Treat yourself, family and friends, to lunch and afternoon tea with a visit to one of these fantastic Sussex tea rooms
Metro Deco
38 Upper St James's St, Kemptown, Brighton BN2 1JN
This quirky, 1930s Parisian-style tea salon in Kemptown serves seductive sweet treats on vintage crockery to guests sitting on vintage furniture. There's even a rail of vintage clothing so you can choose a dress to wear while you're there.
As well as the classic option (£24 per person), you can enjoy your afternoon tea with prosecco, Sussex sparkling, G and T or a tea cocktail.
Grand Hotel
King Edward's Parade, Eastbourne BN21 4EQ
Afternoon tea at The Grand is a bit of a local institution. There's a choice of settings for afternoon tea, from the gracious Great Hall to more intimate lounges. On the last Sunday of the month, Shelley van Loen and the Palm Court Strings Orchestra provide a glorious accompaniment to the tinkle of tea being poured into china.
Junior and Champagne afternoon teas are available as well as the regular offering, which starts from £26, and there are different themes throughout the year, including tennis in June.
Julien Plumart (re-opening shortly, currently delivering)
48 Queens Rd, Brighton BN1 3XB
This master patissier's macarons are the stuff of Brighton legend, and it's one of the city's great pleasures to pore over their brightly coloured ranks before tripping out with a prettily tied box.
Julien has a small café and shop on Queens Road that offers a delicious afternoon tea menu with a French twist. Ooh, la la!
At the moment, the Patisserie is only offering deliveries through Deliveroo (they hope to open asap), but who says you can't have a luxury Afternoon Tea in the comfort of your own home? Just order one of the Cake Lovers Boxes and pop the kettle on.
Badgers Tea House (re-opening shortly)
North St, Alfriston BN26 5UG
A quaint, traditional little tea room in the delightful village of Alfriston. This is a lovely place for a day out, encompassing a visit to the National Trust's first acquisition, the Alfriston Clergy House, and a meander around the interesting shops and art galleries.
Badgers Tea is currently closed due to new management, but they hope to open as soon as possible.
Little Cottage Tea Rooms
Ranscombe Ln, Glynde, Lewes BN8 6ST
Occupying a prime position in the delightful downland village of Glynde, this traditional tea room is next to the village shop and shares the same owner.
Afternoon teas £16.50 per person (minimum two people) must be booked at least 24 hours in advance - although a cream tea is available at any time for £6.25 per person. All the produce on offer is baked in the village and served on dainty china, while there's a lovely garden to enjoy in the summer months.
Beanstalk Tea Garden
Beanstalk Cottage, Firle, Lewes BN8 6PA
A real oasis from the hurly-burly of modern life, this quirky little cottagecore enclave is in a rural setting near Firle. Teas are served in the tranquil cottage gardens with further seating in an Indian tea tent.
Enjoy a walk up nearby Firle Beacon or on the surrounding South Downs before indulging in homemade goodies as the resident peacocks meander on by.
www.facebook.com/BeanstalkTeaGarden
Leonardslee Gardens
Brighton Rd, Lower Beeding, Horsham RH13 6PP
Overseen by Michelin-starred executive chef Jean Delport, afternoon tea is served in the drawing-room of the Italianate mansion. It's a wonderful vantage point to enjoy the gardens - look out for beautiful camellias early in the season.
Various menu options include a children's version for £23.
Amberley Village Tea Room
The Square, Amberley, Arundel BN18 9SR
The ladies behind this traditional tea room make everything by hand, from nourishing soups to indulgent cakes cut into generous slabs.
There's a pretty courtyard for good weather, and the location makes it a great place to rest weary feet after a tramp over the Wild Brooks or South Downs.
https://www.facebook.com/amberleyvillagetearoom/
Amberley Castle
Church St, Amberley, Arundel BN18 9LT
Step into a tranquil, fairy tale world inhabited by beautiful albino peacocks who are rather partial to cake crumbs. Afternoon tea is served in the hotel's lounges or in fine weather on the terrace, which enjoys exquisite views towards Bury Hill. The comestibles on offer include finger sandwiches, fruit and plain scones with clotted cream and seasonal preserve, and a selection of delicious cakes, quiche and sausage rolls.
Tea in the Square
2 The Square, Angmering, Littlehampton BN16 4EF
Winner of the Tea/Coffee Shop of the Year category at the 2019 Celebration of Sussex Life Awards, the two owners spent years working in banking before realising their mutual dream of opening a nostalgic tea parlour. With an array of mouth-watering treats on offer, it might be rather difficult to settle on sweet or savoury.
For your al fresco dining needs, Tea in the Square makes up hampers, with delicious treats tied up with brown paper and string.
www.facebook.com/teainthesquare
Café Elvira
Borde Hill Ln, Gardens, Haywards Heath RH16 1XP
Glorying in the delightful setting of Borde Hill Gardens, Café Elvira is adjacent to the highly regarded Jeremy's Restaurant and run by the eponymous Jeremy's wife, Vera. Afternoon tea (£22.50) must be booked at least 24 hours in advance and includes tantalising treats such as elderflower drizzle cake and peach melba cheesecake.
Borde Hill Gardens are beautiful in the spring, so why not work up an appetite there beforehand?
www.jeremysrestaurant.co.uk/cafe-elvira
Joanna's Boutique Tearoom
River House, 34 High St, Storrington, Pulborough RH20 4DU
The menu (£25 per person) includes cheese straws and Welsh rarebit alongside the usual sandwiches, while the seasonal sweets are truly sumptuous. There's also the option to add half a bottle of local sparkling wine Nyetimber for £22.50.
www.joannasboutiquetearoom.com
Alexander House
East St, Turners Hill, East Grinstead RH10 4QD
This grand hotel serves an interesting selection of teas from Brighton-based company Hoogly and treats made in-house by the hotel's pastry chef. Sandwiches include truffle egg mayonnaise brioche, and the fruit tart comes highly recommended.
The hotel's Utopia Spa is also well worth a visit, with the best pool we've come across in Sussex and a relaxing spa garden. Combine the two experiences for a truly decadent day.
