"My friend and I returned yesterday, 24/10/2014, looking forward to the same very enjoyable experience mentioned in my previous review of 29/04/2014. Well I'm sad to say it was very disappointing and we won't be going back for a third time.Service was patchy and perfunctory, and the glass teapots were in serious need of a good clean. My friend had the Jasmine Tea, which is almost clear in appearance. The inner metal core of the pot which held her tea was badly stained with tannin from previous servings and the rims of both our teapots were stained and grubby. This isn't hidden staining, it is all too evident and the server, or the kitchen, either don't bother to check, or just don't care.The kitchen had apparently run out of the Assam Tea I requested, so the woman serving us went to some sort of display box behind the sofa we were seated and took some tea from that. This might explain why my pot of tea tasted musty and stale.We had opted for the Royal Tea, which includes a glass of champagne. We asked to have the champagne before the afternoon tea was served, and what we were given were 2 , only 2/3 full, glasses, complete with water marks on the bases of the flutes and a smear of grease on mine.After the champagne, we waited, and we waited, and we waited, until finally, after catching someone's eye, we were served with the food. Another long wait ensued before the teapots arrived. The concept of drinking the tea whilst eating the sandwiches, cakes and scones seemed to have been overlooked.Trying to attract anyone's attention was a waste of time. Perhaps I had slipped into my invisibility cloak by mistake!No-one did a check-back, to see if we were happy with the food, no-one offered a refill of the teapots, and it seemed like no-one was too bothered about the quality of the experience at all.Afternoon Tea is supposed to be a refined, relaxed, enjoyable experience,with a certain charm and élan to it, but the serving staff seemed rather more preoccupied with carrying bowls of chips and hot snacks to the other occupants of the Marble Lounge, than ensuring that 2 middle aged ladies had a pleasant afternoon. Finally, unable to attract anyone's attention to our table, we went to the desk and paid, and a word of thanks there for our custom might have been nice, but that was neglected too.Sorry, Chilston Park, we won't be back."
