Detour Pit Stop #77: Afternoon tea at Goodwood House, UK
Photo Goodwood
What a treat it is to attend Goodwood House for a concours of cake, says a stuffed Charlotte Vowden.
Served in the gilded Louis XV style ballroom, the edible entrants include an assortment of five perfectly sculpted sweet and petite showpieces that are prepared by the pastry chef each day – the delightful consequence of which is that what you find on your tea stand will be a surprise. To tease, appearances are frequently made by delicately crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle macaroons, elaborate opera cakes and zingy fruit tartlets topped with lightly toasted meringue; all of which have been ogled, then gobbled up and judged outstanding by me.
The sweet confections are accompanied by savoury, of course, with finger sandwich fillings featuring ingredients grown, reared and made on the Goodwood estate such as Charlton cheese and ham. Whether you dollop it before, or after the strawberry jam, don’t go easy on the clotted cream (which is delivered fresh from Goodwood Home Farm) when topping your warm scone – afternoon tea has little to do with sustenance and everything to do with indulgence. Also on the menu, leaf teas, but if Earl Grey or Japanese Sencha isn’t your ideal accompaniment, champers starts at £14 a glass.
The dress code? There isn’t one, but in surroundings as grand as Downton Abbey you’ll feel out of place if you don’t fix yourself up for the occasion. Bear in mind, your booking includes a one-hour house tour so semi-sensible footwear is advisable – the last thing you want is to be hobbling amidst the behind-the-scenes splendour when the guide, gently, throws open the state apartment doors. Membership or fellowship isn’t an entry requirement, but because all-comers are welcome, dates tend to sell out quick smart. The quintessentially domestic British event of taking afternoon tea is a tip top way to experience Goodwood at its peaceful, sociable and pleasurable best.
Words Charlotte Vowden Twitter | Instagram
Photography Goodwood