Categories:

The magic of Festive Afternoon Tea begins months before we dare to whisper the words, “The holidays are coming.”

Behind the scenes, Head Pastry Chef Ashleigh Pitcher and her team work year-round to craft a truly memorable experience.

Each year begins with a vision: to create innovative patisseries that elevate their own incredibly high standard. For 2024, the team set out to create a timeless yet contemporary menu, offering guests a feast for the senses.


It all started with inspiration from beloved festive flavours - zesty orange, rich chocolate, and warming spices. The result is a thoughtful flavour story of:


Hazelnut Tart
64% Valrhona Manjari Ganache, Hazelnut Crème Patisserie, Feuilltine, Salted Caramelised Hazelnuts

Spiced Apple Bauble
Mascarpone Mousse, Spiced Apple Compote, Brown Butter Streusel, Ginger Glass

Christmas Chocolate Yule Log
Chocolate Sponge, Chocolate & Orange Namelaka, Orange Jam, Fresh Cream, Orange Confit

Once the flavours were chosen, the real challenge began; developing innovative presentations that reflect the joy of the season.

The magnificent Spiced Apple Bauble is a prime example of this challenge. It underwent the most intensive development process – with multiple variations, recipes, and flavour combinations coming before it made the final menu.

Chef’s recommendation:

Head Pastry Chef, Ashleigh Pitcher, is especially excited for guests to try her team’s unique take on a traditional yule log. Their Christmas Chocolate Yule Log is delicately elevated with a hint of orange zest and a touch of Cointreau, providing a modern twist on a classic.

Step into the warmth of the Old Hall for Festive Afternoon Tea this December.

Latest Eat & Drink Articles

Christmas Cocktail Recipes

From the heart of the Old Hall to the heart of your home, our Mulled Old Fashioned and Sloe Gin Fizz are the perfect celebratory tipples.

Rockliffe Hall submits plans for multimillion-pound renovation

Rockliffe Hall, the award-winning five-star resort hotel and historic destination in the north east of England, has submitted two planning applications as part of a renovation project aimed at cementing its reputation as the leading resort in the region with international appeal.

James Close reveals the inspiration behind TERRA

We sat down with James Close to talk about how a family trip to San Sebastian became the inspiration for TERRA, found out where to go for the best steak and discovered which restaurant is next on his list to visit!