7 of the best tea rooms in the UK

By the time the seventh Duchess of Bedford, a close friend of Queen Victoria, popularised afternoon tea in the 1840s, tea-taking was already beloved among the middle classes. Based on the Chinese cháguăn (‘tea house’) concept, tea salons evolved quickly, and before long the likes of Lyons and Fortnum & Mason opened tearooms that created the enduring appeal of bone china, classic interiors and a menu of finger food. Today, afternoon teas range from the traditional, with classic scones and sandwiches, to the more experimental, featuring anything from lavender eclairs to Japanese specialities. Here are seven of our favourites.

1. Badger’s Tea House, Alfriston

Back in the 1700s, before domestic ovens were an affordable option, villagers would come to this local bakery to make use of the shared oven. Today, this Sussex community bakery has been given the classic English tearoom treatment. Afternoon tea features seasonal sandwiches and freshly baked scones served on bone china, with Bird & Blend teas brewed in silver teapots (the gingerbread chai is a great option). There’s also a selection of homemade cakes available by the slice, and a range of filled croissants — try the kimchi and cheddar. 

2. Tu Hwnt i’r Bont, Llanrwst

This 15th-century, Grade II-listed riverside tearoom was originally built as a dwelling and later housed the Conwy Valley courtroom. Today, the exterior is entirely clad in icy, while inside you'll find high tea with a Welsh twist. Expect bara brith (spiced tea bread), Welsh cakes and scones with local cream. There’s also a champagne afternoon tea, as well as generously stuffed sandwiches including a ploughman’s roll, filled with honey-glazed ham, mature cheddar and farmhouse pickle.

3. Ramblers Retreat, Alton

This gatehouse within the Alton Towers Estate, in Staffordshire’s Dimmingsdale woods, was spared dereliction when it was rescued by Ramblers founders Gary and Margaret Keeling. Commissioned by the Earl of Shrewsbury in the 1800s, it’s now a place where walkers can refuel with award-winning bakes. As well as an afternoon tea featuring sausage rolls and mini scones, look out for ‘Maggie’s famous lemon meringue pie’ and a selection of homemade traybakes.

4. Mackintosh at the Willow, Glasgow

Architect Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s last surviving tearoom, on Sauchiehall Street, specialises in flavours inspired by his native Scotland. Order a main, such as the slow-braised Scottish featherblade of beef, or go for the Salon de Luxe afternoon tea, featuring a haggis bon bon, mini cheese quiche and treacle tart. Accompany it with whisky-infused tea.

5. Kibou, Cheltenham

The Japanese-inspired afternoon tea here features savoury dishes like salmon tataki with mango salsa, sea bream nigiri and prawn hosomaki (small sushi rolls), as well as desserts including custard dorayaki (soft, pancake-like sandwich biscuits) with a strawberry compote filling, and yuzu cheesecake tartlets. From the tea menu, opt for hojicha, a roasted green tea, or genmaicha, a green tea with toasted brown rice. Drinks include hand-whisked matcha, Junmai Tokubetsu sake and champagne.

6. The Orangery at Kensington Palace, London

Queen Anne commissioned this greenhouse in 1704 to protect her orange trees during winters. Today, it delivers opulent reinterpretations of afternoon tea classics, such as lavender eclairs and minted strawberry tarts, to tables in this smart but stylish space. Statues of female deities and ornate carvings by Dutch sculptor Grinling Gibbons complete the palatial scene.

7. Dysh Coffee and Kitchen, Sheffield

There are three afternoon tea options at Dysh — standard, vegan and vegetarian. Expect butter bean pâté and falafel sandwiches, comté cheese scones and salsa verde vol-au-vents, with a selection of sweet treats including a salted caramel chocolate tart and vanilla cheesecake with berry compote. Everything is handmade on-site and there are also delicious Sunday lunches available.