Afternoon tea gets the full Crazy Bear treatment at the iconic Stadhampton venue, where the traditional three-tiered affair has been replaced with something considerably more extravagant.
We went along to experience the new Afternoon Tea Feast, a concept designed to throw out the usual afternoon tea rulebook in favour of a table-loaded spread of sweet and savoury treats.
And “feast” is certainly the right word.
Rather than arriving on a conventional afternoon tea stand, the food is piled high on a bespoke wooden feasting table in Crazy Bear’s newly refurbished residents’ lounge.
The spread includes finger sandwiches, warm scones, homemade macarons, cakes and an assortment of patisserie-style treats, with a glass of Prosecco served to start.
There is, thankfully, no expectation that you politely work your way through a fixed number of sandwiches before moving on to the cakes. The whole concept is designed around indulgence, with guests encouraged to tuck in and go back for more.
The setting adds another layer to the experience. The residents’ lounge is a cosy, eclectic space with snug seating, a vintage vinyl record player and cocktail trolley – somewhere to settle in rather than simply sit down for a quick cup of tea.
During warmer weather, guests can also enjoy the feast outside across Crazy Bear’s gardens.
The Afternoon Tea Feast is part of a wider refresh at Crazy Bear Stadhampton, following the venue’s relaunch in June. The latest changes have included a refreshed food and drink offering, a new hedgerow cocktail range and refurbished spaces.
The June relaunch was marked with a packed celebration featuring performances from festival favourites The Cuban Brothers, a dance-off led by Latin dancers Ksenia Zsikhotska and Krystof Grzelak, and comedian and presenter Matt Richardson.
For the Afternoon Tea Feast itself, the emphasis is firmly on having fun with the traditional format.
It is served from 2.00pm to 5.00pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays.
Booking is recommended, although walk-ins are accommodated where possible. As Crazy Bear also hosts weddings, birthday parties and other private events, guests are advised to check availability before visiting.
With its combination of an indulgent spread, theatrical setting and deliberately unconventional approach, the Afternoon Tea Feast is a distinctly Crazy Bear take on one of Britain’s best-loved afternoon rituals.
