A glass of champagne to start
When it comes to afternoon delights some people think of matters more sensual, but my thoughts turn to high tea with tiered cake stands, bone china, and iced pink temptations.
[ADVERT]A fine venue for such an afternoon dalliance is The Gables, a stately Queen Anne Style home on the Gascoigne Estate. As the name suggests this isn't Kath and Kim country but a "bloody-big" house (1902) in a tree-lined estate in East Malvern.
Just walking into The Gables is like being transported into a page from
The Great Gatsby. There is a wide porch with potted palms and 1920s cane furniture. You could imagine the original owners reclining here sipping their Pimm's.
Pimms anyone
Inside, the décor is opulent; stunning leadlight windows, crafted timber detailing, and chandeliers hanging from far-off ceilings. It is the kind of place where you wish you had worn your finery and left your moccasins at home.
Three rooms (one a ballroom) radiate out from a central reception hall in which sits a white-damasked table groaning under multi-tiered displays of cakes, pastries and sweets. The term pastel-perfect floats to mind.
Groaning with goodies
The afternoon starts with a glass of French champagne sipped
while you hog into - sorry - daintily nibble at ribbon sandwiches,
savoury pastries and scones served with a fabulous selection of loose leaf teas from a personal plunger placed before you.
And more goodies
We honestly did try not to scoff our savouries but as other tables began to stir, linen napkins were gauntleted down, and there was a rush of high-heels for the buffet. Think piles of colourful macaroons, gold cones piped full of chocolate, fruit parfaits, and cupcakes iced in pink and gentle green.
And more goodies
When we could eat no more, our talk turned to the royals; Camilla (we decided to like her), the slender Kate (was she eating enough afternoon tea?) and the redheaded Harry (some suggested DNA testing). Royalty is a topic that comes to mind in a place like The Gables.
High tea with high ceilings
During the warmer weather, guests are served high tea on the veranda overlooking the century old trees. Gluten free options are available.
