cooking up a storm in a teacup: Afternoon Tea in Woodstock

As often happens at half-term we all came down with a horrible bug but by Wednesday decided an afternoon in Woodstock might blow the cobwebs away.

'A' suggested lunch. I think that it may have been the disappointment at missing out on the Persephone Tea that made me ask for Afternoon Tea. I longed for cucumber sandwiches, and the Victoria Sponge sounded delicious even though the asparagus and broad bean risotto, just as good. Maybe I thought Johnny Depp would be pouring the tea...

Instead we had a pretty waitress who had a spider in her hair. Which I rescued and I'm not sure how but it subsequently landed in mine. So the waitress reciprocated...this does a bit Mad Hatter's Tea Party. The sandwiches were a tad soggy. I think the bread, even though I always eat brown, in this case, should have been white and the victoria sponge was a tiny little bun which was a little disappointing. But the scone was amazing and the clotted cream, genuine. The pot of tea perfect. it would have been even more perfect had the cups been china.The service was excellent and the tea room homely and everything good value for money.

I couldn't help comparing it with Afternoon Tea at the Pump Room in Bath which is probably three times more expensive. But both have their place and it certainly fortified us and we would go back for one of those scones...ooh and the friendly staff...