A Festive Christmas Afternoon Tea at Leonardslee House
Experience a special Christmas afternoon tea at Leonardslee House
Visitors to Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens can escape the cold and enjoy a very special afternoon tea this Christmas, running until Christmas Eve, December 24th. Chef Jean Delport and his team have decked the halls of Leonardslee House and prepared a unique festive menu in its Michelin Star kitchens, with both sweet and savoury options for the perfect holiday treat.
When guests arrive at the historic Leonardslee House, they are sure to be impressed by the majestic Christmas tree that takes centre stage in the grand hallway, which leads up to ten luxury bedrooms – should guests wish to stay overnight after dining in the evening at award-winning Restaurant Interlude, following afternoon tea.
Jean and his team have designed their own unique menu of lavish seasonal treats for a festive afternoon tea not to be missed. Including their own take on a traditional Christmas cake, as well as a beautifully decorated white chocolate and stem ginger spiced bundt cake and a delectable chocolate Yule log. Take a bite into a delicately handcrafted raspberry and cranberry entremet in the form of a Santa’s belly, nibble on spiced ginger biscuits, and Jean’s own personal take on a classic chocolate wagon wheel are among the perfectly made sweets. There are mince pie choux buns; a choux bun with orange custard, homemade fruit mincemeat and brandy cream; and a White Christmas Rudolf with a three-chocolate mousse, salted caramel and Baileys.
There is a variety of loose-leaf teas from which to choose, including black, white and green teas, as well as herbal infusions; Golden Chai is December’s tea of the month, featuring ginger, green cardamom and Indian turmeric from Sikkim.
Guests can also visit Leonardslee Illuminated in December when the gardens are transformed with their sell-out light trails, soundscapes and large-scale installations. There is a Victorian fairground, seasonal food and drink and a small Christmas market with arts and crafts stalls and gifts for sale. Free entry is available when joining online as an annual member of Leonardslee on select dates.
Guests can upgrade their afternoon tea experience with a glass of sparkling wine from the collection of award-winning wines from Leonardslee's sister property in South Africa, Benguela Cove Lagoon Estate. Wine tastings are also available, as well as tours of the estate’s Sussex Wine vineyards, which will produce their first sparkling varietals in 2024.
Christmas Afternoon Tea: December 1st to 24th. Thursday to Sunday, 13:00 - 15:00.
Leonardslee Illuminated: November 24th to 27th; November 30th to December 4th; and then December 7th to 21st. Opens 16:15 until late.
