A HAMPSHIRE zoo is offering visitors a chance to take their tea like royalty.

This summer Marwell Zoo is opening a tearoom in its historic Marwell Hall.

Guests of all ages are invited to enjoy a decadent afternoon tea at the heart of the Hampshire animal sanctuary.

Visitors can indulge in freshly prepared sandwiches, warm sausage rolls and elegantly filled wraps before tackling the age-old scone debate – will you spread strawberry jam or clotted cream first?

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Marwell Zoo (Image: Jason Brown)

Handmade cakes and pastries on stands are accompanied by cafetiere coffee or a range of teas.

Guests will be able to enjoy their afternoon treat a stone’s throw from the white rhino, Grevy’s zebra and scimitar-horned oryx graze.

There are also options for children with fun caterpillar and butterfly themed treats, sure to capture their imaginations and keep rumbly tummies at bay.

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Sweet and savoury Ella’s Kitchen baby food pouches will also be available for our youngest dining guests.

Vegetarian options are available and there’s a prosecco upgrade for those marking a special occasion, celebrating making it to the end of the week or enjoying something special just because!

The concept of Afternoon Tea can be traced back to the mid-19th century shortly after Marwell Hall was refashioned into the building guests see today.

There is optional prosecco (Image: Jason Brown)

Steeped in history and royal connections Marwell Hall is the perfect setting.  Parts of the roof date back to 1320 when the original medieval stone and timber hall was first built

The building has been through several renovation projects over the years but was rebuilt for the last time in 1816 and has stood proudly at the heart of the estate for 700 years.

Guests will need to select whether they’d like to arrive between 1.45pm and 2pm or between 2.15pm and 2.30pm and afternoon tea will be served every day throughout August.

The adults menu will cost £18.95 and the children’s option will be £9.95. Baby food pouches will be available for youngest guests at £3 each.

Upgrading to add prosecco will cost an additional £6 and drinks from the bar will be available at an extra cost.

To book a Marwell hall Afternoon Tea visit marwell.org.uk/afternoon-tea.

Zoo entry tickets are not included and must be purchased online prior to your visit or a valid Marwell membership held, information about zoo tickets, experiences and a full list of animals can be found at marwell.org.uk