Part-y-seal

We’re holidaying in our caravan and came across this quirky tea room while visiting the castle. The sweet pancake with apples and cinnamon was absolutely beautiful, as was the breakfast tea made with leaves. What a spot, with superb views and amazing gardens, and a great host. We’ll definitely visit again next time we’re in the area.

The setting was lovely and peaceful. We sat outside in the quiet, tranquil garden. The scones and jam were excellent, and the potted ham with cheese and toast was unusual but really tasty. Prices weren’t bad either. We’d go again.

Our hosts were lovely, polite and friendly, and the place itself is stunning, with beautiful gardens, good food and a very peaceful, relaxing feel. It’s only a two-day stay, but we’d thought about staying longer and changed our minds because we couldn’t lock our belongings in the room when we went out. There were several details that let the place down. The guesthouse and our room were far too warm because the water heating ran under the floors and up the wall, and there was no way to adjust it. We couldn’t leave the sash windows open without wedging a tissue box in them because the weights were missing. Luckily, we always travel with an electric desk fan. The place looked tired, with a hole in the ceiling outside our room and what seemed to be signs of old damp. The crockery and cutlery could have been cleaner, and the room wasn’t checked daily for drinks and other supplies. Fresh milk was put in a fridge outside our room each day, and I’m sure the hosts would have brought more tea or coffee if we’d asked. There was only hand wash, no other toiletries, and no shelf above the basin for our own things, so we had to put them on the toilet cistern. The bathroom door had no lock and there weren’t enough hooks or rail space for wet towels. The toilet’s noisy macerating system kept running whenever we used the toilet, shower or basin. The electric shower alternated unpredictably between hot and cold, and it took several minutes for the basin tap to run hot. There weren’t enough sockets, and none by the kettle and beverage tray, so we had to move some furniture to plug it in. I don’t like leaving a bad review, as many of these issues could be fixed with a little attention to detail.

We last visited five years ago, and recently brought a group of friends for a superb cream tea. The setting is wonderful, in a lovely part of the world. It’s probably best to come later in the year so you can enjoy the gardens.