Is there anything more delightful than taking afternoon tea in a beautiful room, gazing out over beautifully designed formal gardens? The Column Room at Hestercombe House is in the original sitting room of the Portman family and as you sip your tea and look out over the Victorian terrace you really do get a sense of the splendour and opulence of high society in the late 19th century. As well as traditional afternoon tea, The Column Room offers a seasonal lunch menu and extensive wine list.
The garlic-marinated king prawns were large and juicy, and the homemade gnocchi starter was a delight, smothered in a sage butter and rich blue cheese sauce. We embraced the feeling of old school grandeur by following up with seared loin of venison with roasted carrots and game chips, and a very generous serving of perfectly cooked cod loin on a bed of spicy chorizo and butter beans. No truly decadent lunch would be complete without dessert; do save room for the warm chocolate orange brownie served with blood orange curd and clotted cream, or perhaps the caramel and Irish cream profiteroles. You can always finish proceedings with a wholesome post-lunch stroll around Hestercombe’s beautiful gardens. Be sure to make it as far as the Great Cascade in the spectacular landscaped garden, designed by Coplestone Warre Bampfylde in the mid 18th century.
British
0.5 miles
