After an unfortunate accident during a trip to Enchanted Christmas at Whitworth Hall last year, the manager presented us with a gift voucher for Sunday lunch at the hotel as way of an apology. We decided to redeem our voucher in May and booked a table online without any problems.
Whitworth Hall is only a 3 star hotel but it feels a lot grander than that. It's a lovely building with beautiful grounds. After what happened last time we weren't brave enough to enter the deer enclosure but the kids still loved feeding them through the fence. There were a few other families inside and they didn't seem to be having any problems. You can buy deer food from the hotel reception desk.
The Library is quite a formal dining room with proper napkins, fancy cutlery and chair covers. Whilst Jack perused the menu, Heidi found it funny to style a new hat!
I think Whitworth Hall may be the only place I have ever been where there isn't a children's menu or any mention of children on the main menu. If I didn't have a gift voucher I would have had to ask what the provisions were for children - I am still unsure if they pay full price or receive a discount. It's something to keep in mind should you visit.
Sunday lunch is £14.95 for 2 courses which is a bargain. We all opted for slow cooked beef and it was deliciously tender. The gravy was nice and meaty and the Yorkshires and Roast Potatoes were homemade and perfect.
 |
| Jack Vs Yorkshire Pudding |
A word about service - although the food was superb we did feel let down by the service. We waited FOREVER to order and then there was another long wait as we waited for our main course plates to be cleared. This is fine if you are looking for a leisurely Sunday lunch but those of you with kids will know, it's best to move things a long at a quick pace. I would have appreciated it if the service had been a little more attentive.
For dessert the boys ordered treacle sponge and vanilla ice cream which they devoured, Heidi went for the ice cream and for me it was the raspberry sorbet and fresh fruit salad - all wonderful.
Another niggle with the service though - this time the staff making comments about how hard it is having three children. I know she might have been trying to make conversation but I think this is an inappropriate comment. Then as we paid our drinks we were asked if we wanted to wait for our chang (£3). Again, I feel like this sort of comment is completely inappropriate.
I realise I sound like a bit of a whinge bag here and I really don't mean to be. Our experience overall was a very positive one. The food was fabulous and well worth the drive we thought.
I noticed that Whitworth Hall offer afternoon tea in the lounge for only £14 per person and there is a children's version for £4.95 which includes finger sandwiches, gingerbread deer biscuits and fruit fingers with fruit coulis. This sounds like a bargain and I think my three would love it so I am sure we will be back in the summer to try this out.
Why not join our North East Food Lovers Facebook Group where we share more reviews and recommendations of places to eat on in the North East.
I don't think you sound whingy at all, bad service is a huge bugbear of mine and you're right, those comments were unnecessary, especially the one about the change, sure fire way to get the tip cut in half in my eyes!
ReplyDeleteI think you've listed a lot of valid statements and it's definitely not up to the staff to comment on life with 3 children, clearly it's easier than good service ;) Sorry, I know I'm being glib but there's a serious point there.
ReplyDeleteI haven't been to Whitworth for a couple of years, i've shot a couple of weddings there, the grounds are so gorgeous and the deer, well I adore the deer but I've never had any issues with them.
I do like whitworth and have been many times but it's not what it was when I used to visit quite regularly. The food, however, seems to be the same as then - excellent.
ReplyDeleteI do think that the problem with the deer in Autumn was because of it being rutting season. People shouldn't have been in the area!