, The Sunday Times
The ritual of afternoon tea dates from the 1840s — when Anna, Duchess of Bedford felt a little peckish between lunch and dinner — but its popularity shows no sign of waning, judging by the number of #afternoontea posts on Instagram and TikTok. As such, hotel lounges and country tearooms seem to be on a mission to outdo each other with photogenic cake stands displaying mouthwatering creations. Being able to take in a great view while you’re tucking in really tops it off. These seven suggestions should be enjoyed at a leisurely pace, as you let your gaze drift over mountain crags, shimmering lochs or unique cityscapes.
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1. Linthwaite House, Windermere, Cumbria
Afternoon can be taken alfresco overlooking the lake
This boutique hotel in the glorious Lake District has a handsome hillside perch, with fantastic views from its restaurants and lounges. If the weather’s fine you can enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace, overlooking Windermere and Coniston Fells (£39pp). The head chef, Gerald van der Walt, creates new menus every few months based on what is in season, so you might be treated to a lemon and strawberry gâteau in summer or a venison and damson sausage roll in autumn. Afterwards, stay in one of Linthwaite’s comfy rooms, with floral prints and fabric headboards; opt for a View room for vistas of the lake.
Details B&B doubles from £265 (leeucollection.com)
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2. St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire
St Brides Hotel & Spa offers afternoon tea with a Welsh twist
The setting for afternoon tea at St Brides looks out over Saundersfoot Bay, a thick wedge of biscuity gold sand backed by cottages and countryside. There’s a strong Welsh accent to the spread here — expect Caerphilly cheese scones and a “Welsh strawberries and cream” fruit tea — and, best of all, it’s only £29 a head. Be sure to book the Tea Time Me Time package, which combines a spell in the spa’s thermal suite with afternoon tea (from £75). Start the day with a hike along the superlative Pembrokeshire coastline.
Details Room-only doubles from £192 (stbridesspahotel.com)
3. Lodge on Loch Lomond, Luss, Argyll and Bute
Haggis bon bons are an option at the Lodge on Loch Lomond
There’s little that is more soul-soothing than a long, expansive view of a loch. And, as you’d expect, the Lodge on Loch Lomond is in peak position — not just for views of its namesake, but also of Ben Lomond in the background. Expect crowd-pleasing favourites in the afternoon tea, including carrot cake, macarons and chocolate brownies in dainty miniature form; or go savoury with delights such as haggis bon bons (£24pp). After a stroll around the water, visit the Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre or take out a pedal boat. Bed down for the night in one of the Lodge’s tasteful tartan bedrooms.
Details B&B doubles from £219 (loch-lomond.co.uk)
4. The Fell Hotel, Burnsall, North Yorkshire
You’ll get a taste of local produce at the Fell Hotel
The ripples and curves of the evergreen Yorkshire Dales show off English beauty at its finest, and this understated inn near Skipton has dramatic landscapes on all sides. Settle in at the Fell’s two-AA-rosette restaurant, which has huge windows filled with that classic scenery, as well as a tea with a difference. You’ll get an elegantly presented taste of local food heritage — milk stout cake, fruitcake, Yorkshire pudding with roast beef and Yorkshire curd tart (£28pp). The fabulous spread is best enjoyed after tackling a scenic walking loop around the peaceful Bolton Abbey estate, spying the ruins of the 12th-century priory en route.
Details B&B doubles from £154 (boltonabbeyescapes.co.uk)
5. Carbis Bay Estate, St Ives, Cornwall
A clotted-cream colour beach is centre stage for afternoon tea at Carbis Bay
KBRIMSON
It’s a classic Cornish view: a bright teal cove rippling into a wide sweep of pale gold sand and a green headland sheltering the shallows. It could only be improved by clotted cream — applied after the jam, of course, in true Cornish style. Carbis Bay’s afternoon tea overlooks its namesake, a 25-acre blue-flag beach. You can tuck in on the sea-view terrace or in the Orangery (£70 for two). Local jams and Tregothnan tea give it a traditional, sustainable feel — no madcap flavours here. There’s a hotel spa to enjoy beforehand, or nip into nearby St Ives for art galleries, sculptures and quaint seaside shops.
Details B&B doubles from £312 (carbisbayhotel.co.uk)
6. SushiSamba, Edinburgh
SushiSamba has a Latin-Asian fusion afternoon tea
MARC MILLAR
Few city skylines are as distinctive and magical as that of Edinburgh, with its cinematic castle, the Balmoral Hotel’s clock tower and the columns of the National Monument. See it all from one of the new kids on the block, the W Hotel, whose tenth-floor SushiSamba restaurant has views across the urban landscape — and a glam afternoon tea. Take a stroll through Scotland’s prettiest city, taking in the Scots baronial and gothic revival architecture, then settle in at the W for tree-shaped cake stands bearing Latin-Asian fusion treats, including an Edinburgh sushi roll and Brazilian coffee mousse (£65pp). Your room for the night is a glossy, modern number with pops of orange and a little bar set-up for cocktails.
Details Room-only doubles from £251 (marriott.com)
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7. Watersmeet Hotel, Woolacombe, Devon
It’s a Devon cream tea at Watersmeet hotel
Sitting above secluded Combesgate beach, this smart north Devon hotel has 28 lovely rooms, wonderful sea views and direct access to the South West Coast Path. For afternoon tea, delicious handmade cakes and pastries are served alongside sandwiches and scones with Devon cream and jam. You can enjoy it on the terrace or in the cosy lounge — or you could get it packed into a hamper and head out (£45pp). Walk off the calories with a wander down to the beach or Woolacombe village, or grab that hamper and make the 20-minute trek to the rocky headland at Morte Point, from where you can spot Atlantic grey seals.
Details B&B doubles from £180 (watersmeethotel.co.uk)
