Ripley Castle and Gardens, Harrogate

Whilst searching for a place to visit on a rainy sunday (sunday 3rd May 2008 - a bank holiday no less), my partner and I decided to try out Ripley Castle. The prices were not that bad, especially considering the length of the tour and delightful wealth of information bestowed on us from our very friendly tour guide. The weather was still awful once this was over, so we hurried over to the tearooms for a drink. We had not eaten lunch and had not expected to be whisked immediately into a tour, and were therefore very hungry by 3pm. We saw with pleasure the place was not busy and were convinced we had done the right thing by not lingering in the gift shop. It took a while to be seated, despite there being only 4 tables in use and 5 staff present. All I can say is, we should have taken this as a sign! Soon after we had ordered (1 white coffee, 1 hot chocolate, 1 teacake and 1 cake from the counter), the rest of the group arrived and were duly seated. Half an hour later we received the teacakes. Expecting the rest to follow, we waited. And waited. And waited. Everyone in the entire room had been served except for us. This included those who had ordered whole meals. Finally, I went over to where the 5 incapable staff were stood and asked where the rest of our order had gone. No apology was offered, nor explanation. Just an obssession with asking which table I was at. Ten minutes later, we were still waiting and we made the decision to leave. My partner, having worked in the industry himself, decided to let them know rather than leaving the money for the teacakes as I wished to do. He returned with a look of amazement and informed me they were almost finished with our order. A few minutes later one of the girls finally came over with a black coffee and the wrong cake from the cabinet. Still no apology, just a scared look. By this time the entire room was staring at us due to our continued rising from the table. We left the money for what they had given us and walked out, leaving the unwanted black coffee and the unwanted cake. I have never walked out of a restaurant, let alone tea room. I have also never written a review before today. I guess at least the tearoom has given me a voice, however angry it has left me.