Went to the Orangery for the first time today for a special family birthday/festive treat and was blown away. Setting and decorations were beautiful, as was the attention to detail. The staff were friendly and helpful and having the historical guide present to explain the history of the room and abbey was a lovely touch. We had the Dickensian afternoon tea and it was exceptional. Lots of different themed items to try and every one was delicious. Probably the best afternoon tea we’ve ever had. Will definitely be back!
We had afternoon tea. It was a great experience for my son’s birthday. The food was graphed. The staff were very kind and attentive. The atmosphere was calm. We enjoyed it a lot and we are returning clients.
Just been for lunch with a friend today never been before but has been recommended to me many times. On arrival it was busy but not overly so, it took a while for someone to take our order we ordered food and 2 cokes. Food took quite a while and drinks hadn't arrived by the time my friends food came out, we asked about the drinks and i waited for my meal to arrive. Drinks still didn't arrive the waiter I could see was bringing out food for other tables im still waiting for my meal and our drinks I told my friend to start eating as she had a hot meal and it would get cold but she didn't have her drink. I remain patiently waiting, I then see the waiter going to clear the table behind us . I ask if my meal and our drinks are coming he then goes off to get my meal and asks what drinks we ordered. I informed him coke zero and a normal coke. Friends finished her meal im just starting mine drinks arrived diet coke and coke zero not what we ordered. Call the waiter back again to correct the drinks order. So service not great maybe it was just us but staff did not seem to be organised/ trained in how to wait tables only made more frustrating by the 4 members of staff over the counter talking and not appearing to have much to do. I don't know what happened with our drinks order but 2 cokes isn't very challenging and why it wasn't noticed that we had more than one meal to be served i don't know. Something went wrong today. I will go again and see what happens next time.
However, the food was absolutely lovely ... once it arrived but would have been nice to eat with my friend not seperately and I shouldn't of had to be chasing up my meal and our drinks.
This was our third time having afternoon tea at Delapre Abbey & it has to be said, the food was superb.
I loved the fact they served us savoury scones & a genuinely interesting selection of savoury items. Alongside one of the most delicious scones (I think they said it was a custard scone!).
The setting is fabulous and the service was excellent, I appreciated being able to box up our leftovers.
Thoroughly recommended and great value for money.
Went for iced coffee after the outdoor cinema screening. Waited 15 mins at the counter for 2 iced coffees. I simply asked if I could check on my order as it had been a while, and people who came before me had been served. I got grunts from the teenage server, who snapped that "its busy" and shock his head. He also pointed at another customer and said "she ordered at 24 and you ordered at 26". I said OK, just checking as someone had taken my ticket down & started making the drinks but wandered off. The manager said to me, "it's busy and the machine isn't designed to go quickly" I just replied OK. A few mins later my iced coffees (simply made up of one cup of ice, with milk & one shot of coffee) were slammed on the counter without my name, so I just assumed they were for me. Rudeness like that doesnt need to exist in hospitality. All workplaces get busy- acknowledge it, apologise for the delay/thank the customer for their patience- its not difficult. Get more/better staff and a quicker coffee machine!
