Earl Grey Tea House - Northumberland

I was excited to visit this tea room after reading about its heritage on the website. While the scones and tea were enjoyable, we were disappointed with the service. We ordered two cream teas, but the menu did not specify the type of scone, so I requested a plain one. The server's attitude towards my request was unwelcoming. Additionally, the tea was served in plain white crockery that was less elegant than expected.

The Earl Grey tea tasted more like English breakfast tea, with only a faint hint of Bergamot. It seemed as though the previous pot may have contained Earl Grey. The tea was served with tired slices of lemon. The service was lacking, as it seemed as though arriving at 3 p.m was an inconvenience, even though the tearoom closes at 4 p.m. Perhaps the new staff members could benefit from additional training, as the regular staff are normally warm and welcoming. It is disappointing, as the tearoom has always been a delightful treat after a leisurely walk through the beautiful grounds.

Spacious tearoom with outside seating also. Food good. Some staff friendly but one or two a bit surly at times, probably due to difficult customers

Visited Thursday 8th September on the afternoon. Very busy, food was nice other than rarebit which was a slice of bread/toast in a dish covered in cheese sauce? Ladies working front of house were both pleasant and helpful. Visited Friday 9th September at opening time of 10.30am and the attitude of two staff members in particular couldnt have been more different. Important to say the lady serving who had a blonde bob was very polite, which is more than could be said for her 2 colleagues. We had been advised by a local person not to wait outside for the tea room to open as it would annoy the staff and it seems she was right! We entered at 10.30am, following one of the staff in to the tearoom (looking like she had just rolled out of bed), only for her to glower at us and then 'let the door go ' in my face. Another member of staff was very obvious in lifting her arm up to look at her watch. Other than the lady with the blonde bob, they could not have been more disinteresfed. Given the other reviews re the same, perhaps this needs looking into. An embarassment and very poor advert for the business

This tea room is listed as a place to stop on the Coasts Castles cycling trail. Alas, we were not quite good enough for the Earl. Access to the tea room is only available via the gardens at nearly £9 each. The security on the door was also less than the charming Northumbrian welcome we have become used to over the last couple of days. What a shame. Perhaps the C C folk should take this off their stop list?