From grand country estates and heritage railways to cosy cafés and creative twists on the classic cream tea, Yorkshire is full of sweet spots where you can celebrate this most British of traditions.
Susie Watson Designs
Make it an afternoon tea extravaganza ‘at home’ in celebration of Afternoon Tea Week – August 10-16.
Invite friends and family for a summer celebration. Bake cakes, buy cakes, bring cakes – celebrate the sweet stuff your way! Fill the table with strawberry scones, clotted cream, finger sandwiches, petite pies, imaginative savouries and flutes of fizz with a pot of Earl Grey alongside. Get the ultimate English country garden look with tableware from Susie Watson Designs, which has a showroom in Harrogate for a closer peek.
Hand-painted pottery and pretty table linen lends itself perfectly to celebrating the quintessentially British summer tradition.
Head to the garden for floral abundance. Grab armfuls of glorious greenery, layer up wild flowers, frothy stems and pretty blooms then add them to a jumble of jars for a laid-back look.
2 Montpellier Gardens, Harrogate, susiewatsondesigns.co.uk
Swinton Estate
If you like grand Yorkshire surroundings for your traditional afternoon tea and the weather is good, you can feast at Swinton Park’s South Terrace on a balmy summer’s day. It might follow a game of croquet or a stroll around the grounds. Inside, sit sweetly in the splendour and elegance of the Drawing Room or Sitting Room with their stunning views across the Deer Park.
Linger over, sweet delicacies from the pastry kitchen, locally sourced meats, local preserves, and perhaps a glass of English sparkling wine or Champagne for an extra-special occasion. There’s a good selection of leaf teas and wellness drinks on offer too.
Afternoon tea can also be served in your room if you’re staying or a private room for family gatherings or celebrations. From £45pp.
swintonestate.com
Highland Cow Cream Tea
Nestled on the outskirts of Harrogate, you’ll find a completely unique twist on the classic British tradition of afternoon tea as you step into the world of Windmill Retreat’s beloved Highland Cows, affectionately named Angus, Red and Bruno. ‘Each of our cows have their own unique personality, and as you connect with them, you’ll get to know their quirks and enjoy a hands-on experience feeding and grooming them,’ says Windmill Retreats. ‘After your hands-on experience, unwind in our cosy dining geodome, surrounded by the peaceful presence of the cows. Indulge in a freshly prepared afternoon tea, featuring locally sourced sweet treats, savoury bites and freshly brewed tea.’ There are plenty of photo opportunities! £50pp.
windmillretreats.co.uk
Bettys
It’s a Yorkshire institution so we can’t help but include it in any round-up of afternoon tea spots, can we? The tea room is a favourite of writer Alan Bennett – the Guardian newspaper’s theatre editor ‘once spotted the writer in his natural environment, enjoying a pot of tea and reading the London Review of Books’. Nowadays it’s also a go-to for the Instagram generation tracking down the tasty species known as the Fat Rascal. Pop into one of the five tea room destinations – York, Harrogate, Northallerton, Ilkley and RHS Harlow Carr – for a plate of cinnamon toast and coffee or the full afternoon tea in its dainty, tiered glory is bookable for a special occasion in Harrogate and York (from £44.95pp). You can order the afternoon tea experience to be delivered, too.
bettys.co.uk
Keighley and Worth Valley Railway
What better way to enjoy the steam travel than with the addition of sweet treats? The Keighley and Worth Valley line, which takes in stations including Oxenhope and Haworth, and has grown into one of the country’s premium heritage railways, offers special journeys combining both. Tuck into a traditional afternoon tea on August 2, 9, 16 and 23 (from £35pp) where you’ll find a selection of finger sandwiches, macarons, mini cakes and a buttermilk scone with jam and clotted cream. For those with a savoury palette, a Ploughman’s lunch (£45pp) available on August 1 and 8 may tickle the taste buds – expect a feast with hunks of sourdough, butchers’ ham, cheese, fruit, chutney and more.
kwvr.co.uk
Lockton Tea Rooms
In the heart of the North York Moors National Park, Lockton is a village alive with creativity with artists living and working there. Lockton Tea Rooms is also a gallery exhibiting their work and is a fine spot to linger and enjoy afternoon tea.
This part of the world is known as Yorkshire’s ‘Capital of Cake’, with baking traditions, tight-lipped generational secrets and skilled bakers. Discover teashops in tranquil villages, local produce from working farms and walled gardens, and afternoon tea at historic abbeys, cafés and bakeries – all putting cake centre stage in the North York Moors.
At Lockton, sit down to a platter of finger sandwiches, homemade cakes, scones with clotted cream and jam, tea or coffee. £28pp.
locktontearooms.co.uk
Grantley Hall
Afternoon tea at Grantley is a sophisticated affair, created with the finest Yorkshire produce by executive pastry chef Stefan Rose. The elegant surroundings of the five-star hotel’s Drawing Room add to the luxe experience. ‘Working alongside my fantastic team, my goal with all my sweet creations is to use the finest ingredients and techniques in order to create exceptional desserts that put a smile on your face when you taste and see them,’ says Stefan. Starting at £80pp, guests can enjoy the Signature Afternoon Tea, Champagne Afternoon Tea, or the Non-alcoholic Champagne Afternoon Tea. For celebrations or special occasions, a private afternoon tea is available in either The Brook Room (six to 10 people) or Parklands (up to 20 people).
grantleyhall.co.uk
Bruberrie
Step inside this family-run York café for an afternoon tea featuring freshly brewed teas, delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, and an assortment of pastries and cakes. ‘Indulge in this charming tradition and savour every bite in a cosy and inviting atmosphere,’ says the Bruberrie team. ‘Experience our unique take on the timeless tradition of afternoon tea. We’ve added our own twist to delight your senses.’ Choose from the Traditional Afternoon Tea (£21.50pp), Champagne Afternoon Tea, or the Bruberrie Signature. The café says its afternoon tea experience is all about ‘fresh flavours, beautiful presentation and a cosy, relaxed setting’. Located near Micklegate Bar, a stop at Bruberrie is one to add to your York itinerary.
bruberrie.co.uk
Mama Doreen’s
Located in the heart of Harrogate, Mama Doreen’s afternoon tea offering is impressive, featuring a wide array of mouthwatering savoury delights and sweet treats. It’s an ideal spot for family gatherings, with options to suit all ages and appetites. Alongside the Traditional Afternoon Tea (£27.95pp), Mama Doreen’s also offers a Senior Citizens’ Afternoon Tea and a Children’s Afternoon Tea. Meanwhile, the Tipsy Teapot Afternoon Tea is available from 3pm every day and includes boundless teapot cocktails or Prosecco for 90 minutes (over-18s only). It’s also worth keeping an eye out for Mama Doreen’s deluxe offering – afternoon tea with special themes. A takeaway option is also available.
mamadoreensemporium.co.uk
Hebden Bridge Cruises
Head to Hebden Bridge for a relaxing canal boat journey along the Rochdale Canal, complete with afternoon tea. If the combination of scenery and a sweet treat is your ideal day out, this 50-minute cruise is the perfect opportunity to enjoy both in a picturesque corner of the county. These journeys are run by Hebden Bridge Cruises – you can tuck into a home-made scone with fresh cream and strawberry jam, complemented by a pot of Yorkshire Tea served in vintage China (£20pp) or upgrade to a full afternoon tea with a selection of sandwiches and homemade cakes (£35pp). Once your canal journey is complete, take some time to explore the surrounding area. You’ll be ideally located to head to either Hebden Bridge or Todmorden town centres.
hebdenbridgecruises.com
Time for cake
If cake is your reward for a ramble, then Julie Dodsworth’s book is perfect reading material. Called, appropriately enough, Lovely walks that end with coffee and cake in Yorkshire, it is a beautifully illustrated guide to tasty tea rooms and strolls in pretty parts of our county, painted and tasted by Julie. Julie’s walks are featured in Yorkshire Life every month and are manageable distances with points of interest along the route. She will guide you to recommended cafés and tea rooms off the beaten track where you can rest up or mark them as an end point for a restorative cake break. In market towns and villages she stops off at places such as Helmsley’s Number 12. The book is £12.99 with 20 per cent off for Yorkshire Life readers with code CAKE20.
countrysidebooks.co.uk
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