It’s a quintessentially British treat, but too often afternoon teas feel faddy, overpriced and underwhelming. So raise a cup of Darjeeling to these simpler affairs, where the sarnies are top quality, the teapots generous and the settings warm and welcoming. Each is under £30 a head, some with bubbly included.
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1. The Assembly House, Norwich
High ceilings, chandeliers and intricate cornices give a real Bridgerton vibe to this preserved Georgian ballroom, which is home to Norwich’s most elegant afternoon tea. As well as a classic afternoon tea with scones and stout sausage rolls, there’s an ever-changing menu of themed feasts; running until May, the Chocolate Factory tea includes treats such as purple cupcakes topped with a whole golden hazelnut in a nod to the Quality Street favourite (£29.50, or £36 with prosecco). Stay over in one of the Assembly House’s 15 bedrooms — most have four-posters or fun, maximalist fabrics, while five have “secret garden” terraces. While in Norwich, visit the vast, peaceful cloisters of the city cathedral, browse the half-timbered craft and bookshops around Elm Hill and stroll the serene Victorian Plantation Garden.
Details B&B doubles from £170 (assemblyhousenorwich.co.uk)
2. Whittington’s Tea Barge, Hills Meadows, Reading
Scoff scones and sarnies as swans glide past this tearoom on a barge created by a pair of locals — one of whom is a descendent of Dick Whittington, who the barge is named after. A classic cream tea served on mismatched chinaware starts at just £8, while the Vintage Afternoon Tea includes scones, a choice of sandwich and a slice of homemade cake (£20.50, or £28 with prosecco; whittingtons-teabarge.co.uk). Stick around in Reading to visit the Thames Lido where you can swim, sauna and soak in a hot tub inside a restored Edwardian bathhouse. Nearby, Hotel 1843 has a convivial bar and restaurant in a grade II listed building.
Details Room-only doubles from £85 (1843reading.com)
3. Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, Lostwithiel, Cornwall
Handcrafted Scotch eggs with piccalilli, rose and raspberry macarons, Tregothnan teas blended with English tea leaves: the produce and panache here go beyond the usual fare (£30 or £36 with prosecco; duchyofcornwallnursery.co.uk). That’s probably down to the royal pedigree — this is served in the orangery of the Duchy of Cornwall Nursery, on the Prince of Wales’s organic-obsessed Cornish estate. Your teatime feast is a 25-minute drive from estuary-side Fowey where you can stay at its Harbour Hotel, with bright Wedgwood-blue rooms. Make a weekend of it with strolls to the 16th-century St Catherine’s Castle, pints in wonky pubs and an adventure to the sheltered Readymoney Cove.
Details B&B doubles from £160 (harbourhotels.co.uk)
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4. Shed One Afternoon G&Tea, Ulverston, Cumbria
Each afternoon tea at this calf shed repurposed as a microdistillery starts with a tour of the copper gin stills. After a welcome G&T, guests can fill up on food inspired by distillery botanicals: scones brushed with juniper glaze; chocolate, orange and chilli brownies with cardamom icing; and sandwiches stuffed with gin-cured salmon. Guests are also equipped with a dainty gin pipette for seasoning your treats — try it on the cucumber sandwiches (£29, Saturdays only; shed1distillery.com). Explore the Lake District’s charms, from the lakeside oasis Fell Foot Park to the Lakeland Motor Museum, staying nearby at the Swan Hotel & Spa, which has a tempting Finnish sauna and outdoor whirlpool.
Details B&B doubles from £102 (swanhotel.com)
5. Mackintosh at the Willow, Glasgow
These historic tearooms were designed in 1903 by the artist and architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh. Interiors are just as impressive — think jewel-box glass panels and distinctive latticework chairs — while the cake selection includes retro bites such as snowballs and empire biscuits. There are also plenty of vegan, veggie and gluten-free alternatives available (£29.95; mackintoshatthewillow.com). There’s a gift shop and exhibition for those who want to know more about Mackintosh or pick up souvenirs, the Kelvingrove Gallery and a street art tour are also must-dos for art fans. Continue your arty weekend with a stay in colourful, comfy rooms with stained glass windows and sketches on the walls at the Abode hotel.
Details Room-only doubles from £74 (abodeglasgow.co.uk)
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6. The Old School Tea Room, Hebden, North Yorkshire
This storybook schoolhouse in the Yorkshire Dales is renowned locally for its freshly baked, homemade coffee cake, quiche and sarnies made by a family-led team and served on vintage china stands (£19.50 or £24 with prosecco; theoldschooltearoom.com). Admire the schoolhouse’s arched windows and original clock tower before taking to the idyllic garden in summer, where the resident chickens peck around the picnic benches. The team can arrange takeaway picnic teas with advance notice that you can take on wanders around the Dales — the Malham to Gordale Scar circular is particularly picturesque — and you can also visit Bolton Abbey and Skipton Castle Woods nearby. Stay at one of the area’s relaxed pubs with rooms: the foodie-favourite Clarendon Inn is closest to the tearoom.
Details B&B doubles from £110 (clarendoninn.co.uk)
7. Ruthin Castle, Vale of Clwyd, Denbighshire
Situated close to north Wales’s Clwydian Range, the turreted, ivy-clad Ruthin Castle is an atmospheric setting to devour the classic, tiered tray of scones, finger sandwiches and cakes that can be enjoyed in the wood-beamed Medieval Tavern; go in summer to sit out on the pristine lawn with views of the mossy battlements (£19.50 or £22.50 with prosecco). Curl up later in one of the castle’s simple, affordable rooms; this part of Wales has glorious walks and quaint villages to enjoy. Potter around medieval Ruthin, hike up to Moel Famau (at 554m, this “Mother Mountain” is the highest point in the range) and go for wanders in Clwyd Forest.
Details Room-only doubles from £76 (ruthincastle.co.uk)
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Have we missed any of your favourite affordable afternoon teas? Let us know in the comments below
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