Crawley, West Sussex
Looking for a lavish afternoon tea to remember in South East England? Whether your celebrating a birthday, anniversary or just getting together with friends, an afternoon tea is an experience to be remembered and enjoyed.
It is believed that the afternoon tea started back in the 1840's by Anna Maria, the seventh Duchess of Bedford. She would become hungry around 4pm as it was a long time between lunch at noon and dinner at eight. So a tray of tea, bread and butter was served. As time went by, friends where invited and the tea grew into a more lavish affair closer to what we enjoy today.
From hotels, restaurants, cafes and bistros to pubs, museums and stately homes, there really is more to be discovered where afternoon tea is involved. From mouth watering scones, delectable cakes and sweets to accompany a pot of English tea along with the traditional finger sandwiches, often produced by award-winning chefs, afternoon tea is a traditionally English delight to savour.
Step aboard history with Cutty Sark at Royal Museums Greenwich – the world’s last surviving tea clipper, built in 1869 to deliver the freshest teas to London. Today, you can immerse yourself in its remarkable story whilst enjoying a one-of-a-kind afternoon tea. Forget the usual hotels and sightseeing stops — at Cutty Sark, you’ll sip and savour beneath the iconic ship itself.
Step aboard the Bluebell Railway for a classic afternoon tea to remember. Tuck into dainty finger sandwiches, indulgent cakes, and warm scones with jam and clotted cream, all served against the stunning backdrop of the Sussex countryside. Your Wealden Rambler return journey from Sheffield Park to East Grinstead lasts around 1 hour and 45 minutes – the perfect setting for afternoon tea.
Discover Oxford’s literary treasures with a guided 60-minute tour of the Old Bodleian Library, then unwind with a traditional afternoon tea at the Bodleian Café. Savour a tempting selection of savoury bites – from smoked salmon with cream cheese to Wiltshire ham with mustard – paired with indulgent sweet treats including delicious matcha tea and strawberry Battenberg. A vegan menu is also available. Add a glass of prosecco for an extra sparkle.
The Rare Breeds Centre offers afternoon teas in their Granary Restaurant from Tuesdays to Fridays during term time. Expect to see plenty of familiar farmyard faces – pigs, goats, horses, turkeys, chickens, sheep and geese before enjoying a selection of sandwiches, scones, cakes, pastries, and chocolate-dipped strawberries, along with unlimited tea or coffee. The afternoon teas are prepared and served by talented Life Skills students from the Canterbury Oast Trust.
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Enjoy a delectable range of sandwiches prepared with bread from The Roseate Reading's own bakery. With fresh scones served with traditional clotted cream and homemade jams or a selection of sweet treats and savouries served with the finest blends of first-flush teas from around the world - you'd be spoilt for choice. Plus each luxury afternoon tea is topped off with a glass of Moet & Chandon Champagne at The Reading Room Restaurant and Lounge in Berkshire.
Afternoon Tea at Alexander House, in Crawley, West Sussex, is available daily from noon to 4:30pm and is served in the drawing room. Homemade from start to finish by the in-house bytheir pastry chefs where you can choose from a selection of Champagnes as well as teas from Brighton-based company, Hoogly.
Gravetye Manor offers Afternoon Tea for groups throughout the year, priced at £65 per person. Guests are welcomed with a glass of Nyetimber English Sparkling Wine before enjoying a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, scones, cakes and pastries crafted by the Manor’s skilled pastry chefs. From May to September, groups of 6 to 12 can experience Afternoon Tea in the Oak Gazebo, set within the Little Garden and overlooking the meadows and lake, around a beautifully handcrafted oak table.Afternoon tea is not available for groups of less than 6.
There are some stunning venues offering some of the best afternoon tea in South East England from refreshingly good tea rooms to the indulgence of top quality hotels and even themed events to enjoy.
So why not treat yourself, a friend, a loved one, or a family member to a sumptuous afternoon tea in South East England. So whether you're looking for afternoon tea in Hampshire, Sussex, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Surrey, Dorset, Kent or the Isle of Wight, select 'map view' on the list below for our top recommendations.
Number of results: 38
, currently showing 1 to 20.
Café
Hassocks
The Barn Coffee Shop and Restaurant at South Downs Heritage Centre
Hotel
Courtyard by Marriott® Oxford South, is a short distance to iconic Oxford, a warm welcome awaits to explore our historic region. Enjoy our proximity to Abingdon, Didcot, Milton Park, Harwell Campus, Culham Park, RAF Brize Norton and Bicester Village
Tea Room/Coffee Shop
Woodstock
We have a range of delicious cafés and restaurants available for you to enjoy with your family and friends. Whether you’re after some warming comfort food or a sophisticated afternoon tea, we have something for everyone. Much of our produce is…
Food
Uckfield
Enjoy a traditional afternoon tea whilst you enjoy a nostalgic journey by steam through the beautiful Sussex countryside.
Food
Milton Keynes
Experience a delicious afternoon tea, where every bite celebrates the season's bounty amidst the relaxing ambience of Horwood House, Buckinghamshire.
Restaurant
Brockenhurst
Whether it's a special occasion or you're simply looking for an excuse to get everyone together, The Terrace Restaurant in Beaulieu is the perfect place to celebrate life's great occasions.
Garden
Chichester
Creatively inspired by its rich heritage and South Downs setting, West Dean Gardens is brimming with features to enjoy. The gardens include a Walled Kitchen Garden and 13 working Victorian glasshouses, extensive and richly planted grounds including…
Hotel
Beaulieu
A charming 17th Century hotel (former coaching inn) in the picturesque village of Beaulieu offering effortlessly intuitive service with inviting comfort and a stunning Michelin Star restaurant.
Vineyard
Bolney, Haywards Heath
Find out why Sussex sparkling wine has been beating champagne in blind taste tests. Bolney Wine Estate carries a tradition brought to Britain nearly 2,000 years ago.
Country House Hotel
East Grinstead
Peter Herbert arrived at Gravetye in 1958. Captivated by Robinson's house and it's setting he had the revolutionary idea of injecting his own exceptional hotel keeping and restaurant standards in to this rural spot.
Steam Railway
Uckfield
The Bluebell Railway is a preserved country branch line, lovingly restored and maintained by a team of dedicated volunteers. The railway runs nostalgic steam trains through nine miles of Sussex countryside.
Tea Room/Coffee Shop
Arundel
Visit Amberley Museum & Heritage Centre and immerse yourself in the nostalgia of the South East’s industrial heritage.
Bar
Reading
Opened in 2020, The Reading Room at the Roseate Hotel Reading offers delicious modern cuisine revolving around the freshest, seasonal ingredients and best of British produce from Executive Chef Rajesh Maharjan.
Café
Guildford
The Menu in Seasons has something for everyone with hot and cold food available. Whether you want to sit and have a leisurely lunch with friends and family or just grab and go.
Historic Site
Oxford
See one of the oldest libraries at the heart of Oxford's historic University. Discover the Divinity School, a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture, or choose one of the guided tours, including a visit to Duke Humfrey's library.
Hotel
Wickham, Fareham
4 Individually designed luxury B&B or Hotel bedrooms and suites
LUXURY ROOMS AND SUITES
All of our Luxury Rooms and Suites are a personal haven with interiors that reflect the character of The Old House Hotel, many with stunning views over the…
Hotel
Henfield
Set in the South Downs National Park, just 10 minutes from the A23 at Pyecombe and the A27 at Shoreham and located midway between Brighton, Crawley, Worthing & Horsham, situated in a tranquil setting with farmland and hillsides, this venue is know…
Restaurant
Arundel
Amberley Castle has a long-held reputation for delivering outstanding cuisine.
Our dining, enjoyed on the first floor of the castle in either the magnificent Queen's Room, with its barrel-vaulted ceiling dating back to the 12th century and open fire…
Tea Room/Coffee Shop
Romsey
The world famous Gardens near Romsey. The Victorian manor house Tea Rooms is nestled in an idyllic setting within the 180 acre Gardens
Museum
Greenwich, London
The world’s largest maritime museum, filled with inspirational stories of exploration and adventure at sea. Critically acclaimed temporary exhibitions (ticketed). General admission free.
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