a closed space when there are garden around seems a missed opportunity. Specially if the weather is good and sunny. I have experienced other venues who have garden settings for their afternoon teas. The serving staff were pleasant and polite but one did not feel a great deal of engagement on the whole. There were a couple of instances when we had to remind them to bring us something we had requested. Also, one of the tea-pot was a mis-match. At the end, with a few cakes left, we asked if they could be boxed. A flat box was given to us, which we then assembled ourselves and we put the cakes in ourselves. I would have expected the staff to do this, as it was the case in other venues I visited. We were booked for the last setting. While we were still at the table, The staff started clearing up other tables and re-arranging as a bar setting. It made us feel that we needed to leave, which we did. It would look far more professional if they had smart uniform instead of their own clothes covered by an apron. The maître hote wore a brown jacket and jeans. This is the person greeting the guests. While the food was delicious, both setting and staff made the experience disappointing for such a well-known place. Considering the price per person and my experience of other similarly priced afternoon teas, Penny Hill park Afternoon Tea did not compare well as some of the others venues I have visited. This is why I have rated as average (price versus quality).
An excellent mix of high class special treatment and a relaxed atmosphere.A really decadent couple of hours was had for a treat for my wife’s 50th and we all left feeling we needed to walk 4 times around Virginia water lake to burn it off !
We had the ultimate afternoon tea, What can you say. The food and service were first class as expected. The bubbly was good quality and the range of teas exceptional.
Overpriced afternoon tea. The amount of food and quality does not match the price. The staff was nice and the place is gorgeous, but that was it.