Cheshire Life Afternoon Tea - Mottram Hall

Mottram Hall Hotel in Mottram St Andrew was the perfect location for an afternoon of tea, cakes and fizz.

Mottram Hall afternoon tea (Image: Archant)

Could a location for an afternoon tea be more idyllic than the Garden Room at Mottram Hall?

With its floor to ceiling windows overlooking sweeping grounds, it's the sort of place suited to the wearing of long skirts and playing croquet on the lawn.

As guests drove up the impressive driveway, they caught their first glimpse of the magnificent facade of this 18th century Grade II listed building, which is set in 270 acres of beautiful Cheshire countryside a few miles outside Wilmslow in Mottram St Andrew.

The house, which was built around 1750 by wealthy landowner William Wright for his son, has been a hotel since the 1930s and last September was sold to the hotel company Champneys which is famed for its spa empire.

Holly Moore (Image: Archant)

The hotel may be grand but the service is warm and welcoming. and very soon guests were chatting over welcoming glasses of Vespo Allegro Prosecco.

Waiting staff under the watchful eye of conference and events supervisor Paul Steeden served up platefuls of canapés that included fillings of salmon and cream cheese, keta caviar, tomato bruchetta and liver partfait accompanied by red onion chutney.

Paul reveals that the afternoon teas at the hotel are especially popular with those using the Champneys' spa (which will be undergoing an expansion in the coming months). It seems their guests enjoy nothing more than a gorgeous Elemis treatment, relaxing in the hot tub and pool and then indulging in groaning plates of sandwiches and cakes - which when the weather is fine can be served on the alfresco terrace.

Mottram Hall's spa staff were on hand to answer any questions about their award-winning facilities and treatments and guests walked away with Elemis treats in their goodie bags following the event.

Sarah Thorne of Elemis Biotec (Image: Archant)

The hotel has a whole range of afternoon teas that guests can indulge in, involving a huge range of teas and types of fizz but one enjoyed at our Cheshire Life Women in Business afternoon had been specially devised for the occasion by chefs, Joel Knotman and Jay Ceren Kisacik.

Elegant plate stands were brought to each table laden with freshly-made sandwiches, that included fillings of duck egg and watercress, hot smoked salmon, pickled cucumber and crème fraîche, ham hock and mustard, cured beef and dill pickle.

Homemade scones still warm from the oven were served with clotted cream and Mottram Hall raspberry jam and an assortment of cakes included a pistachio sponge cake, dinky lemon meringue and raspberry tarts, a rich velvety chocolate and honeycomb delice embellished with gold leaf and mini caramel beignets. Mottram 1940 tea was served. This is an exclusive blend of Assam, Ceylon and Darjeeling, which was a lovely and elegant accompaniment to the teatime delicacies.

Alternatives for vegans, vegetarians and those with specific dietary requirements were also catered for and tea substituted for coffee for those who preferred the bean to the leaf.

From the menu

To start

A selection of canapés included fillings of salmon and cream cheese, keta caviar, tomato bruchetta and liver partfait accompanied by red onion chutney.

To continue

Sandwiches of duck egg and watercress, hot smoked salmon, pickled cucumber and crème fraîche, ham hock and mustard, cured beef and dill pickle.

To finish

Homemade scones with clotted cream and Mottram Hall raspberry jam, pistachio sponge cake, lemon meringue and raspberry tarts, chocolate and honeycomb delice embellished with gold leaf and mini caramel beignets.

To drink

Vespo Allegro Prosecco.

Mottram 1940 tea

Details

Mottram Hall Hotel, Wilmslow Road, Mottram SK10 4QT

01625 828135

mottramhall.com