Bulls Head Chislehurst Afternoon Tea Review
Only a short walk from Chislehurst train station, the route to The Bull’s Head is the perfect prelude before sitting down to afternoon tea: amble around the cricket field, cut through the church yard and cross a small wild meadow, before arriving at your destination. By the time you get there you’ll feel quaintly British and in the right mindset for enjoying tea.
Light, airy and with a comfortable atmosphere like you’re relaxing in a friend’s home, the tea rooms at the Bull’s Head have only been open for five months, but are already proving a hit. Teas are served daily from 2pm to 5pm and the attentive and friendly staff explained that tables regularly book out at weekends.
This certainly rung true on the Saturday that we visited as families celebrating birthdays and groups of girlfriends took their places and filled up the tables. But just because it was busy, it didn’t mean that the staff weren’t prompt, attentive and able to stop and chat.
Delicious Afternoon Tea Menus
Once seated you’re actively encouraged to take tea at your own pace. Spend time browsing the menu, which includes a choice of three different styles of tiered teas, – Traditional, Decadent and A Most Unusual – cream tea, or simply coffee and cake.
We chose ‘A Most Unusual Afternoon Tea’, comprising of a delightful – and too easy to drink! – pot of Hendricks Gin Floradora Tea Cup Cocktail (Hendricks Gin, Ginger Ale, Fresh Raspberries and Cucumber) to start, followed by a pot of tea and three-tiers of food that was perfectly portioned to leave you feeling full, satisfied and like you’ve had a suitably indulgent afternoon. At £23 per person it’s excellent value too.
Savoury finger sandwiches will start you off. Enjoy five traditional fillings of salmon and cream cheese, ham and mustard, egg and cress, cheese with homemade pickle and coronation chicken.
A selection of small, but perfectly formed, finger fancies and cakes will satisfy your sweet tooth on the second tier. You can try to savour each one, but don’t feel guilty if you fail. They are the perfect size for eating in a single bite. Our favourites were a sticky apricot tart and chocolate cup filled with a light mousse and topped with a strawberry and mint leaf.
As is protocol with afternoon tea, the top tier is reserved for fresh scones. Enjoy a plain and a sultana scone and smother it in a choice of jams and clotted cream.
Of course, tea wouldn’t be tea without a pot of the hot stuff. The Bull’s Head menu offers nine blends and the staff are willing and able to talk you through each one if you find you need some extra guidance. We opted for the Lapsang Souchang, a wonderfully smoky black tea, and the Blue Lady, a local Kent blend with light floral notes and a taste of traditional Turkish Delight. Pot refills are available, giving you the option to enjoy more than one blend during your tea experience.
Book Afternoon Tea at the Bull’s Head
If you’re local, live in Kent, or even if you travel from London like we did (it is only 30 minutes on the train) then this is a new gem that’s certainly worth a visit. Book your table at The Bull’s Head Tea Rooms today.
Our thanks to Rose Crompton for this tasty review.