Claire Williams swoons with delight at the variety of treats provided with the Cumberland Hotel's luxury afternoon tea

Fresh choux pastry, macaroons, caramel, chocolate, clotted cream and meringue, what’s not to like?

I love sweet treats and the Cumberland’s traditional afternoon tea is a real treat indeed – a scrumptious assortment of sweet and savoury that the chefs have perfected.

The Cumberland Hotel holds the highest four star rating in Bournemouth. Perched on the town’s East Overcliff Drive, the Art Deco building boasts a commanding position enjoying a stunning vista of the beach and beyond. This unique, boutique style hotel is part of The Oceana Bournemouth Resort.

In recent years The Cumberland has been sumptuously restored to its Art Deco heyday both inside and out, offering a calming and friendly atmosphere for all ages.

It’s the perfect spot to sit back and relax, whether you choose the comfortable hotel lounge or the award winning 2-Rosette Ventana Grand Cafe where you can dine like a royal with their quintessential afternoon tea selection.

Served between 3pm until 5pm, the delicious and light combination of tea with sandwiches and cakes is ideal for a little afternoon indulgence.

You can choose to have your afternoon tea with artisan tea, a glass of Prosecco, cocktail, champagne, or a Hendrick’s tea cocktail, with prices ranging from £15.50 per person to £25, depending on what tipple you fancy. Vegan and gluten-free afternoon tea is also available on request.

The menu offers an interesting assortment of artisan loose leaf teas, so we were intrigued to try some. We sampled Shades of Grey – a refreshing take on the classic Earl Grey – a light and zesty black tea with a hint of rose; Cumberland Classic – black Darjeeling and Assam teas from India and Sri Lankan Uva; and Pink Parade – the height of flamboyant charm and colourful character with a delicate combination of exclusive white tea and fragrant rose petals, served with honey.

Other options included a strong and gutsy Chrysler breakfast tea, Graham Greene and chocolate, a calming and aromatic Chamomile, or refreshing peppermint tea. Something for all tastes.

Our wonderful afternoon tea began with a flavoursome amuse-bouche of venison pate on a crisp crouton with cranberry.

Our attentive and friendly waiter then delivered our three-tier stand of treats, each layer beautifully presented upon the art deco stand, very in keeping with the Cumberland’s theme.

We dived straight in to the yummy selection of fresh finger sandwiches. These included cucumber with cream cheese; egg mayonnaise with cress on wholemeal; smoked salmon on wholemeal; and chicken with mustard mayonnaise. Each slice was generously filled and simply delicious.

Our sweet offerings included warm homemade raisin and cinnamon scones served with strawberry jam and generously filled pots of Dorset clotted cream, and a selection of stunning small French pastries which included; raspberry, lemon, vanilla and cream pots with meringue, chocolate and caramel biscuit base bites, lemon and raspberry macaroons, ginger cheesecake, choux pastries, mint, strawberries and raspberries.

Each element was beautifully crafted and the whole selection provided a mouth-watering blend of brilliant flavours.

A truly decadent afternoon tea. The service and ambience were top-notch and it’s certainly a Bournemouth experience to try.

The Cumberland Hotel

W: www.cumberlandhotel.oceana-collection.com

T: 01202 290722