Kate Atkin
12 August 2019
If you’re planning on visiting the Cotswolds, whether for a short break, a romantic getaway or a family holiday, indulging in a classic afternoon tea could well be one of the highlights of your trip. As one of the regions finest and longest-standing traditions, there are a wealth of tea rooms in the Cotswolds where you can enjoy a warm pot of Earl Grey, perhaps a bubbling glass of champagne, with a wonderful combination of sweet and savoury refreshments. It’s the perfect way to spend time with friends and family.
Here at Holidays in the Cotswolds, we have sampled many a ‘high tea’ in our time and wanted to share our local knowledge with you. From decadent delights in boutique surroundings to hearty finger food in casual cafes, afternoon tea in the Cotswolds is a big business. With Afternoon Tea Week just around the corner, here are five of the best afternoon tea spots in the Cotswolds.
Blenheim Palace, Woodstock
If you’re in the mood to treat yourself, Blenheim Palace in Woodstock is the grandest venue you could choose for tea and cake in Oxfordshire. Home to the 12th Duke of Marlborough, this 11,500-acre estate was the birthplace of Sir Winston Churchill and is as quintessentially British as it gets. After exploring the palace, park and spectacular gardens, the beautiful Orangery offers an idyllic backdrop for an afternoon spent sipping champagne and nibbling macaroons. From delicate finger sandwiches to melt in the mouth buttermilk scones served with a mountain of clotted cream and strawberry preserve, plus a cornucopia of cakes, these afternoon teas are all about indulgence.
Afternoon tea at Blenheim Palace starts at £26 per person.
Stay nearby at: Laughtons Retreat (sleeps 4), Harvest Barn (sleeps 12) or choose from all of our Oxfordshire cottages.
Huffkins, Burford
The Huffkins Bakery and Tearoom has been around since 1890, boasting some of the tastiest Cotswold cakes you will ever try, all made by hand. A local favourite and one of the best tea rooms around, they have tearooms dotted around the Cotswolds and their afternoon tea in Burford is exceptional. Exquisitely presented on a classic three-tier stand, Huffkins’ afternoon tea includes rounds of sandwiches, award-winning scones served with lashings of clotted cream and preserves, a selection of pastries and a pot of loose leaf tea. Diners can also indulge in a chilled glass of prosecco while taking in the warm and cosy surroundings. There’s also a Huffkins tearoom in Cheltenham, Stow-on-the-Wold, Stratford-upon-Avon and Witney!
Classic afternoon tea for two at Huffkins starts at £16 per person.
Stay nearby at: Widford Mill Cottage (sleeps 6), Carpenters Barn (sleeps 2) or choose from all of our Burford cottages.
Dormy House, Broadway
Photo Credit: dormyhouse
If you fancy combining an elegant English spread with a relaxing afternoon in a luxury spa, the Dormy House in Broadway should be at the top of your Cotswolds itinerary. Sample an enticing platter of freshly made sandwiches, quiches, scones slathered in cream and jam, and a fine array of fancies, alongside a pot of English breakfast tea or even a spectacular Flowering Osmanthus. Those with hearty appetites can order an additional plate of sausage rolls or cheese scones with smoked salmon and caviar, while diners wanting to add a touch of sparkle can treat themselves to a glass of Veuve Clicquot. For a great summer al fresco alternative, enjoy a gourmet picnic on the estate with a pre-ordered Dormy Hamper. Bliss!
Stay nearby at: Broadway Cottage (sleeps 2), Broadway House (sleeps 2), The Bell Yard (sleeps 4) or choose from all of our Broadway cottages.
Whatley Manor, Malmesbury
Magnificently serving up a tower of dainty sandwiches, fluffy scones, delectable cakes and sweet treats, an afternoon tea at Whatley Manor in Malmesbury is always a memorable experience. This beautifully restored manor house and spa is nestled within 12 acres of pretty gardens in the heart of the Cotswolds and prides itself on keeping with tradition and having a unique old-English charm: the perfect location for a fancy high tea. Whether you visit in the summer months and dine alfresco on one of the terraces overlooking the gardens or during the winter when you can cosy up in front of a crackling log fire in the Sitting Room, we highly recommend the afternoon teas here. They are also perfect for those wishing to celebrate a special occasion with the option of a glass of champagne, Pimms or a mojito depending on your taste.
Full afternoon tea at Whatley Manor starts at £29 per person.
Stay nearby at: Apt 2 The Old Coach Yard (sleeps 5), Field View Cottage (sleeps 3) or choose from all of our Wiltshire cottages.
Well Walk Tea Room, Cheltenham
For a quirky afternoon tea experience in the Cotswolds, the Well Walk Tea Room in the heart of Regency Cheltenham is the place to go. One of the oldest shops in the town dating back to the 1790s, this charming little Gloucestershire tea room boasts chic interiors, vintage teaware and has a touch of the Mad Hatter about the place. Relax in cute and cosy surroundings during your high tea and choose from four different afternoon tea selections to suit your occasion (or appetite). There’s even a Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea, complete with pork pies and cheese. Think warm crumpets, scones with jam and cream, home-made cakes and a wide selection of tea served in a china pot.
Afternoon tea at the Well Walk Tea Room starts from £12.95 per person.
Stay nearby at: Halfpenny Retreat (sleeps 2), Laverok Cottage (sleeps 2) or choose from all of our Cheltenham cottages.
We also love...
- The Old Bakery in Stow-on-the-Wold where tea is served in fine bone china, with delicious homemade scones, toasted crumpets and teacakes.
- Barnsley House in Cirencester with its summery Pimms Cream Tea served with a scone, clotted cream and jam.
- Lords of the Manor in Upper Slaughter with its extensive loose tea menu with everything from Oolong and Keemun Gong Fu to Kalahari Redbush.
Map of afternoon tea spots in the Cotswolds
Plan your Cotswolds holiday itinerary by finding your favourite afternoon tea spots from the list on the map below.
Where to stay?
Why not combine one of these mouth-watering Cotswolds afternoon tea experiences with a relaxing stay in one of our holiday cottages in the Cotswolds? Perfect for special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Valentines Day, anniversaries and birthdays, you can look forward to pretty gardens, logs fires and sumptuous interiors. The Cotswolds is waiting to be explored by you!
*Prices are correct at the time of publishing; however, they are subject to change.
For more great holiday inspiration, have a read of our guide to the best places to eat in the Cotswolds.
Disclaimer: Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information at the time of writing,
please ensure you check carefully before making any decisions based on the contents within this article.