White Monk Tea Room – Blanchland

This is a revisit review for us today of the White Monk Tea Room. As one of our all time favourite places to go for a drive and a bit of fresh air, Blanchland is not only the prettiest little place you ever did see, but they also have a cracking tea room AND a very nice pub.

What more do you need for a Sunday drive in the countryside?

We visit regularly and I thought I’d share with you again what we think, since our last review in 2014 as more people need to know about what the White Monk Tea Room in Blanchland has to offer …..

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 in the old School House 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  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 (£7.20) 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 always go for the pea + ham because not only am I a creature of habit, it’s just bloody lovely!

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! Yes, the food isn’t served to a Michelin standard or dresses with edible flowers and foam. Not the most photogenic but you know what I am talking about. It’s honest. It’s home prepared and it’s welcomed. Just look at those wedges of cheese in my sandwich. It’s how you’d make it at home when you can’t find the cheese grater and that’s why people love the homely vibe of the White Monk.

The top photo is July 2016, the one below is April 2014. Nothing has changed and we hope it stays that way!

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 has rooms above to stay and a pretty glorious beer garden for an afternoon pint after your afternoon tea!

We worked off our lunch with a long, VERY bracing walk around Derwent Reservoir!

Prices have risen slightly since our 2014 review but with around 20p on the soup and I do believe around £1 on the afternoon tea but they are

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