CHRISTMAS provides the perfect excuse to over-indulge. With their little cakes and finger sandwiches, afternoon teas are always a nice treat. Put the two together and that’s a match made in heaven - Festive afternoon teas. Estel Farell-Roig discovered some of the places in Gwent offering them:

1) Celtic Manor (Coldra Woods, the Usk Valley, Newport)

The resort is offering festive afternoon teas until January 1, 2017. They’re served at the Olive Tree Garden Room, or at the Manor House on Sunday.

The sweet treats include mince pies, white chocolate Christmas pudding truffles and freshly baked cranberry, vanilla and chestnut scones.

They’re also served with assorted pastries and cakes, a seasonal selection of sandwiches and a warming glass of sweet mulled wine.

Besides, it is served with freshly brewed coffee or your choice of speciality Jing tea.

£26 Monday to Friday

£36 Saturday and Sunday

£36 December 21 - 23

£38 December 24 - 26

To book, ring 01633 410458 or visit celtic-manor.com

2) Parc Pantry (Bellevue Conservatory & Tearooms, off Friars Road, Bellevue Park, Newport)

The tearooms are offering a festive afternoon tea in beautiful surroundings.

Parc Pantry’s Christmas Afternoon Tea includes mini mince pies, fruit scones with clotted cream preserve and a wedge of traditional Christmas cake, served with double pouring cream and cinnamon.

It is also served with a hot rustic baguette with a filling, including goats cheese fig chutney and rocket or turkey, stuffing and cranberry.

The baguette is decorated with a pig in blanket.

You have the option to choose from any of their hot or cold drinks to accompany your meal.

To finish, it includes unlimited tea and Americano Coffee.

£14 per person

Booking is required. To book, email bookings@parcpantry.co.uk

3) Angel (15 Cross Street, Abergavenny)

The Angel will be serving Festive High Tea only in December, excluding December 24 to 27 and 31.

It’s served with a selection of sandwiches and of savoury items, such as ham and onion quiche and turkey with cranberry and stuffing sandwich.

The sweet treats include a selection of cakes and always includes Christmas cake, mince pies and/or Stollen, which are all home made

It can also include the Angel custard slices, profiteroles, raspberry towers and white chocolate cheesecake bites, amongst others.

Warm scones with jam and cream are also served.

There is also typically a small sherry trifle per person and unlimited tea or coffee.

They have seasonal teas and encourage guests to try something new.

Please note that items on the tea change daily, so the ones listed above may not always be served, every day.

The Festive High Tea costs £27.80

To book, ring 01873 857121or visit angelabergavenny.com

4) St. Pierre Marriott Hotel & Country Club (St Pierre Park, Chepstow)

The hotel and country club will be offering festive afternoon teas between 1-5pm throughout December.

It includes traditional finger sandwiches, Christmas cake and mine pies, homemade scones with fruit preserve and fresh cream, homemade cakes and a bottomless pot of tea or coffee.

£19.95 per person

£6 supplement per person to add a glass of warm mulled wine

£7.50 supplement per person to add a glass of chilled Champagne

On Friday, December 23, they’ll have a festive afternoon tea with storytelling, which will include Christmas tales in front of the fire and a visit from Father Christmas in addition to the above.

£19.95 for adults

£12.95 for children under 12

For more information, or to make a booking, call 01291 625261 or email chris.wiltshire@marriotthotels.com.

5) Glen-Yr-Afon (Pontypool Road, Usk, Monmouthshire)

On Sunday, December 11, the Glen-Yr-Afon will host a festive afternoon tea.

This event proved to be a success last year and there are only a limited amount of places still available.

Bookings will be available between 3pm and 5pm.

Their festive afternoon tea will include a selection of savoury filled sandwiches, a mini turkey and cranberry pie, crab and lobster bruschetta, smoked salmon pinwheels, three cheese and red onion tart and a coronation chicken brioche.

It will also include a mini lemon meringue pie, a Florentine, caramelised Baileys cones, double chocolate pops and Christmas cupcakes.

You also get a coffee and chocolate mousse slice, a plum, apple and ginger slice, a mini chocolate cup filled with vanilla creme brulee, a mini Victoria sponge, a mini carrot and passionfruit muffin and lemon drizzle cake

It also includes freshly brewed tea and coffee.

£23 per person

To book, ring 01291 672302 / 673202

6) Llantarnam Grange Arts Centre (St David's Road, Cwmbran, NP44 1PD)

Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 4pm

The arts centre Christmas afternoon tea includes a freshly baked cranberry and orange scones with Oriel Café jam and an indulgent amount of cream and Oriel Café Christmas cake slices.

It also includes mince pies encased in their crispy orange shortcrust pastry and filled with their own mincemeat infused with cinnamon, nutmeg and mixed spices

A selection of seasonal triple layer bite size sandwiches are also included and there's also an optional speciality spiced berry punch which is non-alcoholic.

Their Christmas afternoon tea is beautifully presented in a festive atmosphere with vintage seasonal table décor.

To book or find out more, ring 01633 483321.

7) Maes Manor Hotel (Maesrudded Lane, Blackwood, Caerphilly)

The hotel’s festive afternoon tea includes a glass of mulled wine and a selection of finger sandwiches, including egg mayonnaise and turkey and cranberry.

The sweet treats served will include a fancy tea cake selection, including mince pies, and freshly baked scones with clotted cream and a selection of jams.

It includes a selection of teas or filter coffee.

£14.96 per person or 2 for £27.95.

To book, ring 01495 220011 or visit maesmanor.com