Last weekend, we visited our favourite little country village, Blanchland for an afternoon tea at the renowned White Monk tea room.
Situated in the rolling countryside not far from Derwent Reservoir, Blanchland is a picture perfect village which is popular with walkers, bikers and people just passing through on a day out. Previously situated in what could be called a scout hut, the White Monk tea room now reside in an impressive central village location ensuring you pass it whichever way you hail from.
We have been coming here for many, many years and the quality of the food has not once changed. Always homemade, fresh and high quality, you know you will always leave full up and happy. The quality and pretty setting have helped the tea room achieve almost cult status amongst people who have been, I have yet to hear anyone go and be disappointed!
The White Monk boasts a huge selection of teas as well as coffee and soft drinks to accompany the most deliciously tasty selection of cakes, scones and tray bakes. All of which are freshly made. Along with the sweet treats, you can fill up on sandwiches and savouries such as soup, jacket potatoes, toasties and roast meat baps.
Mr T had his regular afternoon tea (£9) which consists of 4 sandwiches – Tuna, Egg, Salad, Cream Cheese + Cucumber – Scone and jam, pot of tea and a slab of cake. The jam to accompany the scone is rhubarb and ginger and it is out of this world says Mr T. You can buy this in jars to take away with you!
I went for soup and a sandwich (£7) as I don’t have a sweet tooth! The soup is always absolutely delicious and tasty. This weeks offerings were Leek + Potato, Roasted Red Pepper and Sweet Potato and Pea + Ham broth. I went for the broth and it was perfect, as per usual.
The sandwiches are jam packed with fillings and for the princely sum of 20p extra I had the White Monk homemade pickle relish in my sandwich too which is always a treat!
Service is always pleasant, polite and professional with most of the staff being presumably the teenagers of the village and surroundings.
For all the menu is quite extensive, there are no ‘hot meals’ that people may come to expect, but given that most people go for the afternoon tea, it’s not such a hardship. Especially given the soup selection! My only wish for the future of White Monk would be the introduction of chips on to the menu… solely for my benefit. Proper homemade hand cut chips. You can tell I really don’t have a sweet tooth can’t you!!
If you visit the White Monk Tea Room in Blanchland, make sure you stop off at the Lord Crewe Arms too. The village pub is due to re-open after a 2yr closure in mid April and it is meant to be haunted. We personally can’t wait to visit for food and a stay to soak up even more of the atmosphere.
We worked off our lunch with a long, VERY bracing walk around Derwent Reservoir in what seemed to be like gale force 10 winds and a photo opportunity for our new car.