I visited Kilworth House Hotel for afternoon tea with a new established private afternoon tea club! Every couple of months, we meet, we giggle, we sip drinks and enjoy delicious food.
Before our visit, we booked in advance and the staff graciously accommodated our allergy requirements, without taking any payment upfront. Rather than offering halal options, they provided pescatarian and vegetarian choices; I opted for vegetarian.
Overall, I believe this place offers so much more to explore beyond afternoon tea — so read on to find out more!
Exploring The Grounds
From the moment you arrive, you don’t have to walk far from your car before Kilworth House Hotel stuns you with its beauty. Set within 38 acres of rolling countryside, it truly embodies all the relaxing vibes of a countryside retreat.
In particular, the thoughtfully positioned sun loungers on the lawn and the hidden fountains nestled within the hedges help create an ambient space for al fresco dining. Therefore, guests can relax and take in the peaceful surroundings. Only 20 minutes away from Leicester, it feels like a world away from the stresses of city life. I didn’t get to explore everything the grounds have to offer, you could spend an entire afternoon purely on the grounds!
The Grounds – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Exploring The House
The building itself stands as a Grade II listed Victorian home, originally owned by John Entwistle, the High Sheriff of Leicestershire. Rich in history, it teems with charm, character, and English heritage, making us feel as though we’ve been cast back into the Victorian era. I couldn’t help but noticing there wasn’t a speck of dust in sight. The place is immaculate.
Naturally, our imaginations run wild as we discuss Jane Austen novels and traditional English ballroom dances. Without a doubt, the house adds a unique atmosphere to the entire experience. The venue also offers a theatre, proudly hosting productions from London such as Greece and The Sound of Music. There’s something new to discover at every turn, it really is the gift that keeps on giving.
Kilworth House and Hotel – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
A Relaxing Afternoon Tea
Enjoying Afternoon Tea in The Orangery makes a sweet treat even sweeter! When we enter on a quiet Monday afternoon, we find the space peaceful and serene. Sunlight beams through the elegant glass structure as soon as we step inside, and the staff promptly seat us at an immaculately dressed table. Altogether, it feels like a calm, luxurious escape.
The afternoon tea itself felt slightly lacking. I felt the presentation was less elegant than the setting. There is an excellent selection of teas and coffees on offer, which are unlimited. I tried The English Breakfast Tea (which deserves 5* in itself) Assam tea and Lapsang Souchong “Smoke Tea” for the first time (rather exciting). Dairy free options were accommodated throughout. From the drinks perspective, I can’t fault it. In fact, it’s excellent.
Where I felt the afternoon tea let itself down was the selection of cakes. The sandwiches and pastries tasted lovely, especially the vegetable wellington. However, I’m not a fan of the jam that came with the scones and the cakes on the top level, felt a overly sweet. I think something more classic for the top level would be better, maybe less selection but more tradition. However, at £32 each, I really can’t complain. I have marked the Afternoon Tea itself down 2 stars purely for the presentation and a feeling that the cakes on offer could be improved. There also was an issue with the card machine at the end, which was a bit time consuming to sort out before our payment could be taken. Although this can’t be helped and the staff were really helpful in resolving the issue.
The Afternoon Tea Experience – ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Overall Kilworth House and Hotel Afternoon Tea Experience
If you are in need of a retreat away from the city, a pampering and romantic location to explore, look no further than Kilworth House Hotel! If you are travelling I recommend staying the night because there is so much to see. Why not combine your stay with a theatre show?
Staff – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – The staff are friendly, accommodating and attentive.
Cleanliness – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – Couldn’t see even a speck of dust.
Halal – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – It would be nice to see a halal option if we book in advance, however, if this is to prevent wasting halal meat then I fully support the choice to offer vegetarian instead.
Allergy Needs – ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ – The staff were conscious of allergy needs throughout the visit and happy to accommodate. Please do your own due diligence in regards to allergy needs.
Visitor Tips – There is ample space to pray inside and out, I would anticipate to spend the whole day here for a day visit. If staying over, even better! Make sure to bring a friend to take selfies amidst the classical English backdrop and a book to sit an read in a quiet corner of the lounge, or on the sun loungers on the lawn.
Do you want to spend a relaxing day at Kilworth House Hotel and Theatre? CLICK HERE to plan your trip and don’t forget to let me know about your experience in the comments section below!
