Afternoon Tea with bubbles and a garden view ∙ Our experience at Dormy House

8 August 2025 ∙ An afternoon at Dormy House is always a treat, and its newly reintroduced afternoon tea is a graceful nod to tradition with a fresh, contemporary twist. Today we indulged in this experience, and it proved to be a beautifully balanced and meticulously crafted culinary journey, all set against the idyllic backdrop of the hotel’s own vegetable garden.

The setting and the sparkle

Our afternoon tea was served in the main restaurant, The Back Garden, which overlooks the hotel’s fantastic kitchen garden. This setting is not just a beautiful view; it’s a testament to the chef’s belief in sustainability and a true garden-to-plate food culture.

The impeccable service began with a warm greeting and a lovely glass of champagne. This bubbly addition perfectly enhanced the experience, with its crisp, effervescent notes cutting through the richness of the sweet and savoury treats, adding an extra touch of celebration to the unhurried afternoon.

Complimentary Champagne exclusively for Cotswolds Concierge

As a very special treat, guests who book their Afternoon Tea and quote ‘Cotswolds Concierge‘ will receive a complimentary glass of champagne*, adding an extra touch of luxury to this unhurried experience. It’s an ideal opportunity to taste tradition with a Dormy twist and enjoy a refined afternoon in the heart of the Cotswolds.

Celebrating every palate with vegan and traditional afternoon teas

The experience was all the more delightful because both a vegan and a traditional menu were available, each as delicious and thoughtfully prepared as the other.

The vegan menu was a testament to creativity and flavour. It included a warm vegan cheese and Wiltshire truffle quiche, alongside four enticing sandwiches: hummus and beetroot, avocado with vegan bacon and harissa, feta and red pepper, and cucumber with cremátta and chives. The sweet selections were just as impressive, featuring fruit and plain scones with vegan whipped cream and strawberry jam, a delicate strawberry macaron, a zesty lime curd tart with vanilla cream and kaffir lime, a delightful coconut rice pudding with mango and mint salsa, and a rich raspberry and chocolate mousse.

Afternoon Tea at the Dormy

The afternoon tea menu was a celebration of classic flavours with Dormy flair. Savoury treats included a warm Scottish smoked salmon and horseradish quiche, complemented by four sandwiches: Paddock Farm honey-glazed ham with Tewkesbury mustard, Adlington Farm coronation chicken, prawn and Marie Rose, and Montgomery cheddar with spiced plum chutney.

The sweet tier featured fruit and plain scones with rich Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam, a refreshing lime and meringue tart, a delicious pistachio and cherry bakewell, and a vibrant raspberry and tarragon choux.

A flourish of tea and macarons

To complement these delights, a fine selection of teas was available, including the signature Back Garden Blend, as well as classics like Earl Grey and English Breakfast. Just when we thought the experience couldn’t get any better, an elegant macaron trolley made its way to our table. This charming touch provided a final, theatrical flourish to a truly indulgent afternoon, allowing us to select our last sweet treat from a lovely variety of flavours.

The Dormy House Afternoon Tea is available from Friday to Sunday and is a fantastic way to savour tradition with a refined, contemporary twist.

* Terms & Conditions: Subject to availability ∙ Complimentary glass of champagne per person ∙ Available Fri-Sun between 2pm-4.30pm + Bank Holiday Monday 25 August 2025 between 2pm-4.30pm ∙ Offer available until 28 September 2025 ∙ Customers must quote ‘Cotswolds Concierge’ at time of booking to receive the complimentary glass of champagne.