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Newly planted trees sway gently in the breeze. Roses bloom amid rows of manicured buxus. A striking water feature glistens beneath the country sun.

Of all the adventures you might embark on that are just 15 minutes from Palmy’s city centre, few are as entrancing as this one. It starts the moment you turn off Oroua Road into Country Road High Tea. The walk from the car park to the front door alone hints at the escape to elegance ahead.

As you step through the doors of what was once the old Manawatū Christmas barn, luxury envelopes you. Gold cutlery glints on tables, forest-and-fauna wallpaper draws your gaze skyward and golden archways above a row of tables lead you into a world where fine dining and rural charm dance together effortlessly.

Country Road High Tea is a family dream brought to life by Tanya Watson (former Watson Real Estate CEO) and her daughters Nicole Mills, Steph Gadsby, and daughter-inlaw and head chef Kelsey Upson.

It was Tanya’s vision, pitched to the girls a few years ago, that planted the first seed. Together, the family has poured their unique talents — in hospitality, business, marketing and project management — into creating not just any fine-dining experience, but a unique destination and the first of its kind in Manawatū.

“We wanted a place where people could lose themselves,” Tanya says. “Being out here in the country – that’s part of the magic.”

And magic it is. From the luxurious folded hand towels and gold taps in the bathrooms to the handmade dishes crafted fresh every day, no detail has been left to chance.

The heart of the experience is, of course, the high tea itself; a leisurely, delicious ritual rooted in a centuriesold British tradition. The best part? There’s no need to raise your pinky finger unless you want to.

You can choose from almost 20 types of tea, from classic blacks and oolongs to fruit and herbal blends. You can also add a touch of sparkle with a glass of champagne.

A three-tiered stand arrives, laden with an ever-changing assortment of savoury and sweet delights. Picture a herb-infused egg sandwich with glazed ham and vibrant microgreens, or Moroccan-spiced lamb layered with velvety pumpkin puree and a zingy harissa-lemon mayo. Choux bites of tarragon chicken dance on your tongue, while handmade tarts of roasted cherry tomatoes and goat's feta melt in your mouth.

Then come the scones – so golden and tender – and a symphony of sweet treats, including macarons, lemon pistachio friands, decadent chocolate brownies topped with silky ganache and candied orange, and a raspberry caramel delight that’s as good as it sounds.
Bookings are essential, and rightly so. Country Road High Tea isn’t just a meal, it’s an escape. It’s not just high tea. It’s high tea, elevated.