Boutique hotel launches new afternoon tea sessions

The Crazy Bear hotel in Stadhampton has ripped up the rule book to offer a table-loaded tea party of delights, according to its owners.

Forget dainty – in Crazy Bear style the new ‘Afternoon Tea Feast’ concept is a twist on the conventional.

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An endless spread of finger sandwiches, warm scones, homemade macarons, cakes and patisserie-style treats are piled high on a bespoke wooden feasting table, a handmade feature piece in the new residents’ lounge.

Complete with a vintage vinyl record player, cocktail trolley, and snug seating, the residents’ lounge is a place where guests can relax.

The Afternoon Tea Feast starts with a glass of Prosecco.

Afternoon tea at the Crazy Bear (Image: Nick Tucker Photography)

“Our new Afternoon Tea Feast is a sight to behold,” said Jen Needham, marketing director at Crazy Bear.

“It’s the latest step in our food and drink revamp and an appetite is essential as this is not a run-of-the-mill, dainty afternoon tea and going for it is encouraged.

“Whether it’s enjoyed in our relaxed residents’ lounge or outside across our gardens, you won’t find better than the Afternoon Tea Feast anywhere else.”

Booking for the Afternoon Tea Feast is recommended but customers who turn up without booking will be accommodated where possible.

Served between 2pm and 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays and bank holidays, the Afternoon Tea Feast is priced at £40 per person.

An afternoon tea feast at the Crazy Bear in Stadhampton (Image: Nick Tucker Photography)

You can check the Crazy Bear’s social media channels for availability as pre-booked events, including weddings, birthday parties and anniversaries, might be taking place.

The launch of the new afternoon concept follows a relaunch at Crazy Bear in June, as a new era was kicked off with a refreshed menu, hedgerow cocktail range and refurbished spaces.

Hundreds of guests packed the venue near Wallingford and were treated to acts including festival favourites The Cuban Brothers, a dance-off led by leading Latin dancers Ksenia Zsikhotska and Krystof Grzelak, and award-winning comedian and presenter Matt Richardson.

Former The Xtra Factor presenter Mr Richardson is originally from Didcot.

Founded in 1993, the Crazy Bear in Stadhampton is complete with 18 rooms, a cosy 16th century pub, an eclectic choice of indoor and outdoor spaces to eat and drink, plus secret garden and woodland.

It hosts weddings and its public areas are dog-friendly.

Its sister site in Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, has 35 individually designed bedrooms, restaurants, bar and an outdoor swimming pool, and is less than 30 minutes by train from London.