REVIEW – Hogarths Children’s Afternoon Tea Solihull

#ad – afternoon tea was provided in exchange for our honest review

****UPDATE – 2022 – I returned to Hogarths today with my family to celebrate my daughter’s 9th birthday. After a terrible customer service experience and a cock up with the booking (despite ringing twice to arrange and confirm), rude waitress and a lack of clarity over what exactly was or wasn’t on offer with the afternoon tea, we left without eating. An absolute embarrassment and completely ruined our day. I can no longer recommend Hogarths based on this experience. ****

Just before Erin started school in September 2017, we had a week of Mum / Daughter dates – days where we got to spend some quality one on one time together, going on special days out and trips that would help us create memories we could cherish forever. I was looking for somewhere that offered a children’s afternoon tea in Solihull, and when I found out that Hogarths one just for children, I knew that this would be a really fun treat for both of us. A chance to pop on a posh frock, and enjoy some time chatting together over a lovely lunch, with let Erin feel like a proper grown just before she started big school. It went down an absolute treat, and you can read our original children’s afternoon tea review here.

Hogarths in Dorridge, Solihull have recently updated their children’s afternoon tea offering (appropriately called Kidz afternoon tea) and we were recently invited back to check it out with the family. I couldn’t wait to head back to the hotel where I have experienced many happy family occasions (including my friends wedding, my Mum and Dad’s anniversary meal and my Great Aunt and Uncles golden anniversary to name but a few!). With gorgeous views across the beautiful landscaped gardens and a walk down to the lake, this sounded like a lovely day out for us as part of Erin’s Easter holidays.

Read on to learn more about our experience! Hogarths have also offered my readers £5 off a children’s afternoon tea making it just £10 per person. To book either call 01564779988 or book online and quote REALMUM10 valid until August 31st 2019, subject to availability, (excludes father’s day).

What is the Hogarths Kidz Afternoon Tea / Children’s Afternoon Tea?

The Kidz afternoon tea at Hogarths is exactly as it sounds – an afternoon tea tailored perfectly for children. Whilst the traditional “grown up” afternoon tea might not always be quite to their taste, the children’s afternoon tea has something for even the most picky of eaters to enjoy.

First up is the drink – and despite the name, the children’s afternoon tea doesn’t involve any tea at all! Children can pick from either chocolate, banana or strawberry milkshake or a hot chocolate, and these can be replenished as often as they like during their meal. Erin chose to have a chocolate milkshake, and she very quickly got stuck in when it arrived with its frothy top and a (paper) straw.

At Hogarths, the afternoon teas come in two stages – with the savory offerings coming out first, so don’t be surprised when they don’t bring out the tiered plateholder straight away – good things come to those who wait.

For the children’s afternoon tea, the savory selection is just fantastic. A mini fillet of fish in batter and “chip” potato wedges, a small slice of cheese and tomato pizza, a jam and butter roll and a little tin bucket full to the brim of kettle chips. The presentation was great, and Erin loved the fact that the fish and chips were served in their very own little newspaper cone design just like at the seaside.

Obviously we weren’t just sitting watching while Erin tucked in, and we treated ourselves to Hogarths traditional afternoon tea, which equally did not disappoint. Hogarths cater very well for any specific dietary requirements you may have, and were more than happy for me to swap the fish option for something else. The mushroom and goats cheese tart was delicious and despite not being something that I would have normally chosen from a menu, I was very pleasantly surprised. As always, the sandwiches were very fresh, and we could have asked for more if we wished (something that is fairly unique to Hogarths I believe!).

After filling ourselves up nicely on savory, it was time for the main event (and in my world, dessert goes in a separate tummy so there will always be room!).

Erin’s sweet selection was pretty impressive, and she looked chuffed to bits to have her very own tier of plates (whilst Mum and Dad had to share!). Hogarths have captured a child’s imagination perfectly in their Kidz afternoon tea, with everything presented in a way that will automatically be appealing to a child.

Sticking to its traditional roots, the Kidz afternoon tea also comes with a freshly baked scone with clotted creme and jam. As with every afternoon tea, the correct order in which to apply these is subject to some debate!

Whilst Erin was covering her face in hundreds and thousands from her chocolate lollipop, Mike and I got to tuck into our very own sweet selection, including a vanilla mouse with rhubarb and apple, a lemon macaroon with gin and tonic pipette (yum!), banana bread with a crunchy walnut brittle, and a caramelia tart with orange gel and orange compote. Each individual sweet was absolutely delicious, with the mouse being so light and fresh. I loved the added touch of the pipette in the macaroon as a fun little extra and as always the scones themselves were super fresh – baked onsite on the day to ensure that perfect crisp outside edge but fluffy crumbly centre.

From the little pot of melt in the mouth candy floss, to the popping candle truffle lollipop sprinkled with hundreds and thousands, Hogarths definitely know their audience! Even the crab biscuit went down a treat, with Erin only leaving one bite of brownie because she was simply too stuffed to eat any more!

After admitting defeat and accepting that the last few crumbs of scone would have to be left (although you can ask for a goodybag if you wish), we decided to go for a quick walk around the grounds. Sadly the glorious sunshine we’ve had over the Easter weekend hadn’t quite reached us at this point (hence the coats!), but it didn’t detract from Hogarth’s beautiful surroundings. Erin loved walking over the bridge and peering down at the moss covered lake below.

Having been for a fair few afternoon teas in the Solihull area, for me Hogarths still remains up there with the best, and I have never come away disappointed. The Hogarths Children’s Afternoon tea / Kidz Afternoon tea costs £15 per head, with the traditional afternoon tea costing £25. There are also sparkling afternoon tea options available should you wish to make the occasion that little more special!

You can learn more, check out the full menu and book over on the Hogarth’s website here.

*Disclosure – We were provided with complimentary afternoon teas in exchange for our honest review. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own*