Friday 18 April 2014

Afternoon Tea at Jesmond Dene House

If you've been reading New Girl in Toon from the beginning you'll know that Simon and I are huge fans of Jesmond  Dene House, a boutique hotel on the outskirts of Newcastle.  It doesn't matter how many afternoon teas we try, JDH will always be our favourite.  Simon is such a huge fan that every time we approach the hotel his face lights up in the biggest grin.  He'd happily move in today if he could.   

It was about 11 months ago that we were lucky enough to check in to a suite for the night to celebrate our first anniversary, it was back in the days before my blog had any readers so I'd love you to go check out the post here as we had such a lovely time.

We decided a while back that we'd treat ourselves to afternoon tea over Easter weekend and pretty quickly realised that a visit to JDH was long overdue.  

We were absolutely delighted to wake up this morning to sunshine and blue skies so I immediately raided my wardrobe to see if I could finally wear something new.

I picked out this beautiful paisley print dress that I got for Christmas and wore it with my blue peep toe heels.  It also seemed the appropriate time to debut my lovely bag from H&M, although Simon was a bit bemused at me taking such a large bag out to afternoon tea.



Sorry, few too many outfit photos there but I love the dress so much I couldn't pick between the photos!

We managed to get to JDH 30 minutes early, which was pretty clever really as it meant we got to enjoy some drinks on the terrace.  With the sun beating down on us making us feel really warm I decided to order my first Pimms of the year.  Apparently JDH have only just added it back onto the menu so I think my drink was actually the first Pimms made by JDH in 2014. 
 
Jesmond Dene House

We sat chatting in the sunshine, taking in the beautiful view and perusing the afternoon tea menu.  I really loved that I had my own "nut free" menu as being allergic to nuts can be a bit of a pain when you're an afternoon tea addict so it was nice to get some special attention. 


We usually take our afternoon tea in the Cocktail Bar but this time we decided for a change and booked to eat in the Garden Room, the lovely light conservatory looking out onto the garden.  I'm so glad that we did because it was the perfect room for afternoon tea. 

Afternoon tea at JDH  is £19.50 but it's worth every single penny.   The service is impeccable, the atmosphere is so relaxing and the food is gorgeous.

Afternoon Tea Jesmond Dene House
We started off with our sandwiches Roast Beef, Rocket & Horseradish; Mature Cheddar & Apple Pickle; Potted Salmon and Egg Mayonnaise.  They were lovely but in all honesty we raced through them to get to the sweet (we just can't help ourselves!)

As it's Easter weekend as well as getting a cheese scone and fruit scone with jam and cream we also got a little hot cross bun each.   It was such a lovely added touch.  Simon slathered his in jam and cream, which I think is perhaps a little strange?

The final tier was, of course, the cakes and I think it was probably the best cake tier we've ever had at JDH.   The selection was Rose & White Chocolate Shortbread (which I loved because it tasted of Turkish Delight), Sticky Toffee Cheesecake (Simon's favourite), Chocolate Marshmallow Truffle and Lemon Sponge & Vanilla Frosting.

Afternoon Tea Jesmond Dene House

We were pretty sensible for a change and attempted to eat everything at a steady pace (we have been known to wolf down an entire afternoon tea in less than an hour) whilst drinking copious amounts of tea (if you talk to Simon he will tell you that I more or less drained both teapots that we had and he didn't get much of a look in). 

I was feeling pretty giddy as the sun was out and so thought that it'd be the perfect day to give Simon an "Afternoon Tea Name" which I decided would be Cecil.   Personally I thought it was pretty funny but after a couple times of me asking him to "pass the tea Cecil" he started to refuse to answer to his new name.  Spoilsport!

As usual we were completely full to bursting by the end, I tried to convince Cecil (sorry I mean Simon!) to wheel me back up the hill to the Metro in one of the Garden Lounge chairs but he made me get up and walk.  

We've had such a wonderful start to our Easter Weekend so thanks to everyone at Jesmond Dene House for giving us yet another perfect experience. 
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25 comments

  1. it looks lovely! might just need to skip some revision and head up there myself!

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    1. Do it! Even if it's just for coffee! Our first visit to JDH we just ambled in after a walk and just went and sat in the lounge for coffee, it wasn't really any more expensive than Starbucks/Costa and it was served with gorgeous homemade biscuits :D

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  2. It looks so delicious! I really need to try afternoon tea here. I'm definitely adding it to my list! I love your dress and everything is so coordinated. I always struggle with what to wear with blue. It's so nice to be able to wear spring and summer clothes, isn't it? I'm such a wimp when it comes to being cold so I haven;t braved bare legs yet! Tomorrow might be the day! x

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    1. Yes you really really must, it is so good! Seems very child friendly as well, there were loads of kids running about in the garden today. I think it's my third afternoon tea there and I've only been living here 11 months ... OBSESSED!

      I could claim I had bare legs today, but I actually had tights on, not quite brave enough for no tights yet ;) I'm off shopping in Toon tomorrow so keep wondering whether to brave no tights but not sure!

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  3. What a wonderful way to celebrate the start of Easter. Your dress is beautiful and the afternoon tea looks amazing. Compared to london prices for afternoon tea this looks wonderful and doesn't cost the earth Lucy x

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    1. Definitely, I've paid £30 + for afternoon tea in London and I don't think I've ever had one that's been as good as JDH. It's such a bargain for such a high quality afternoon tea x

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  4. Ah you guys both look so smart and summery! I'm glad it was such good weather for you :)
    x

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    1. Thanks :) This is actually Simon's "Easter Shirt"! Our first date was over Easter weekend and he wore it then so it's a special shirt :) Always makes us smile when it appears out of the wardrobe x

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  5. The location and tea looks absolutely perfect, I've never actually had afternoon tea before but it's making me want to! I would've done exactly the same and rushed through the sandwiches to get to the cakes, they look so yummy! Although I am sceptical of the jam and cream on a hot cross bun! Surely that takes away from the flavour?!

    Is the bright pink one the chocolate marshmallow truffle? It looks like a giant Macaron! I'm always drawn in by the most pretty and colourful looking desserts. Although the Sticky Toffee Cheesecake is something I can't believe I've never tried, it looks delicious!

    Your dress also looks lovely, and perfect for the sunny weather!

    Imogen x // imogenscribbles

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    1. OMG really?! You have to .. I promise you'll never look back! Simon had never had a proper afternoon tea before he met me, and I think I've now created a monster because he loves it, he just can't get enough. I think once you've tried once you're a fan for life!

      I said the exact same thing about jam and cream with your hot cross bun! It just doesn't work!

      The bright pink is actually a Rose and White Chocolate macaroon, Simon had that on his cake plate, I had the shortbread as an alternative because of my nut allergy.

      x

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  6. That afternoon tea looks lovely! I love the selection of cakes. If I lived closer I would definitely check this out. You look very summery in that dress. A perfect outfit for afternoon tea I think!
    I've had a cream tea this weekend already but I feel I may need an afternoon tea too!
    Kate xx

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    1. Oooooh I'm liking this ... maybe I can fit a cream tea in too? ;)

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  7. Oh this looks lovely! :)
    That afternoon tea looks so yummy!
    Love your dress. :)

    I should really learn not to read your blog when hungry.. :/

    Caroline.x
    notesfromcaroline.com

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    1. HA! I get quite a few comments like that ... my life seems to involve around food eh?! :D

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  8. Lovely pictures and those cakes look very good indeed. Not to mention that cocktail... :)

    Caroline x
    www.cocktailsandcaroline.com

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    1. Thank you :) Feel so lucky that we got such beautiful weather!

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  9. This looks amazing! I will have to try those cakes sometime, oh my god I'm actually dying for cake now haha.
    Kloe xx
    skullsnkisses.blogspot.co.uk

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    1. I may have had enough cake this weekend .. a lady got up for me on the Metro today! Simon said it's cos she was being polite because she was getting off the next stop, I think it's because she mistook my cake belly for a baby belly :s

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  10. Mm the cakes look wonderful!

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    1. They really were so so good .. we were making a lot of mmmmmmmmmmmmmm noises :D

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  11. Great afternoon tea post and a lovely dress. that pink macaroon at the top look particularly appealing...
    Lots of love,
    Angie
    SilverSpoon London

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    1. It's a beautiful place and the hotel rooms are fantastic too, especially the suites. If you're ever in the North East you must stay there, I think you'd really love it

      x

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  12. The afternoon tea looks stunning! Very cute!
    Sammie
    www.littleblondelife.com

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  13. Looks amazing, I've never been for afternoon tea at JDH, but seeing these pics I might have to remedy the situation. We did however go for the tasting menu last weekend for our aniversary and that was out of this world! x

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  14. Looks amazing, I've never been for afternoon tea at JDH, but seeing these pics I might have to remedy the situation. We did however go for the tasting menu last weekend for our aniversary and that was out of this world! x

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