Afternoon Tea Adventures; The Countess Of York Train Carriage, York

Earlier this year I went to York for a few days for my birthday.  On my birthday I was treated to afternoon tea on The Countess of York refurbished train carriage which is on display at the National Railway Museum.

The carriage has been beautifully restored both inside and out and makes a lovely addition to the National Railway Museum.  Once on board, you can travel back in time to the era of high-class railway dining with a luxury afternoon tea experience.

Everything from the gold and burgandy interior carriage decor to the table settings and furniture takes you back to a time when first class travel aboard a train was an experience only available to the few.  The setting is probably one of the most luxurious settings for afternoon tea.

The beautiful antique china and silver teas service just make this such a special experience.  The English Breakfast Tea was lovely and it felt rather special pouring tea from a silver teapot.  It took me back to when I was a child and I had tea at my Nan’s on a Saturday afternoon and I was allowed to use her silver tea service on the condition I polished it after!

The tea began with a savoury course of tomato and parmasan cheese soup with toasted sourbread and a sausage roll with the most amazing chutney.  The soup was a lovely thick consistency and the sourbread was toasted and gave the an added crunch.

Then the cake stand was brought to the table; three layers of amzing looking food.  The afternoon tea menu changes throughout the year depending upon what produce is in season.

The sandwiches were eggmayo on white, Smoked salmon with a lemon butter on brown and beef and mustard on white.  I was offered more sandwiches if I had wanted them but there really was sufficent on the plate for me.

Next was the scone which was baked to a traditional Yorkshire recipe and was served with vanilla infused cream and homemade berry preserve.  The scone was moist and crumbly and the preserve had just the right amount of sweetness to it.  The addition of the vailla to the cream was lovely.

Finally, the sweet course that consisted of a white chocolate and oreo pot with an edible dark chocolate spoon, a jam tart, ginger cake, macaron and a chocolate eclair.

I really enjoyed this birthday treat and it has to be one of the lovieist afternoon teas I’ve had.  I’d certainly love to go back and try one of the teas during a different season.  The Afternoon Tea was priced at £23.50 each.  Dietary requirments can be catered for with 24 hours notice.  A gluton free tea is available as well as a children’s menu.