The Diva Soprano B.
Yelp
My review is mixed for our visit to Wadderston. The house was spectacular and the interior tour was worth every penny. I would highly recommend the house tour.
However, the reason I only gave two stars is because I was deeply disappointed in the afternoon tea and Rose Garden.
The first photo on their afternoon tea website page looks beautiful but unfortunately it misrepresents what you will actually experience with teatime. Here's my take;
1. I expected such a spectacular manor house to have an elegant afternoon tea. Instead it was most unimpressive.
2. The room looked like servants quarters or a basic canteen room. Cheap tables, with uncomfortable plastic chairs. Doesn't even compare to the spectacular tea I had at Luton Hoo ( I highly recommend Luton Hoo afternoon tea)!!!
3. They were understaffed, leaving us parched for tea. Unfortunately they didn't have milk on the table and by the time we got the server's attention, the tea went cold. It was just as hard to get their attention to ask for a second cup, which came just as we were leaving. So much for unlimited hot tea.
4. The savory food was not served on an elegant tiered stand. Instead on a plain, ugly flat plate (see photo).
5. No Traditional finger sandwiches, not even one.
6. They ignored my request twice for no seafood. I made this request during booking and again when the server asked if we had any food allergies at the start of service. They then served me salmon on my plate!
7. No basic substitutions. I asked them if I could have a second croissant as a substitute for the salmon option they incorrectly served me and I was told they don't have a single croissant to spare. ( seems unrealistic and unreasonable).
8. The savory options were unappealing, bland and disappointing. It was a struggle to get through this course.
9. The sweets were better and quite delicious. However, I was disappointed the scones didn't have raisins or the option to have them. The shape of the scones were unprofessional and wildly irregular to the point they didn't even look like scones. I have been making them for years and not once have mine come out so oddly shaped. Also disappointing that we were only allowed ONE scone each. Isn't afternoon tea all about scones, clotted cream and jam. Would have been nice to have at least two scones each. Or the option to have one more.
I would never recommend this afternoon tea! It was an absolute waste of money and my time.
The grounds were grand and beautiful. However, they advertise the Rose Gardens as a sight to visit but this was an unkept, overgrown Gladiolas's garden, with maybe one rose bush, that was almost bare ( see photo). Not worth the short walk to the rose garden, as you will be disappointed with the lack of roses.
Definitely do the house tour and grounds but forgo rose garden and afternoon tea.