The Muddy Insider Guide to Cornwall
Planning to staycay this summer? Our curated guide to Cornwall is packed with our in-the-know tips and up to date openings.
TV Time! 6 best new things to watch this week
Remotes at the ready! From the latest unmissable BBC drama starring Nicola Walker and Sean Bean, to a gripping Netflix true crime documentary here's Muddy's weekly rundown.
60 amazing afternoon teas to book now
It's Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we've found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you'd better book 'em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.
Biggest fan! 10 funky hand fans to buy now
The mercury's rising once again, but we have just the thing! Beat the heat in style with one of these pretty yet practical fans
Freshen up! 40 best ‘tweakment’ salons
Fancy glowing skin, a sculpted jawline or a tighter bum? No need to go under the knife - we've scoured the Muddy counties for the best non-invasive treatments in top-rated salons.
Spa of the Month: Lefay Resort & Spa, Lake Garda
Fancy being buffed, massaged, tweaked and primped? Welcome to the first in our new monthly tried-and-tested guides to the world's best spas. See you pool side, sister!
Meet your Muddy Awards 2022 Finalists!
Your nominations have been totted up and the results are in! Click on your county to see your amazing Muddy Awards 2022 Finalists in your area and VOTE to crown your faves.
Review: Luxe holiday rental at ARC Padstow
Looking for a Cornish escape for the whole crew with serious wow-factor? It doesn't come much more stylish or slick than this reimagined country house in St Issey.
Stamford Endowed Schools, Stamford (Lincs)
Wellbeing and creative thinking are at the heart of this progressive day and boarding school, where children are taught to stretch their horizons while nurturing community spirit.
Garden party! 8 best outdoor bars to buy now
Upgrade your outdoor entertaining game with one of these cool outdoor bars, from funky tiki set-ups to patio pubs. Make mine a Negroni!
Sign in so you can save your favourites across the site
Sign up for our newsletter and be the first to get all you need to know straight to your inbox. Plus with an account you can save your favourites.
Save your favourites with a single click and you’ll never forget a brilliant Muddy recommendation.
It's easy to do. Simply sign up to make an account.
Get the inside line on what’s unique, special and new near you, straight to your inbox across 28 counties
It's Afternoon Tea Week (8-14 Aug) and we've found the 60 best places across the Muddy counties to get your fix. But you'd better book 'em fast — here today, scone tomorrow.
BEDFORDSHIRE BUCKINGHAMSHIRE BERKSHIRE CAMBRIDGESHIRE CORNWALL DERBYSHIRE DEVON DORSET ESSEX GLOUCESTERSHIRE HAMPSHIRE ISLE OF WIGHT HERTFORDSHIRE KENT LEICESTERSHIRE NORFOLK NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NOTTINGHAMSHIRE OXFORDSHIRE RUTLAND SOMERSET SUFFOLK SURREY SUSSEX WARWICKSHIRE WEST MIDLANDS WILTSHIRE WORCESTERSHIRE
If you fancy your afternoon tea with a twist, get thee to The Five Arrows at Waddesdon for their new Afternoon Teapas menu. Instead of a paltry plate of sandwiches and scones to share, you can select your own savouries from a mix and match menu (all with a tapas twist), and then tuck into warm, freshly-made scones and truly scoffable sweets from an a la carte selection. Perfect for those who want to tweak the savoury to sweet ratio – read our Muddy review here for the full experience.
One of Muddy’s favourite coffee shop hangouts, Black Goo serves up more than just an excellent latte. Book the afternoon tea and expect giant sausage rolls and Scotch eggs, lashings of cake and scones and the shop’s famous gooey brownies – not to mention all the breakfast tea you can drink. Celebrating? Swap out your cuppa with free-flowing Prosecco, G&Ts, or wine for £45 a head. Oh go on then, you’ve twisted our arm.
Prefer your afternoon tea vibes more Deco than doilies? Enter Chesterton Hotel’s sleek High Tea offering. Offset a long day shopping at nearby Bicester Village by sinking yourself into one of the plush velvet sofas nestled in Chesterton’s chic black marble surrounds, and indulge in savouries, scones and a daily rotating menu of freshly-made sweets. Wash it down with a signature brew (the speciality tea menu includes the enticingly-named Double Happiness), or shell out an extra tenner for Champagne. £29.95 per person.
What better place to enjoy an English institution than an Oxford icon? Head to The Randolph’s newly-zhuzhed restaurant The Alice for classic finger sandwiches (gotta be cucumber, salmon and coronation chicken), freshly-made scones and sweets – as well as some of the most Instagrammable decor the city has to offer. We’ll be sipping a glass of Coates & Seely English Sparkling Wine with that, thanks. £39.50 per person, £49.50 with champagne.
This next-level tea room is just the ticket for a fancy treat day. It’s named after Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford (we’ve got her to thank for the indulgent tradition that is afternoon tea, did you know?), and you can opt for her namesake tea with smoked chicken terrine and smoked salmon pate, followed by Pimm’s trifle, macrons and Eton Mess tart (£25pp), or a more trad version with cucumber and egg mayo sarnies, followed by Vicky sponge and lemon drizzle cake (£17.50). Add Prosecco for £7 a glass. Savoury top-ups are available from £5-£10, as are veggie, free-from and children’s versions. You can also get a simple tea and scone combo to avoid decision overload.
The chic boutique hotel on the outskirts of the city has (on 28 July) just opened it’s new botanical-inspired restaurant, Omboo. Afternoon Teas are served in the stunning country garden surroundings. Expect all the trimmings from dainty scones with Devonshire cream and crustless sarnies to the prettiest, rainbow-coloured puds. From £29.95 per person Monday-Friday (£34.95 on Saturdays and Sundays). Upgrade to Champagne for £39.95 – £44.95.
This one falls somewhere between fancy and rustic – let’s call it farmhouse chic! Think posh fizz served in pretty vintage crockery at antique farmhouse tables. Enjoy the full farm-to-fork experience with locally produced and seasonal ingredients paired with rare teas from the country kitchen dresser. On the menu are cute sandwiches and tartlets, savoury scones and sweet treats such as rose and pistachio Battenberg. £25 per person. Upgrade your tea with a glass of bubbly Nyetimber (add £14.50).
Drift into Coworth Park and imagine you’re starring in your own Timotei advert. It’s elegant, romantic has loads of royal connections, with an award-winning afternoon tea. Head Pastry Chef Charlotte Silvester’s precision pastries, finger sarnies and scones will lure you into The Drawing Room like the Bisto kids. For a taste of summer, I’d recommend the Meadow Afternoon Tea, inspired by Coworth’s famous sea of wild flowers and the surrounding Berkshire countryside. From £50pp (£65pp with Champers – is there any other way).
Fairmont Windsor Park – a 40-acre country estate sandwiched between Old Windsor and Englefield Green – has a room dedicated to the art of afternoon tea. The Orchid Tea Room once housed the the original owners’ vast orchid collection. Now it’s an elegant room with soft velvet sofas, floral wallpaper and staff gliding around with stands piled high with dainty cakes, precision pastries and finger sarnies. There’s also an impressive number of teas and Champagnes to tickle your tastebuds. Price from £45pp.
Welcome to Biscuit Town! Reading’s fortunes may have turned to tech, back in the day it was all about biscuits. So a celebratory afternoon tea at The Roseate – a sexy townhouse hotel overlooking Forbury Gardens – is a must. Served in The Reading Room, you’re stack of sweet and savoury treats is a homage to Huntley & Palmers biscuits. Indulge in Strawberry Mousse and Breton Coconut & Ginger Biscuit and Rich Dark Chocolate, Hazelnut Praline Tart, Coffee Gel and Chocolate Biscuit Crumbs alongside exquisite pastries, sarnies and scones. From £31.50pp.
Head Chef at The Falcon, Russel Bateman, has curated a superb afternoon tea menu that includes the Compton Cake, featuring seven layers of rum soaked chocolate torte sponge in tribute to the 7th Marquess of Northampton, aka Spencer Compton. We happen to know that Spenny’s into clean eating these days, but that won’t stop us from having a slice or two in his honour. The rest of the menu is pretty tasty too with vegan options available and Laurent Perrier Champagne.
Rushton Hall is the last word in traditional English elegance, with afternoon tea painstakingly put together by the Tea Academy trained Afternoon Tea Manager, it’s hard to beat this sumptuous spread, which includes a choice of Brut or Cuvée Rosé Champagne from Laurent Perrier or a non-alcoholic Sparkling Tea from Copenhagen Sparkling Tea Company to accompany your finger sandwiches, macarons, choux buns and opera cakes. We’ll be opting to wear a floaty dress with a very forgiving waistband.
Pinkies poised for a super traditional afternoon tea at Hartsfield Manor. Step back in time as you tuck into dainty sandwiches, crumbly scones, fresh pastries and cakes. If you’re feeling decadent – and so you should – go for the Sparkling Afternoon Tea which includes a glass of Casa Vinicola Botter Prosecco. The traditional afternoon tea is £25 a head, the Sparkling is £31. There’s also a children’s afternoon tea menu, which includes a marshmallow, flapjack, brownie, cookie and finger sandwiches (tuna mayo, ham, cheese) and hot chocolate for £12.50.
It doesn’t get more decadent than the afternoon teas (yes, teas plural) on offer at Barnett Hill. As well as a quintessentially English afternoon tea, there’s a luxe option with Silent Pool gin cocktails, afternoon tea with Albury Vineyard pink sparkling wine, and the Champagne Afternoon tea. Each comes with light-as-air finger sandwiches, savouries and a selection of pretty cakes and fancies. Make it proper and take tea on the garden terrace (weather permitting) or in one of the cosy lounges. Prices start at £24.50 per person.
How do you take your afternoon tea? With a Martini, Prosecco or Champagne? And perhaps you’d like to partake in a spot of croquet on the lawn. We’re plumping for the Mar-tea-ni Afternoon Tea (£31 per person) experience at Stanhill Court – homemade scones with clotted cream and preserves, finger sandwiches and a selection of cakes and pastries washed down with a Pornstar Martini, Espresso Martini or Passion Fruit Martini. Don’t mind if I do. If fizz is more your style, the Bubbly Afternoon Tea, which includes a bottle of Borgo Molino Prosecco is £36 per person; or upgrade to the Signature Afternoon Tea and sip on a (bottle of ) Mercier Brut Champagne (£46 per person). Tea must be booked 48 hours in advance.
For grown-up glamour, we’re heading to the Elizabethan mansion house that is Great Fosters. Set on a 50-acre estate of beautifully landscaped gardens, it’s the perfect setting for a special gathering. Served daily from noon until 4.20pm in the historic Anne Boleyn drawing room – or in the summer months on the terrace overlooking the parterres garden – the Platinum Jubilee Afternoon tea is an elegant affair with a rotation of fancies, from bavarois to eclairs, served alongside fresh scones and sandwiches. Add a glass of Nyetimber sparkling, Dubonnet Champagne Spritz or Champagne for extra decadence. From £37-£56 per person, and there’s no need to leave Fido at home because there’s a Doggy Afternoon Tea option too.
Thomas Hardy lovers, head for this gorgeous Georgian country house hotel, far from the madding crowd, in picturesque Evershot (‘Evershead’ in Hardy’s novels). Renowned for their patisserie, the trad afternoon tea includes delights like mango, vanilla & white chocolate choux bun, hazelnut & browned butter financier and passionfruit macaron. If that doesn’t tickle the taste buds, try their savoury tea, with cheddar and herb scones, Dorset charcuterie, cheeses, Chesil smoked salmon and more. Best enjoyed from the drawing room (designed by Hardy, who was an architect), conservatory, whisky lounge or on the terrace. £40.
Afternoon tea on the banks of the river Frome, with the Purbeck Hills beyond *sigh*. The French chef at this former monastery turned luxury independent hotel fuses European and English styles in a choice of afternoon teas that range from a Dorset apple cake and clotted cream jobby, to a decadent ‘Ritzy’ and a savoury tea that include lobster brioche, crab wraps and chicken liver parfait macaroons – with or without prosecco. From £8.25 to £47 (for two, including the booze).
Lose yourself in the English country walled garden behind Bath’s iconic Georgian crescent, surely one of the city’s most spectacular settings. Choose from freshly-baked scones, finger sandwiches, highly Instagrammable pastries and an optional glass of fizz served in the hotel’s swanky The Dower House Restaurant or in the idyllic gardens. Sip from an extensive selection of Ronnefeldt teas, exclusively-sourced from around the world. Afternoon tea costs £39.50 per person, or £53 with a glass of Taittinger. Rude not to, really.
Sip on bottomless cups of tea – or coffee if you’re going rogue – alongside all the classics (egg mayo and cucumber sandwiches, we’re looking at you) at this boutique hotel in the heart of Exmoor National Park. Elevated desserts include zesty lemon profiteroles and strawberry salsa and pistachio brownie, which I think we can all agree is well worth the £30 per person. Upgrade your cuppa to a glass of fizz for £9 if you’re celebrating, or you know, just because.
Swerve the scones and say konnichiwa to a Japanese-inspired afternoon tea at this seriously stylish sushi restaurant in Bath. Enjoy eclectic delicacies including akami (tuna) sashimi and fried chicken karaage followed by miso cake and mochi ice cream (a traditional Japanese sweet rice dough wrapped around ice cream which is categorically delicious) – and a selection of Japanese teas, from jasmine to ginger and lemongrass, from £28 per person, or £35 with a glass of Cantina La Cavea Prosecco.
If you like your afternoon tea with less pomp and more chill, pre-book at the Duchy of Cornwall nursery to enjoy pistachio & lime meringue cake, toasted hazelnut chocolate truffle bar, rose and raspberry macaron, quail’s Scotch egg, seasonal savoury quiche tart and grilled focaccia open sandwiches, all served individually and accompanied by local tea or coffee in signature red striped Cornishware cups. Afternoon tea is served daily from 3pm, Monday – Saturday, and from 2.30pm on Sunday. We recommend nabbing a sunny nook in the garden overlooking Restormel Castle, or in the epic greenhouse. £25pp, or £30 with Prosecco.
Hotel Meudon is a secret hidey-hole, with sub-tropical gardens and its own beach where you can swim and sunbathe undisturbed. The glass-fronted restaurant overlooks the beautiful gardens, and the indoor vines bring a Mediterranean vibe to the elegantly tiled dining room. Pick a sunny afternoon and tea can be served outside under the palm trees. Options include the Full Meudon Afternoon Tea and the more indulgent Champagne Afternoon Tea, served from 2.30pm-5pm daily. £17 – 28pp.
Fowey Hall is thought to be the inspiration for Toad Hall, in Kenneth Grahame’s Wind in the Willows. Perched majestically above Fowey with a lovely sea view it’s easy to see why. They also do an excellent Wind in the Willows-themed afternoon tea which will enchant adults and kids alike. For 2022 comes their Matilda themed offering – without spoiling the foodie surprise, they reckon their “Brucie chocolate cake” will be one to remember.
Home to the county’s only safari experience, as well as over 900 animals across 75 species – this wildlife park and breeding sanctuary offers something special. Situated between Ashford and Folkestone, there’s plenty to do at Port Lympne Reserve. After all the animal adventures, indulge in Afternoon Tea at Port Lympne Hotel, while the kids go wild in the play areas and maze. This one makes for an Afternoon Tea experience with a difference!
Treat yourself to Afternoon Tea at Champney’s Eastwell Manor Hotel & Health Spa, in their Grand Oak-Panelled Lounge overlooking the garden. Best of all, book yourself and your mum, sis or bestie, into the spa too and make a day of it. With a selection of freshly cut finger sandwiches and savouries – as well as the all-important warm scones with clotted cream and homemade jam – you’ll sip from china cups and dine on scones in the very same room as Queen Victoria over a hundred years before you.
Ease into effortless elegance at this five-star hotel that serves a classic afternoon tea al fresco on the Terrace or in the Drawing Room of the Jacobean manor. The menu includes cream cheese and cucumber sandwiches (I mean, of course it does), a sausage pithier, obligatory scones and tempting pastries. There’s a huge choice of teas, or go the Muddy way and pair sarnies with a G&T. Anyone for tennis? The Court & Cake afternoon tea (£130 per couple, or £260 for four) means you can squeeze in a two-hour game before tucking into your tea and cake. Win-win.
Enter your own tea-time Wonderland via the rabbit hole, for an Alice-themed adventure. The High Tea is based on Lewis Carroll’s much-loved tome and serves classic finger sandwiches, home-baked cakes and pastries (vegan options available) with the option to pair with bubbles or tea, depending on how mad you want this Hatter’s party to get. The decor (designed by local artist Mr Dave Pop) and inspired by the Queen of Hearts, will capture the imagination of kids and grown-ups alike. From £17.95 per person.
A Holt institution, Byfords is a café, deli, pub, restaurant, ice cream parlour and boutique hotel all in one. You can’t pass its doors without bagging a chocolate ginger cake to go. Keep it on the low-down but there’s a takeaway afternoon tea box available too – deliciously dangerous. Pre-book for the scrumptious Classic Afternoon Tea (from £19.75pp), served daily, but pud-aholics will want to block out the first Sunday of every month for the themed Afternoon Tea Extravaganza (£27.50 pp). A magnificent spread of decadent desserts and sweet treats where you can fill your plates with as much as you like. Elbows ready!
The gardens of historic Ketteringham Hall, South Norfolk, are the perfect English setting to sip loose-leaf tea or champers and nibble on something delicate. The parasol-dotted terrace of the Orangery Tea Room serves up lake and countryside views alongside its darn delicious afternoon teas (be sure to pre-book). The classic three-tiered selection (£24.95 pp) is all you could hope for, with finger sandwiches, sweet treats and freshly-baked mini scones. Overworked your sweet tooth? Sample the savoury alternative (£26.96pp): a platter of deliciousness including Happy Pig sausage rolls, tartlets, herby shortbreads, mini cheese scones – with a couple of homemade sweet bites (brownie and blondie) for good measure.
We’re off to see the Wizard! Or more accurately, to gobble up the oh-so-fabulous Wizard of Oz Afternoon Tea which is on at the Assembly House in Norwich until 6 September. We love the glittery red shortbread ruby slippers and ‘I’ll Get You My Pretty’ mint and chocolate cupcake, complete with melted witch. Make sure you remember to Insta it before you tuck in! Dairy-free, vegan and vegetarian versions available.
Pull up a stylish chair amidst perfumed planters on the glorious terrace at super-glam No.131, for a platter of delightful treats. Located in the heart of Regency Montpellier, this stylish bar, hotel and restaurant is a dreamy place for afternoon tea. Choose from Traditional, a fancy Nyetimber Tea with bubbles, or the Cheeky Cream Tea (our fave, obvs) which includes decadent sarnies, cakes, scones and a special Forest Earl Grey Tea infused gin. Cin cin to that!
The ever-elegant Duke’s Tea Room or stylishly decked out Summer Garden at The Queen’s Hotel tick all the boxes for superior scoffing. Tuck into an indulgent classic Afternoon Tea combining the freshest homemade savoury and sweet treats served with the finest infusions (or a glass of champers). Served daily from 12.30 to 4.30pm it’s £25 per person and kids can get mini Alice in Wonderland Teas for just £9.95. Make sure to try the Rose Petal tea or the Jasmine tea, a scented green tea infusion with real jasmine blossoms.
The luxe Lygon Arms is the perfect setting for a posh yet cosy afternoon tea. Aside from the fluffy, freshly baked scones, dainty finger sandwiches and irresistible sweet cakes, you can go all-out with a paired glass of Veuve Clicquot Champagne. From £29 per person and if you’ve got kids in tow ask for their mini afternoon tea for £15 per child. Afterwards attempt to stroll it all off in beautiful Broadway.
The afternoon tea at the Centenary Lounge, in the historic centre of Worcester, comes in three tempting options; the Classic Afternoon Tea, the Canapé Afternoon Tea and the funky-sounding Cheese & Wine Afternoon Tea. Starting from £19, choose your dietary downfall (it’s so worth it) then pimp it up with your choice of desserts and cakes. Vegan & Gluten Free options are available too.
Nothing curious about Boringdon Hall bringing back their popular Alice in Wonderland-themed Afternoon Tea! It’s a classic, complete with raspberry and rosewater tarts and Cheshire cat macarons, all served in their magnificent Great Hall, beside ornate tapestries, and the 17th century coat of arms of King James I. Do shout “off with your heads” as you bite into rose-red fancies. Don’t say we told you to.
New for summer 2022, Exeter’s indie bar and eatery (so good we had our Muddy Awards Drinks Do there) have launched their new High Tea, with everything handmade from scratch in the Margoux kitchens, from the macaroons to the sausage rolls. Presented at your table in two halves of a golden birdcage (I know!) it is utterly opulent, especially when washed down with a bottle of sparkling from model Cara Delevingne’s own vineyard. Lush.
You can always rely on Parker’s Tavern’s creative chef Tristan Welch to pull something special out the bag, and that’s exactly what he’s done with the fabulous afternoon tea on offer at the University Arms. Their current tea, inspired by A.A Milne’s Winnie the Pooh, is a feast for the eyes and tastebuds alike, and is a fun take on the traditional afternoon tea fare. The Pooh Bear macaron is exceptionally cute, almost too good to eat, but we’ll give it a go anyway.
If it’s a classic afternoon tea with delicate, clinking tea cups, dinky sandwiches, bite-sized cakes and five-star service you’re after, then you’ll not be disappointed by The Gonville Hotel’s afternoon tea. It’s served in the Garden Restaurant ‘On The Lawn’ and is an idyllic way to spend an afternoon unwinding in the city. Did someone say chicken, duck AND pork sausage roll?
If you like to make a grand entrance to afternoon tea, this is the place to come, with its long sweeping driveway and stately home vibes. You can choose to eat in the elegant wood-panelled lounge or enjoy your cakes and scones al fresco in the pretty gardens. £25 per person or with a flight of Laurent Perrier for £45. Hic!
Period features galore, smart crisp white tablecloths and a hushed atmosphere of elegantly refined dining. This will do nicely, thank you very much. Afternoon tea doesn’t get smarter than at The Swan in Lavenham. Sandwiches and cakes are perfectly diddy and absolutely delectable. There’s also the chance to pair up your experience with a spa treatment at the hotel’s Weavers Spa. Heaven, or as close to.
This award-winning afternoon tea pulls out all the stops. Choose from the classic, gluten-free or vegan afternoon tea (all £22 per person) and enjoy unique finger sandwiches including chicken, bacon and basil as well as the classic cucumber and cream cheese, plus scones and a selection of desserts – we’re loving the cherry and chocolate mousse. As for tea, we’ll take the Gin and Tonic please (yes, it’s a tea for reals). Available Saturdays between 12 -2.30pm.
Enjoy an afternoon tea to chase up a truly relaxing day at this gorgeous spa in the heart of Market Harborough. Once you’re done pampering yourself, head upstairs to tuck into a tasty finger sandwiches, scones and sweet treats all freshly prepared on site and served with a choice of tea, coffee or half a bottle of prosecco. £25 per person.
This gorgeous gourmet bolthole in the heart of the Hambleton Peninsula serves a tempting afternoon tea that includes sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and jam, cakes and a choice of tea for £18.95. If you manage to grab a table on the terrace, you can enjoy it all with stunning views of Rutland Water. Upgrade your tea with some fizz and choose from Prosecco (£25.95 per person) Champagne (£28.95) or English Sparkling Wine (£28.95 per person). Served Mon-Sat, 3-5pm.
If you’re sleeping-over in this pub with rooms, bag a spot in the garden area and tuck into warm, fluffy, homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam as well as a selection of delectable fingers sandwiches filled with everything from mature cheddar and onion to roast ham and mustard for £16.95, or splash out a little more on a bottle of Prosecco or a jug of Pimms. Cheers to that.
How’s this for a sparkling summer outing? A slap-up picnic afternoon tea (£35) with dainty sandwiches, home-baked scones and artisan cakes, paired with a glass of Hambledon Classic Cuvée Rosé, served up overlooking this gorgeous and historic Hampshire vineyard. Our kind of picnic.
Fancy being the lady of the 12-acre Edwardian Chilworth Manor for an afternoon? Tuck into fresh finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and homemade jam, pastries, a choice of tea or freshly brewed coffee (£17.50) in the smart, £1m-refurbed lounge and restaurant, or outside on the terrace overlooking the landscaped grounds and the conservation area beyond.
The Grand Dame of the New Forest, Chewton Glen’s renowned afternoon tea (from £45) got a bit of an upgrade this year (think cheese and truffle amuse bouche, Matcha green tea and apricot cupcake, Cornish-grown tea). Thoughtful, delicious and nothing so controversial as to set the teacups rattling, this one’s a brilliant special occasion treat.
Live like a Royal (for the day, anyway) at the Isle of Wight’s top spot for afternoon tea. Located on the south of the Island, it’s been delighting visitors since 1832 (including Queen Victoria, who was reputedly a big fan and if it’s good enough for Queen Vic). Taken in the Brasserie or Geranium Terrace, choose from a Royal Afternoon Tea at £27 per person or upgrade to a Champagne afternoon tea at £36 (no brainer, really).
The beautiful, temperate gardens at Mottistone make for a stunning day out. In summer, the borders are absolutely ablaze with a rainbow of beautiful colour. It may not come served up on a pretty tiered cake stand but a cream tea and a great big slab of Victoria sponge in the tearoom here really hits the spot after all that strolling around.
Whether you’re after tea, cakes and fizz before catching a show, or just a bit of decadence while visiting the birthplace of the Bard, this afternoon tea is a goodie. The RSC Rooftop is one of our favourite restaurants in the town and its ‘high tea’ includes homemade quiche, pistachio macaroons and a Royal choix swan. Splendid.
Enjoy freshly baked scones, delicate sandwiches, homemade cakes and pastries from the top chefs at Muddy-fave Mallory Court. Food is served alongside fine teas poured in china cups. You can take it in the Manor House or if it’s a bit warmer enjoy with the stunning views from the Terrace.
Coombe Abbey Hotel is one of those places you can go with granny, your other half, or friends and they’ll all be equally impressed. There’s the Monks, Knights or Abbott afternoon teas to choose from (and yes, there’s one with champers – or gin, if that’s more your tipple). It’s served in the elegant, glass-ceilinged Garden Room Restaurant. Once you’ve finished have a stroll around the epic 500 acres of formal gardens and historic woodland.
Afternoon tea with a difference? Head to this Japanese restaurant which recently opened in Solihull. There’s champagne, cocktail, sake or matcha tea options and expect freshly-made sushi, mochi ice cream and other sweet treats. It’s got the perfect balance of sweet to savoury and if finger sandwiches aren’t your vibe, then this is the one for you.
There’s no better place in Wilts to snaffle egg and cress sandwiches than the beautiful Drawing Room at Lucknam Park, an 18th century Palladian mansion set amongst 500 glorious acres of gardens and parkland. With a tea selection to outfox even the Emperor of China (Broken Orange Pekoe, anyone?), handmade patisseries and homemade jam, this is a proper afternoon tea, as your posh granny used to do it. Treat yourself to a splurge in their luxurious mega-spa afterwards (plunge pool, thermal cabins, lounge with mixology bar) and, honestly, you’ll never want to leave.
For an afternoon tea with a twist (you’ll need it after all that shopping in Salisbury), take the weight off at this hotel in the heart of the city. Tea comes served with finger sandwiches – with crusts cut off, natch – scones with jam and cream, and all the cakes you can face. Throw in a glass of bubbles and it still won’t break the bank.
With a cute twist on traditional teas, Tom Browns serves up classic flavours and the freshest produce on mini picnic tables. Their ‘Afternoon Tea In The Garden’ is perfect if you’re bringing little ones along, but doesn’t skimp on quality. You’ll get buttery scones, signature macaroons, unlimited posh sarnies and more, for £20 per person. The restaurant’s riverside location and sterling reputation makes it very popular so book in advance.
Finger sarnies are banned at The Pudding Pantry. Instead, the talented team of chefs and bakers have applied some creative wizardry to their famous afternoon teas. Bellini cupcakes, buttermilk chicken sliders, ‘nduja sausage rolls, the list goes on and on. Book your table at one of the Pantry’s three locations around Nottingham. And FYI, there’s a bottomless option if the mood takes you.
Fancy a bit of Georgian glamour with your afternoon tea? Look no further than the stunning Kedleston Country House. Known county-wide for its incredible afternoon teas, expect a classically British affair with fine china, posh champers and the daintiest pastries. Finish off your visit with a walk around the grounds of the Kedleston Estate. The house is just a stone’s throw from Kedleston Hall, an 18th-century show palace that was built to rival Chatsworth.
A word of warning, expect Derbyshire portions with this one. Local Muddy Award winners Oakhill offer a traditional three-tier-and-fizz option that’s packed with delicious local produce. The Grade II listed manor house has recently been restored to its former elegant glory, and is part of Richard Arkwright’s family history. The gardens are also gorgeous – you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spot in the Dales to catch the sun with a cake and an Aperol Spritz.
Our A-Z of the grooviest local businesses to help make your life easier
For the best things happening across 25 Muddy counties
Don't already know how splendiferous we are? Read our story.
We love to work with like-minded brands and clients. For national advertising or brand partnership queries please find out how to Work with Muddy.
We’re way too modest to boast about our success. Er, AS IF! Here’s what the press has to say about Muddy Stilettos.