The Falcondale at Lampeter

Environment: The hotel is set in beautiful, tranquil grounds, offering stunning views and a peaceful environment perfect for relaxation or exploration of the surrounding area.

Falconade advertises that they offer a Vegan Afternoon Tea upon request, stating they require advance notice to prepare it, suggesting something would actually be made specifically for it. Unfortunately, what we received did not meet even our lowest expectations. The selection included: - Three shop-bought cakes/ biscuits, along with one brownie from the regular afternoon tea. - One single Linda McCartney sausage. - 4 tiny, half-filled sandwich quarters with disappointing fillings. One had only a couple slices of pepper, another 3 thin slices of cucumber. - Jam and cream, which we weren't sure were vegan, and disappointingly, no scone. When we asked about the scone, the server apologetically informed us that they didn’t offer vegan scones or any alternatives, and she took the jam and cream away, stating they were offered by mistake. This left the vegan afternoon tea considerably smaller than the regular option, which felt quite disappointing. The only notable item in the entire vegan tea was the brownie, which, while nice, was only vegan by coincidence as it was also included in the regular selection. For the price we paid, we could have easily bought full packets of the shop-bought items, such as jam tarts and Linda McCartney sausages, and still had money left over. The regular afternoon tea was somewhat less disappointing but still felt overpriced. We received just seven tiny quarter sandwiches to share between the two of us, which were only half-filled at most. Alongside these, we had a sausage roll and a mini quiche each. We also enjoyed a scone each, served with jam and crème to share, along with a selection of four cakes each, which were quite tasty. However, the savory items really let down the regular afternoon tea, and all of the food fell short for the vegan option. It was truly a shame, especially considering the lovely conservatory setting, which had so much potential for a luxurious experience. The staff were extremely friendly and attentive. Overall, the location and everything—except for the food—were of top standard, making it even more disappointing. While I wouldn’t recommend the afternoon tea at all, particularly for those with dietary requirements, I would suggest visiting for a coffee or an evening drink to appreciate the beautiful surroundings.

Given the opportunity I would rate our experience as VERY GOOD. What a find !! Lovely sight of a grand old house at end of long driveway, lovely large surrounding private grounds. Very impressed. All staff very welcoming, friendly, helpful, polite and efficient. Many period details survive. Large elegant dining room, welcoming lounge. Large sun kissed conservatory and terrace. Room was very nice with large ensuite. Thoroughly recommend.