Happy days, expensive nights: Afternoon Tea

[dropcap]W[/dropcap]elcome to Travel’s new column! Each issue we will be telling you about something amazing you can do on a day off, close to campus, that costs less than a night out.

For my friend’s birthday, I decided that I wanted to do something a little more original than the standard toiletries/chocolate/clothes present that I would normally stick to, with very little long-lasting appreciation from the receiver of the gift.

I decided it would be great to take her out and actually do something, so that I could create a memory for her rather than a gift that would get used up or forgotten.

I ended up taking her out for afternoon tea at a hotel called Coombe Abbey Hotel, on the outskirts of Coventry.

The food was incredible, the hotel and its surrounding gardens were breathtaking, and the afternoon only cost £17.75.

The hotel is your typical grand hotel (I say typical, but I’ve never actually stayed in a hotel as grand as this one), suited perfectly to weddings and gentile afternoon tea, but the décor has been given a medieval twist, so there’s nothing generic about the place.

We had our afternoon tea in a bright, airy conservatory, with various cakes, scones and sandwiches beautifully presented on a three-tiered glass platter, and a teapot each of peppermint tea.

photo: Coombe Abbey Hotel

The staff were lovely, the atmosphere was laid-back and friendly, so that overall it was a brilliant afternoon out. At a cost of £17.75 per person, this easily beats a night out for price, and it’s something very different.

While this isn’t something you’d do every weekend, it would certainly make for a great afternoon of procrastination and would help you get away from the hustle and bustle of university life.

The website for this hotel is www.coombeabbey.com and their phone number for afternoon tea reservations is 02476450450.

Alternatively, if you fancy popping out for afternoon tea and are more Leamington-inclined, Vinteas on Park Street does an afternoon tea lay-up for £13.50 and the Mallory Court Hotel on Harbury Lane also does one for £12.50.

Personally, I think the beautiful and secluded surroundings of Coombe Abbey are worth the extra few pounds, but it really depends on the experience you’re going for.

If you have a suggestion for a great student day out that costs less than a night out, and would like to see your name in the Boar, email travel@theboar.org with your idea.