I love afternoon tea so much and summer seems the perfect time to enjoy an afternoon of tea and treats more than ever. I have written before about the traditions of afternoon tea and on tea pop-ups too but I have never shared my favourite tea rooms.
Porridge Lady at Terre a Terre
I have taken tea in the wonderfully grand Ritz through to been given a tea picnic at a festival to DIY! All memorable but below are some of my favourite tea rooms But! it doesn’t stop with my list as I would like to know your favourite places too!
Once you have had a read of my list I would love you to leave a comment at the bottom of the page sharing your favourite place to take afternoon tea. Everyone who leaves a comment before the 31st of July will be entered into a draw to WIN the wonderful book; Tea Time: A Taste of London’s Best Afternoon Teas.(the book is worth £25)
My favourite tea rooms…
Best for tea
- Orange Pekoe – Barnes, London
Tea made with precision timed perfection by the skilled staff. This is a must visit for tea obsessives!
- Ginger & Pickles – Nantwich, Cheshire
Well deserved winners of the Tea Guild’s Award of Excellence 2012. This tea room serves up some of the finest teas in the finest Burleigh pottery.
Best for the cakes/scones
- Malpedurham House – Mapledurham, Berkshire
Milling your own flour to make your own scones to serve is pretty impressive in my book. Delicious too!
- The Owl Tea rooms – Holt, North Norfolk
Homemade cakes aplenty served in a lovely tearoom. Definitely try one of the wholemeal scones or generously large jam tarts.
Best For the charm
- Betty’s – Various but I visited the York tea rooms
Full of traditional charm and just enough grandeur to make it feel like a ‘proper’ afternoon tea.
- Tea Pod – Shand Thames, London
Funky! Where else has a huge tea clock on the wall so you can time your tea to taste.
Best for the budget
- Victoria and Albert Museum, Cromwell Road, London
Not just for visiting after viewing an exhibition, with the wonderful Morris, Gamble and Poynter Rooms the V&A is a tea destination. The cafe is reasonably priced for tea but also regularly has an afternoon tea special offer.
- Idler Academy – 81 Westbourne Park Road, London
‘Liberty through eduction’ is the Academy’s motto! You can buy a book from their vast stock and educate yourself whilst you Idle over a lovely, and and keenly priced afternoon tea.
Best for something different
- Terre a Terre -71 East Street, Brighton
I had been swimming in the sea at Brighton and had worked up an afternoon tea hunger when I stumbled across Terre a Terre. The platter of patisserie delights that I was served was a feast for the eyes as much as the hungry swimming tummy.
- One Aldwych – London WC2
What can I say, afternoon tea came with Asparagus and a dippy egg. Now I can’t say I’ve ever been served that with an afternoon tea before. Genius!
A recipe for a different afternoon tea at One Aldwych
So love afternoon Tea, best I’ve found is the Chesterfield Hotel in Mayfair. Well worth checking out
Thanks for the tip Matt! I’m intrigued by the chocolate afternoon tea!
Tea, how lovely…
My favourites are:
The Dancing Goat, Framlingham
Pump Street Bakery, Orford
The Tea Hut, Woodbridge
The Whistle Stop Cafe near Benn Eighh
I like the sound of the Tea Hut in Woodbridge
I have been 3 times to the chocolate afternoon tea at chancery court hotel in holborn. Great patisseries and you choose from buffet, a much as you like. Tea, sandwiches and scones served to table.
That sounds fantastic Kavey! Right that’s def on my list
I love an afternoon tea so this is a really helpful list – thank you!
It’s not a secret but Groupon or other such daily-deal websites are a great way of experimenting with different afternoon tea establishments. I am sampling one this coming Sunday. Not only was a great bargain but it is also taking me to an as-yet unexplored part of my county (Hertfordshire), bringing the family together for a civilised “meal” and *hopefully* filling me full of tasty treats. It may even inspire some home baking…which I am a big fan of!
Everyone loves a bargin! So thanks for the tip Lindsay.
Favorite tea rooms in Cardiff:
For a wonderful traditional experience, like stepping back to the 40′s (and lovely cakes too) – Pettigrew tearooms http://www.pettigrew-tearooms.com/
For a modern twist on the tearoom with a mind boggling array of teas to choose from and very unusual cakes – Waterloo gardens teahouse http://www.waterlootea.com/
If you’re ever in Cardiff you must visit these two gems
Thanks for the suggestions Amy. I’ve had a look at the tea menu for Pettigrew Tearooms and it is really extensive! Adding to my list now!
Alpine Coffee Shop in Betws-y-Coed. Despite the name, it’s the teas that make this place worth a visit.
Thanks John!
Love, love, love partaking in afternoon tea, which I have been doing alot lately.
The Dorchester, London for the glamorous and grand surroundings and afternoon tea individually served, best of the London top hotel I have tried
Hotel La Tour, Birmingham for excellent value for money and brilliant twist inc welsh rarebit, inside out sandwiches and mini pastries
Thank you for your suggestions Lisa. The ‘inside out’ sandwiches sound fun!
Best place ever – The Willow Tea Rooms in Glasgow designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh…gorgeous, iconic, elegant…just perfect!
Wow that sounds amazing Kirsten!
The Tea Cosy, Kemptown, Brighton
It’s not big or posh but it is full of wonderful memorabilia, and you are greeted warmly alongside service second to none, a mouthwatering selection of treats and tea in pots covered in knitted tea cosies!
An experience not to be missed.
Hello Lisa yes I know of the ‘Tea Cosy’ and tried to book in last time I visited Brighton but sadly they were fully booked
The cafe up the stairs in the Scarthin Bookshop, Cromford, Derbyshire.