insideKENT Magazine Issue 41 - August 2015 | Page 70

FOOD+DRINK
Kent’s Best Cream Teas cont.
Chilston Park Hotel
Lenham // www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/chilstonpark
Grade I-listed, and one of the best-loved hotels in Kent, Chilston Park
Hotel has been host to writers, Lords, and politicians over the years.
It’s a romantic and attractive building, full of antiques and stories; and
it offers a magnificent afternoon tea as well. Or rather, five of them –
each one with the option to upgrade to the ‘royal’ tea, and add a glass
of Champagne. All of the teas are taken in the superb lounge, where
the views are second to none. The Cream Tea is just that – scones
slathered in clotted cream and jam, while the Traditional Afternoon Tea
consists of fresh leaf or fruit teas, finger sandwiches, scones with clotted
cream and jam, fruitcake, and a selection of homemade pastries. Then
there’s the Savoury Afternoon Tea, where the scones are cheese ones
and come with chive butter, and there are intriguing savoury pastries
to taste, including savoury choux. For a special occasion, there is the
Celebration Afternoon Tea (for a minimum of four guests), which includes
the addition of a birthday cake! And finally, there is the Gluten Free
Afternoon Tea, ideal for allowing those who would normally have to
steer clear of cakes and pastries to enjoy a wonderful meal.

Wallet’s Court

Café Nucleus

Dover // www.wallettscourthotelspa.com

Chatham // www.cafenucleus.co.uk

Located in the picturesque hamlet of Westcliffe near Dover is the grade IIlisted Wallett’s Court. A beautiful building full of character and history, it has
frescoes and carvings aplenty, and was once a 15th-century Wealden Hall,
which was restored in the Jacobean style. Afternoon teas here are delicious
and stylish – taken either in the garden room, on the terrace, in the gorgeous
gardens, or, when the weather is less kind, in the cosy drawing room (complete
with log fire). You will enjoy homemade scones with homemade jam and
plenty of clotted cream, and a variety of loose-leaf teas; alternatively, if you
opt for the Garden of England Tea, you can add a selection of sandwiches
and the cake of the day to the menu. And to make things really special, you
can even add a glass of Biddenden’s sparkling wine.

Café Nucleus at the Nucleus Arts Centre in Chatham has a great
philosophy when it comes to its food; dining here should be an
experience, rather than simply refuelling. So, when it comes to afternoon
tea, you know you