If you’re ever looking for a wonderfully delicious Afternoon Tea in a spectacular location then The Castle Pantry at Highcliffe Castle is highly recommended.

Myself, my mum and the children visited on a lovely sunny day so the so the majority of diners were sitting outside but if the weather isn’t great or you prefer to be indoors regardless then they have a beautiful dining area or an area with comfy armchairs which the kids immediately asked to sit on.

We ordered an Afternoon Tea for 2 which consists of finger sandwiches, a choice of 3 cakes to share, scones and hot drinks.  We were asked for our choice of cakes, scones and hot drinks and since the kids had already eaten lunch they only asked for drinks and a cake.

Our tea arrived first along with the pretty crockery and then not too long after our incredible Afternoon Tea stand arrived.  The sandwiches were freshly made and we enjoyed a selection of ham and tomato, coronation chicken, tuna mayo and rocket, cheese and pickle and cream cheese and cucumber.

Our fruit scones were pretty big so myself and my mum decided to share one to start and then if we had room after the cake then we’d eat the other.  We had plenty of strawberry jam and clotted cream and I must admit they were quite filling.  My daughter enjoyed her plain scone with a big dollop of jam and cream so she could barely move after but my son polished off his raspberry ripple cake with ease and then sat staring at our cakes haha.

The cakes we chose were courgette and avocado cake, salted caramel cake and a blueberry bakewell tart.  There was so much for us to choose from including Dorset apple cake, coffee and walnut cake, cappuccino drip cake, sticky toffee biscoff cake and chocolate brownie to name but a few.  I’ll admit I was slightly overwhelmed with the choice but what we had was just perfect and I cut them up into smaller pieces so we could all share.

Everything was just perfect, even down to the floral china which gave the whole experience a very elegant feel.  The staff are very professional and friendly and checked back on us a couple of times to see if we were ok and if there was anything else we needed.  We had such a great afternoon and couldn’t fault a single element of our visit.

If you visit, be sure to have a look around the dining areas indoors as you’ll find some very interesting displays, artwork and facts on local history and Afternoon Teas.  Did you know, in 1840 the 7th Duchess of Bedford, feeling hungry one afternoon, began the tradition of afternoon tea by having tea, cake, bread and butter?  The tea room part of the Castle was formerly dormitories for the clergy who resided there and the views out to the gardens are stunning.

On the day we visited the Castle was closed to the public for a wedding so we watched the bride, groom and the guests arriving at the entrance before taking a walk around the gardens and a run down onto the beach.

If you would like to read more about the tea rooms and to view the menu, please visit The Castle Pantry.

Good to know:

• You can upgrade your afternoon tea or cream tea to include prosecco if you wish.

• There’s a choice of scones to enjoy, we had fruit and plain but if you would rather go savoury then there is also cheese scones which are served with chutney and cream cheese.

• Obviously the choice or sandwiches and cakes may vary on the day but there’s always plenty of choice.

• There is plenty more on the menu to enjoy including breakfasts, jacket potatoes, soup, sourdough ciabattas, homemade quiche, ploughmans, light lunches, salads and cream teas with freshly baked scones, jam and cream and a hot drink.

• Vegetarian, gluten free, lactose free and vegan specific diets can be catered for.

• The Castle Pantry is very family friendly and baby change facilities can be found in the toilets.

• Baby showers, birthdays and special events can be catered for, just enquire and they will I’m sure accommodate your needs.

• The Garden Cabin is an outdoor kiosk which is ideal for those looking to grab something on the go.  You can buy drinks, treats and Marshfield ice cream.

• The Castle Pantry is open daily however summer and winter times may vary.

• If you are parking at Highcliffe Castle then parking charges do apply.

• For those with pushchairs and wheelchairs, there is a level access from the main entrance via a small ramp.