Home to many quintessentially English medieval towns and villages, the Cotswolds is one of the best places to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea. So, whether you’re on a romantic break with your other half, a group family holiday, or a girls getaway, afternoon tea in the Cotswolds will be a highlight of your trip.
As one of the most picturesque areas of the UK, the Cotswolds is packed full of quaint coffee shops, tea rooms and glamorous hotels perfect for munching on cakes and scones. With so many pretty places for afternoon tea in the Cotswolds to choose from, though, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you out. Scroll through our top picks for Cotswolds afternoon tea and satisfy that sweet tooth.
Nibble on perfectly cut sandwiches with delicious fillings, including ham and mustard, cheese and pickle, prawn and Marie rose, and a sausage roll for good measure. Follow this with a blackcurrant and pistachio tart, a lemon cheesecake macaroon, chocolate and raspberry choux, and a fruit tea loaf. Oh and don’t forget the all important fruit and plain scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Wash it all down with a huge range of teas or pay a little extra for a glass of champagne. So, if you’re looking for the best afternoon tea in the Cotswolds for scrumptious delights in a serene environment, Dormy House should be your go to!
Dormy House is a splendid boutique hotel and spa located in Worcestershire that serves up one of the best afternoon teas in the Cotswolds. The Potting Shed is the hotel’s dedicated space for a traditional Cotswolds afternoon tea with a twist. With bold patterned wallpaper, bright blue accents and comfy banquet seating, this is the ideal spot to enjoy a relaxing afternoon tea in the Cotswolds. Here, you can tuck into a selection of savoury and sweet delights stacked elegantly on a round stand.
Dating back to 1890 in the heart of Burford village, you can expect to find one of the best afternoon teas in the Cotswolds at Huffkins Café & Bakery. Set within a stunning listed building that still retains many of its original features, Huffkins is the perfect retreat to enjoy a traditional afternoon tea. At this cosy gem, you can find all kinds of classic homemade goodies, so it’s no surprise that their Cotswolds afternoon tea impresses too. And don’t just take it from us; this afternoon tea in the Cotswolds was named one of the top in the area by Country Life Magazine.
There are a number of options when it comes to afternoon tea at this Cotswolds tea room. There’s both a sweet and savoury cream tea, consisting of either a plain scone with clotted cream and jam or a cheese scone with farm butter, and spicy tomato and caramelised onion chutney. Alternatively, opt for the Teddy Bear’s Picnic for the kids. Served on a tiered stand, little ones can tuck into a choice of cheddar, ham, or tuna mayonnaise rolls, alongside crisps and a salad garnish. Finish off with a hand-decorated gingerbread teddy bear! For the adults, this tea room in the Cotswolds offers a classic afternoon tea for two with a selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones. Or, choose the celebration afternoon tea for two which is also served with your choice of Prosecco or gin. So, if you’re looking for the best afternoon tea for all ages, Huffkins caters for all.
The Painswick is a beautiful boutique hotel in Stroud set within historic 18th century architecture, making it the perfect tranquil space for a spot of afternoon tea in the Cotswolds. But while the building might whisk you back to the 1700s, their Cotswolds afternoon tea takes a more modern approach. So, you can sit back and enjoy a selection of delicious sandwiches and cakes by the log fire in one of the hotel’s cosy lounges or outside on the sunny terrace when the weather is warmer.
The Painswick Hotel serves up their Cotswold afternoon tea a little differently to most. You get to choose from a delectable buffet of delights and see what you fancy most. Once you’ve chosen, your sandwiches, cakes and scones will be served on two boards; one for sweet and one for savoury. For the savoury selection think ham and cheese toasties, melt-in-the-mouth scotch eggs, pork pies and pork scratchings. For the sweet, choose from the likes of banana Battenberg, carrot cake, lemon madeleine and so much more. This is certainly the best afternoon tea in the Cotswolds for anyone who likes to make the occasion bespoke to them.
Lords of the Manor is a fabulous country house hotel that offers a serene haven in which to enjoy the best afternoon tea in the Cotswolds, with dreamy views across the eight acres of pruned gardens and rolling hills beyond. With this being a very popular Cotswolds afternoon tea amongst locals and visitors alike, be sure to plan your booking ahead of time. And there’s no doubting that this afternoon tea in the Cotswolds is one of the best given that the hotel itself has been awarded a Michelin star for its scrumptious food.
Here, you have the choice of a full afternoon tea for those who are hungry or celebrating, or the cream tea for something a little lighter. The full afternoon tea comes with a mouthwatering selection of sandwiches and cakes. To start, nibble on perfectly rectangular sandwiches filled with favourites like honey roasted ham and cheddar cheese, free range egg mayonnaise and cress, smoked salmon and lemon cream cheese, and classic cucumber and cream cheese. Moving onto the sweet plate, find everything from passion fruit tarts and Amaretto panna cotta to chocolate and orange gateau. Of course, not forgetting the scones, including fruit and plain, with jam and clotted cream.
Situated in the pretty village of Broadway, Tisanes is a traditional English tea room in the Cotswolds that specialises in homemade cakes and sandwiches. So, what better place to indulge in one of the best afternoon teas in the Cotswolds? Sat postcard-pretty on a quiet street, this Cotswold tea room welcomes guests with its cream-fronted exterior and hanging flower baskets. Inside, you can experience a true English tea room feel, with flower-patterned table cloths and wooden furniture.
When it comes to the food, you won’t be disappointed either. On the sandwich menu, find delights like cheese and pickle, local cured ham, egg mayonnaise and salad, and tuna mayonnaise. Moving onto the sweet treats, think homemade flapjack, shortbread, caramel slice, and chocolate tiffin. What really makes this the best afternoon tea in the Cotswolds, though, is the scones! Choose from plain or fruit with lashings of clotted cream and jam.
Lucknam Park Hotel is a grand country manor set within over 500 acres of landscaped grounds, offering an incredible backdrop for an one of the best afternoon teas in the Cotswolds. If you’re looking for the epitome of luxury when it comes to your Cotswold afternoon tea, look no further than the indulgent Lucknam Park Hotel and treat yourself to something special. Whether it’s for a celebratory occasion or a treat after a long day shopping, there’s no better place for a traditional afternoon tea in the Cotswolds.
As always, the full afternoon tea offering includes finger sandwiches, cakes, sweet treats, pastries and a wide selection of teas to choose from; or Champagne if you’re feeling really fancy. This Cotswolds afternoon tea is usually served in the Library or Drawing Room, where guests can enjoy their spread with brilliant views of the perfectly pruned, lush green gardens. And, if the weather’s warm enough, why not dig in out on the terrace?
Barnsley House is a honey-stoned hotel situated in a picture-perfect village with stylish interiors, excellent food and even a relaxing spa. Considered one of the top hotels in the area, this adults-only retreat is also considered the best afternoon tea in the Cotswolds by many. This Cotswolds afternoon tea is served in The Potager where floor-to-ceiling windows allow you to admire the splendour of the gardens and take in the scents of the flowers when they’re flung open in the warmer months.
One of the best afternoon teas in the Cotswolds, Barnsley House know how to do quintessentially British in the best way possible. The Classic Tea comes with a delicious range of finger sandwiches, sweet treats and your choice of tea or coffee. Or, if you’re feeling celebratory, why not upgrade your Cotswold afternoon tea to the G & T option or the Champagne Tea. There really is no better place to enjoy afternoon tea in the Cotswolds if you’re looking for a romantic trip for two.
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