Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British affair and Gloucestershire is overflowing with splendid venues offering some of the tastiest treats in the UK.
If you’re looking for some inspiration, SoGlos has rounded up 20 places to enjoy afternoon tea across the county and the Cotswolds.
The Greenway Hotel and Spa near Cheltenham
Served every day from 2.30pm, afternoon tea at the award-winning Greenway Hotel and Spa in Shurdington is an indulgent affair involving delicate, freshly baked scones, expertly cut finger sandwiches and artistically crafted patisserie cakes, with all dietary requirements catered for, too.
Tea can be taken anywhere in the atmospheric 16th century manor house hotel, from the peaceful terrace overlooking its eight acres of grounds to its opulent Garden Room restaurant or relaxed Spa Café — book online or call the restaurant team for any special requests.
The Kings Head Hotel in Cirencester
Afternoon tea at The Kings Head Hotel in Cirencester promises plain and fruit scones, finger sandwiches, bite-sized cakes and sweet treats in historic surroundings.
The choice of cakes changes daily, with the hotel priding itself on its use of local, seasonal produce. There's also the option to add a glass of prosecco or Champagne to the experience — just make sure to book in advance.
Hatherley Manor in Gloucester
Country house hotel, Hatherley Manor, offers a relaxed setting for afternoon tea. Enjoy a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade cakes and fruit scones smothered in jam and cream, along with freshly brewed tea or coffee.
During the summer months, the gardens are a beautiful spot to relax and indulge, while in the winter, guests can cosy up with an afternoon tea in front of the wood-burner. And, if you’re looking for a gift for someone with a sweet-tooth, vouchers for afternoon tea at Hatherley Manor are ideal.
The Fairview Gardener near Gloucester
A visit to The Fairview Gardener near Gloucester isn’t just about planting, as the garden centre and nursery also has a charming tea room where you can indulge in a spot of afternoon tea.
Served daily, the afternoon tea for two invites diners to enjoy a delicious selection of sandwiches and salad, along with homemade cakes, mini scones and proper loose-leaf tea or coffee. Bookings must be made in advance.
KIBOU in Cheltenham
Not your average afternoon tea, Cheltenham's distinctive sushi restaurant KIBOU offers guests a Japanese twist on high tea, featuring delightful tasters of some of the restaurant's most popular dishes such as sushi, sashimi and traditional sweets.
Guests can pick from a choice of Japanese teas and infusions to accompany their afternoon tea, or go large with a glass of Taittinger Brut Réserve Champagne, a cocktail or Junmai Tokubestu sake. Please note, afternoon tea at KIBOU must be booked in advance and is available from 2.30pm to 4.30pm Sunday to Friday.
Once Upon A Tea Room in Cheltenham
All lovingly crafted in a five-star commercial kitchen with ingredients sourced locally where possible, Once Upon A Tea Room in Cheltenham offers diners a dreamy selection of goodies with its afternoon tea — from signature Victoria sponges to traditional cucumber sandwiches.
The business provides exclusive special and themed afternoon teas; menus which are suitable for dairy-free, vegan, gluten-free, nut free and vegetarian diets; and the chance to create your own sweet treats at its Crafternoon Tea experiences. Guests can also get adorably-themed afternoon tea cones to take away from its Enchanted Window, with previous themes including Halloween, Christmas and even Wimbledon.
Stonehouse Court Hotel near Stroud
With views overlooking Stroudwater Canal, Stonehouse Court Hotel near Stroud offers a charming setting for afternoon tea. Guests can take tea on the terrace during the summer or get cosy in the stylish surrounds of its Bar 1601 cocktail lounge.
Choose from afternoon tea, bubbly afternoon tea or G and tea, for the ultimate indulgence. If you’re planning a birthday party, hen do or baby shower, the venue has private dining rooms that are ideal for afternoon tea celebrations, too.
Tewkesbury Park
Promising an indulgent afternoon filled with an array of sweet and savoury treats, Tewkesbury Park's Decadent Afternoon Tea boasts a selection of sandwiches; scones with lashings of locally-made jam and Cotteswold Dairy clotted cream; plus a selection of homemade sweet treats including shortbread, tarts and cakes to finish. If you're celebrating, guests can add on a glass of English sparkling rosé for an extra special experience.
With everything prepared freshly in its own kitchen, Tewkesbury Park's delicious afternoon tea menu changes with the seasons — with its Winter Afternoon Tea making for magical get-togethers in the run-up to Christmas.
Lavender Bakehouse in Stroud
Expect tables laid out with china tea sets and food served on vintage cake stands when enjoying afternoon tea at Lavender Bakehouse in Chalford.
Sample delicate sandwiches, sweet and savoury scones and a mini selection of cakes, with the option to have a glass of prosecco, too. Be sure to book in advance for afternoon tea.
Ellenborough Park in Cheltenham
Promising 'the finest afternoon tea in Cheltenham', five-star hotel Ellenborough Park serves this traditional treat in the spectacular setting of the Great Hall, or alfresco during the summer.
Expect sandwiches filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, cucumber and creme fraiche, and free-range egg and cress; Italian focaccia; pork and sesame sausage rolls; caramelised red onion and goat's cheese quiche; along with freshly baked cakes, miniature desserts, scones with Devonshire cream and pastries.
The Painswick
With a roaring fire and beautiful gardens, The Painswick hotel is a delightful choice for afternoon teas, whatever the weather.
Choose from 'The George' served with Scotch egg, pork pie, sandwiches, scones and a cake of the day; 'The Cheeky' cream tea with two freshly baked scones, jam and cream; plus vegetarian and vegan afternoon teas — with the option to add prosecco, Champagne or even a cocktail.
Malmaison in Cheltenham
Cheltenham’s Malmaison offers a classic afternoon tea reimagined, with diners able to savour treats such as beef sliders, Thai sticky beef and sesame wraps, prawn cocktail, scones, dark chocolate and salted caramel tart, and a raspberry ripple and white chocolate sundae.
There’s also the opportunity to indulge with Chez Mal’s Cocktail Afternoon Tea, which is perfect for special celebrations.
The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie in Cheltenham
Retreat to the art deco interior of The Ivy in Cheltenham's Montpellier to treat yourself to a delicious afternoon tea in a spectacular setting.
Diners can expect savoury delights such as grilled chicken and truffle mayonnaise brioche roll and smoked salmon finger sandwiches, while the sweet treats span honey macarons; red velvet raspberry cake; chocolate and honeycomb pots; and mango and coconut smoothies — not to mention scones with clotted cream, fresh strawberries and preserves.
The Lygon Arms in Broadway
The Lygon Arms in Broadway is the perfect place to savour a quintessential afternoon tea experience in the Cotswolds.
Diners can look forward to finger sandwiches and dainty pastries, with the option to add a glass of Champagne to the experience. The hotel also offers vegan and gluten-free options with at least 24 hours' notice — plus children’s afternoon teas, including special themed ones during the school holidays.
Tudor Farmhouse in Coleford
Tudor Farmhouse in the Forest of Dean offers diners the choice of classic or savoury afternoon tea, along with an afternoon grazing menu, which features a choice of sandwiches, soups, sharing boards and desserts. There's even a children's size for smaller appeities.
The restaurant prides itself on serving home-cooked seasonal food, made from local ingredients like Cinderhill Farm wild boar sausage rolls, Trealy Farm charcuterie and Severn and Wye smoked salmon.
Lords of the Manor in Upper Slaughter
Lords of the Manor Hotel offers a luxurious backdrop for enjoying afternoon tea in the Cotswolds, with full afternoon tea and cream tea available either on the lawn during summer or next to a crackling log fire during the cooler months.
Book in advance and make sure you leave time to explore the award-winning gardens, which are set over eight acres.
Cowley Manor in Cheltenham
Nestled in a picture-perfect setting just outside of Cheltenham, Cowley Manor is a delightful choice for afternoon tea.
In addition to delicate sandwiches and plain and fruit scones with clotted cream, diners can look forward to an array of cakes and even add a glass of Champagne for the ultimate indulgence. It offers a savoury afternoon tea, too, with cheeses and charcuterie in place of sweet treats. Afternoon tea is served daily between 2.30pm and 4pm in the restaurant — or available to take away to the lawn when the weather is good.
Huffkins in Cheltenham and the Cotswolds
With tea rooms in Stow-on-the-Wold, Burford, Cheltenham Promenade and Cheltenham John Lewis & Partners, there are plenty of opportunities to sample the afternoon tea offering from Huffkins.
Along with serving classic teatime delights, there’s also the option of upgrading to its Celebration Afternoon Tea which includes a 200ml bottle of prosecco.
Whatley Manor in Malmesbury
Afternoon tea at the Michelin-starred Whatley Manor, just over the border in Malmesbury, is a decadent affair. Tuck into sausage rolls, Wiltshire ham, Chapel and Swan smoked salmon, buttermilk scones and sweet treats such as caramel cinnamon doughnuts and coffee eclairs, finished off with a glass of fizz. There's even dedicated vegan and gluten-free menus, too.
Tea is served in the Garden Room, Drawing Room, or one of the terraces on Monday to Saturday from 12.30pm to 4pm and Sunday from 2pm to 4pm.
Miserden Estate near Stroud
Available during the summer months, guests are invited to step into nature and enjoy 'the ultimate Cotswold indulgence' at Miserden with its unique afternoon teas. Featuring a wonderful selection of cakes and traditional teatime fare, as well as freshly brewed tea and coffee — or even a glass of prosecco.
Choose either the quintessentially English afternoon tea in the serene setting of the Walled Garden at Miserden, surrounded by a wide range of flowers and herbaceous plants which provide colour from spring to autumn, or dine under the canopy of trees with a fern covered carpet at the Woodland Afternoon Tea experience.
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