Today took us to the The Old Stables Tea Room, just outside Alnwick (on the roundabout just up from the Lion Bridge on the B6352). This lovely little cafe is situated in part of the stable block of a big old house.
Although they serve a lovely selection of yummy cakes and light lunches, we opted for our habitual cheese scones.
We were offered these slightly warmed and they arrived just warm enough to feel fresh from the oven, but not so hot as to melt the butter – perfect!. They were served with a very generous pot of butter, soft enough to spread easily (don’t you just hate trying to spread hard straight-from-the-fridge butter?) . The scones excellent: soft and very light with a little bit of cheese baked on the top. We accompanied them with a pot of tea for mum and hot chocolate (choice of milk or dark chocolate) for me, served with a big swirl of cream.
The cafe has a friendly team of staff and also includes a small shop area with a selection of cards and gifts. It’s usually quite full, especially in the summer holiday season and even today most of the empty tables were reserved when we arrived. It’s probably work booking in advance at busy times
As we were leaving, afternoon tea was being served to one table, complete with dainty sandwiches and cakes . It looked lovely – something to think about for another time.
What’s the nicest afternoon tea you’ve ever had?
Stitches by the Sea 
I love a scone. Do we pronounce SCON or SCONE that is the big question? 🤓
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That is a VERY controversial issue and a source of dissent here at Stitches by the Sea HQ. I say SCON and K says SCONE. They say that opposites attract!
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It is definitely scone, as in traffic cone, or ice cream cone
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I beg to differ. it’s SCONN. And so say 9 of the eleven people at today’s knit and natter.
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I am a SCON person but bizarrely mu mother says scone 🤔
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Just up the road from the site of the Battle of Alnwick 1093. This is where Malcolm 3 rd of Scotland was killed (he of Malcolm in Shakespeares Macbeath).
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Thank you for the History notes!
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Another heavenly description! You are so right about the butter. In the USA they tend to serve little brick hard pats. I’ve been known to clutch one in my hand to get it to the right temperature for spreading:) And I say scone:)
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Thank you! I sometimes put those hard, foil-wrapped butter pats against my hot coffee cup so they soften.
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