When Life Gives You Car Problems… Go Get Afternoon Tea Anyway!

You know those days when everything that could possibly go wrong decides to happen all at once?

Yeah, that was my afternoon tea day. But honestly, sometimes the best experiences come from the most chaotic beginnings – and let me tell you, the Priest House in Castle Donington totally made up for all the pre-tea drama.

The Comedy of Errors Before the Tea

Let’s start with the real talk here – I spent my morning repainting my front door (glamorous life of a content creator, right?), then had to rush to get the car cleaned because showing up to afternoon tea with bird poop decorating your vehicle is just not the vibe.

But here’s where it gets interesting. You know how car washes are supposed to make your life easier? Well, mine decided to turn into a mini disaster movie. My car window literally refused to close properly, turning what should have been a simple wash into an indoor swimming pool situation. Window regulator issues – apparently that’s a thing, and apparently it was my thing that day.

Then, because the universe has a sense of humor, my car charger decided to call it quits. Cue the £15 panic purchase at Currys (seriously, why are phone chargers more expensive than some meals?). But you know what? Sometimes these little setbacks just make the destination even sweeter.

The Priest House: Worth Every Chaotic Minute

When we finally pulled up to the Priest House, all that morning stress just melted away. This place is literally like stepping into a fairytale – and I’m not even being dramatic here. Built around a Norman mill tower with actual water wheels, this place has been serving up experiences for almost 1000 years. Talk about having some serious history under your belt!

The location is absolutely stunning. We’re talking banks of the River Trent, surrounded by lush countryside that makes you feel like you’ve escaped to another world. It’s one of those “middle of nowhere” spots that’s actually worth the trip – and trust me, I’m usually all about convenience.

The Afternoon Tea Experience

Now let’s talk about the real star of the show – the food! The afternoon tea at the Priest House comes served on a gorgeous three-tiered stand (because how else would you do afternoon tea, right?). Here’s what made my foodie heart sing:

The Sandwich Situation: A selection of delicate finger sandwiches including smoked salmon with cream cheese and watercress, cured ham with whole grain mustard, classic cucumber with cracked black pepper, and free-range egg mayonnaise with rocket leaves. Can we just take a moment to appreciate that they actually tell you what’s in each sandwich? As someone who’s not exactly adventurous with mystery fillings, this was a game-changer.

Scone Perfection: Traditional fruit scones served with homemade jam and clotted cream. These were absolutely divine – and yes, I’m that person who takes photos of scones because they looked too good not to document.

Sweet Treats Galore: A selection of freshly baked pastries and cakes that changes seasonally. The variety was impressive, and everything tasted as good as it looked.

The Setting Makes All the Difference: We ended up in the cosy Millstream Bar, though on a nicer day you can take your afternoon tea out on the terrace overlooking the river. The atmosphere is exactly what you want for this kind of experience – relaxed, elegant, but not stuffy.

Why I’m Already Planning My Return

Here’s the thing about the Priest House – it’s not just about the food (though that’s obviously a major plus). It’s about the entire experience. The staff were lovely and attentive without being overbearing. The historic setting gives you plenty to chat about between bites. And honestly? After a whole pot of coffee and all that food, the riverside walk was exactly what we needed.

The venue has this perfect balance of being special enough for celebrations but comfortable enough for a casual catch-up with friends or family. Whether you’re looking to treat someone special or just want to treat yourself (which, by the way, you absolutely should), this ticks all the boxes.

The Practical Stuff You Need to Know

Booking is Essential: You can’t just rock up hoping for a table – afternoon tea needs to be booked in advance.

Pricing: Traditional afternoon tea for two starts around £39.99, with options to add prosecco if you’re feeling fancy. Honestly, for the quality and experience, it’s pretty reasonable.

Location: Kings Mills, Castle Donington, Leicestershire – yes, it’s a bit of a trek, but it’s literally 10 minutes from East Midlands Airport and easily accessible from the M1.

Perfect For: Date nights, celebrations, catching up with friends, or just because you deserve nice things. The demographic here skews toward people who appreciate quality experiences, so it’s perfect for our crowd.

Final Thoughts: Sometimes Chaos Leads to Magic

Looking back on that day, all the morning drama – the door painting, the car wash catastrophe, the overpriced phone charger – it all seems pretty insignificant compared to the lovely afternoon we ended up having. The Priest House reminded me why it’s worth making an effort for these kinds of experiences.

In our world of quick everything and instant gratification, there’s something genuinely refreshing about sitting down for a proper afternoon tea. It forces you to slow down, actually taste your food, and have real conversations without the usual distractions.

So here’s my challenge to you: book that afternoon tea. Make that reservation. Put on something nice (but comfortable – you’re going to be eating a lot). Take your mum, your partner, your best friend, or hell, take yourself. Life’s too short to not experience a proper afternoon tea at a place with 1000 years of history and the most gorgeous riverside setting you’ll find.

Trust me, even if your car decides to have a meltdown on the way there, it’ll be worth every chaotic minute.

Have you been to the Priest House or anywhere similar for afternoon tea? Drop me a comment – I’m always looking for my next foodie adventure! Watch My Vlog Here: