Before he died, St David told his followers, ‘Do the little things in life’. This maxim remains popular in Wales today. And while the afternoon tea experience appears a dainty and delicate thing, the Angel Hotel in Abergavenny makes it something more decadent and deluxe, allowing its visitors to ‘do the little things in life’ on a rather grander scale.

Regarded as a quintessential element of British culture, afternoon tea is a ritual that evokes a sense of old-fashioned regalia. The refined affair of battling an afternoon slump with tea and a sweet treat has widely become a luxury event. Many luxury hotels and restaurants across the UK offer the civilised afternoon tea experience. Even as far as Abergavenny, the Gateway to Wales.

The Angel Hotel not only offers its visitors the chance to stay in a luxurious 4 Silver Star hotel but also boasts an exceptional afternoon tea experience. With a kitchen dedicated specifically to the hotel’s high tea menu, The Angel bears a stunning range of fresh pâtisserie and savouries every morning. The hotel prides itself as the holder of The British Tea Guild Council’s Top City and Country Afternoon Tea Award and The Award of Excellence. This is justified by its masterful moulding of its menu to complement the season. Served in the Wedgewood Room of the hotel, adorned with crisp white linen and fine floral china. With wonderful views of Abergavenny Castle, The Angel’s luxury tea experience is difficult to fault.

A Library of Tea

While the menu changes seasonally, as does the tea. The Angel brags an extensive library of carefully selected accompanying teas to showcase the season and as the perfect adjunction to the flavours of their sweet and savoury options. February’s menu sees an array of floral yet sensual teas, blended specifically for the season of love.  A stand-out this love-filled month is St. Valentine’s. Described on the menu as a delicate marriage of Ceylon black tea, rose petals and orange peel, it is at once subtle and passionate.

Traditional Sandwiches and Savoury Treats

The make-or-break of any afternoon tea menu is its sandwiches. The Angel’s traditional yet diverse selection of luxury crustless sandwiches is presented on a fine, vintage cake stand. The menu offers treats for every taste bud. Guests are able to choose from classic contenders such as egg mayonnaise with cress and coronation chicken, or more refined alternative fillings like home baked ham, tomato and mustard mayonnaise, and Severn and Wye smoked salmon with pickled cucumber and cream cheese. The menu’s further lavish line-up of savoury treats commits to the oh-so-British excellence of the art of afternoon tea. From sausage rolls and quiches to creamy mushroom pastries, The Angel’s guests can nibble until their hearts content.

Freshly-baked Cakes and Fancies

Of course, we wrap up the elegant ritual of the afternoon tea experience by finally satisfying that niggling mid-afternoon hankering for something sweet. Guests at The Angel are able to indulge in a dainty yet delectable arrangement of English cakes and fancies. The menu exhibits fruity delights such as the raspberry tower cake and the lemon poppy ring with lemon curd and elderflower cream, with which the hotel’s floral and fragrant teas will pair exceptionally well. For The Angel’s chocoholic visitors there are bite-sized profiteroles and chocolate banana brownies. Of course, an afternoon tea experience is undeniably incomplete without warm scones, with the sweetest strawberry jam and clotted cream. This functions on The Angel Hotel’s menu as the grand finale of its luxury high tea extravaganza.

The Angel Hotel in Abergavenny’s afternoon tea certainly lives up to its award-winning reputation. Their traditional, luxury high tea has something for everyone. With a seemingly endless assemblage of meticulously selected teas and a delicious selection of savouries, sandwiches, pastries and scones, it is the ultimate sophisticated treat. The Angel’s afternoon tea can be enjoyed on Thursdays through to Sundays from 1pm in some marvellous dining rooms.