Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson

My friends and I have been meaning to try the Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea at the Sanderson Hotel for a while now. We always like to go for a meal or afternoon tea for birthdays and Kat's was no different - so off to the Sanderson Hotel it was.

They invite you to "tumble down the rabbit hole"
and you absolutely get that Alice and Wonderland feeling.

From the outside the Sanderson is nothing to look at and doesn't stand out from the other buildings on the road but when you step inside you are transformed from the ordinary to the extraordinary. A beautifully eccentric hotel with quirky furniture and teaware from Luna and Curious. I will definitely be checking out their boutique in Shoreditch, you can even buy the Mad Hatter's teaware collection used for the afternoon tea.

We walked through the bar past those watchful eyes and out into the courtyard garden. We were seated and greeted by a very helpful waiter, he explained the menu which came in this vintage book and the varieties of tea available.

First we were invited to smell the aroma of the different tea flavour combinations, they were presented in these cute miniature glass bottles. It was difficult to choose from such an indulgent selection which includes; Strawberries and Cream, Bakewell Tart, Rhubarb and Custard, Mint Choc Chip, Apple Pie and many more.

The Mad Hatter's teaware collection from Luna and Curious was a great touch, teapots adorned with Kings and Queens and sandwich plates with matching cups and saucers featuring bird cages, clocks and zebras.

'A deliciously eccentric afternoon tea; far from being curiouser and curiouser The Sanderson delivered taste and style all round'

- Lorna

When the sandwiches were brought over you instantly saw the vibrant colours, these may have been the usual fillings you'd expect from an afternoon tea but the were perfectly complimented with some fantastic bread flavours.

Savoury

Smoked Cumbrian ham with wholegrain mustard on sun-dried tomato bread

Cucumber and chive cream cheese on spinach bread

Cold smoked salmon and lemon butter on dark rye bread

Egg mayonnaise with watercress and smoked sea salt on lemon bread

Daily quiche - Red Pepper & Cougette quiche.

Then we started on the three tier cake stand, from the bottom continuing with the savoury treats a mini quiche, it changes daily but we had Red Pepper & Cougette. And of course there had to be the traditional scones; one savoury scone with herb butter and a scone with clotted cream and jam. All incredible.

I've been to many afternoon tea's and the Mad Hatter's at the Sanderson was certainly one of the best!- so many cute, quirky details! So many flavours! I just loved it!

- Karen

We then took a short interlude and another pot of tea the waiter asks, of course. So we all decided to try some of the other blends.
To finish off a deliciously whimsical selection of sweet treats including the traditional victoria sponge, a 'drink me' potion just like Alice drinks to shrink in size but the clear winner for us was the matcha mousse.

Sweet

Carrot meringue served on a bed of pea shoots

'Strawberries and cream' homemade marshmallow mushrooms

'Tick Tock' traditional Victoria sponge

Melting mango cheesecake

Matcha green tea and white chocolate mousse served in chocolate tea cup

'Drink Me' Potion

Selection of homemade savoury and sweet scones,

served with herb butter and fruit preserves with clotted cream

Jelly Wonderland

'This afternoon tea was a delicious twist on the Alice in Wonderland theme. It managed to be both nostalgia provoking and classy at the same time.'

- Kat

The Mad Hatter's Afternoon Tea is an absolute must. What is your favourite afternoon tea?

Mel xoxo