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TIME FOR TEA IN NORTH EAST ENGLAND
6th August 2010
As the home of Earl Grey tea there is no better place than North East England to sit back, relax and enjoy a scrumptious afternoon tea.
This summer you can enjoy your favourite cuppa and a delicious home-made scone in a stunning country house hotel, taking in breathtaking views or sharing it with a couple of billy goats!
Opened this week is the region’s newest and possibly most unique café – Goats on the Roof, near Rothbury, Northumberland. While visitors to the café graze on tasty treats they will be able to watch a herd of rare breed goats munch on the ‘living’ roof above. The café is the brainchild of Nina and Darren Remnant who also run a rare breed centre – Fontburn Rare Breeds. The tiny bagot goats, which are some of only a few left in the country, cleverly use a ladder to get up and down from the 30ft roof. The café serves lunches using local produce including rare breed pork and lamb from the farm and there is also be a play area for children. www.goatsontheroof.co.uk
Earl Grey Tearoom, Howick Hall, Northumberland
Howick Hall was the home of the Grey Family from 1319 and the most distinguished member of the family was Charles, 2nd Earl Grey. As Prime Minister during the mid-19th century he was responsible for the Great Reform Bill which eventually led to the modern day democracy. However, he is probably most well-known for introducing the nation’s favourite brew. The tea was specially blended by a Chinese mandarin for Charles, to suit the water at Howick, using bergamot in particular to offset the taste of the lime in it. Lady Grey used it to entertain in London as a political hostess, and it proved so popular that she was asked if it could be sold to others, which is how Twinings came to market it. It is now sold worldwide and the Greys were sufficiently unbusiness-like not to register the trade mark; as a result, they have never received a penny! www.howickhallgardens.org
Vennels Café is situated in the heart of historic Durham City takes its name from the North Eastern word for a narrow alleyway. Bread and scones are freshly baked on the premises every morning. But the café is possibly best known for its generous slices of home-baked cakes, including favourites such as chocolate cake, banoffee pie, lemon cake, tea bread and the fabulous flapjacks. www.visitnortheastengland.com
And for some of the most stunning views in the North East head to Barn at Beal coffee shop and visitor centre. Overlooking Holy Island the café serves only the best of local produce, including home-made cakes, puddings and local cheese. And when you have finished you can walk off the excesses on a number of trails around the visitor centre or come face to face with an owl or falcon in the Bird of Prey centre.www.barnatbeal.com
Rockliffe Hall Hotel is the newest of the North East’s grand country house hotels, which offer the perfect spot to while away a few hours over a pot of tea and scones. Here you can enjoy a quintessential English afternoon tea in one of the luxurious lounges or on the terrace. www.rockliffehall.com
For more information on great places to eat go to www.visitnortheastengland.com
ENDS
PR Contacts: Hayley Quarmby, PR Officer at One North East 0191 229 6852, Hayley.quarmby@onenortheast.co.uk or Debbie Sharratt, PR Officer at One North East 0191 229 6428, Debbie.sharratt@onenortheast.co.uk
