Afternoon Tea in The Cotswolds: 20 Best Places (& The Price)
Looking for the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds? This blog covers 20 of my favourite places to enjoy it.
The Cotswolds is one of the most charming destinations in the UK – full of beautiful buildings, quaint villages, and rolling countryside.
Which makes it the perfect destination for afternoon tea. And the endless manor houses, tea rooms, and stately homes mean there’s plenty of choice when it comes to deciding where to have it.
Whether you fancy dining in a palace, or enjoying a laidback picnic, there’s something on this list for everyone.
Afternoon tea in The Cotswolds:
Here’s the 20 best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds, from traditional tearooms to luxury country houses!
1. Lucy’s Tearoom
Lucy’s Tearoom is found in a Grade II listed building is in the heart of Stow on the Wold, and it’s one of the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
This place is everything you’d expect from a traditional tearoom, with a cosy fireplace, wooden beams across the ceiling, and mismatched wooden furniture. It’s utterly charming.
Afternoon tea is served all day until 3:30pm and costs £17.50 per person. It’s presented on a classic tiered stand and includes a choice of finger sandwiches, including cheese and pickle, ham and mustard or cucumber and houmous.
You’ll also get a scone with strawberry jam and clotted cream, and your choice from the daily cake selection. It’s served with a pot of tea or coffee.
They’re dog friendly and even stock dog ice cream, so you’re furry friend doesn’t have to miss out on afternoon tea!
2. Huffkins
Huffkins is an award-winning bakery and tea room, with locations all around The Cotswolds. It was established in 1890 and has always been an independent, family-run business.
They have a dedicated afternoon tea menu and there’s plenty to choose from, whether you’re looking for a light bite or the full works.
The “classic afternoon tea for two” is £54.95 and includes a selection of sandwiches, cakes and scones, as with clotted cream & jam, and served with tea.
In the mood for a drink? Try the “celebration afternoon tea for two” for £69.95, which is a classic afternoon tea served with Prosecco or gin.
3. The Old Bakery Tea Room
The Old Bakery Tea Room offers one of the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds. Jackie & Alan have been running it since 2005 and have an unwavering commitment to quality.
Everything is freshly made on the premises, using quality ingredients sourced as locally as possible. Their aim is to “pay attention to all the little things which sadly get lost in the busyness of lives”.
Their approach to the tearoom is refreshing, encouraging guests to enjoy their food for as long as they like. Even in busy periods, they don’t usher people away to make room for the next sitting. And it’s reflected in their 5* Tripadvisor rating from over 1,100 reviews!
The Old Bakery Cream tea is £7.95 and includes 2 scones (baked fresh each day), a portion of Dorset Clotted Cream and a choice of traditional homemade strawberry jam or forest fruit jam Great, as well as a pot of tea.
4. Dormy House
Dormy House is a luxury hotel located on The Farncombe Estate, just a few minutes from the picturesque village of Broadway. And it’s one of the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
If you’re looking for a more luxurious afternoon tea, this is the perfect place to do it. It’s served between 2-4pm on weekends and costs £40 per person, and there’s a lot of food included.
You’ll get a pork & sage sausage roll, a selection of sandwiches including roast chicken, cheese & tomato chutney, smoked salmon & sour cream and beef & horseradish.
This afternoon tea also includes a selection of sweet treats – lemon meringue tart, pistachio and cherry macaroon, praline and caramel eclair, chocolate and clementine mousse, and fruit and plain scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream.
Plus, there’s a tea station with over 12 different types of tea to choose from.
Dormy House also has one of the best spa’s in The Cotswolds, so it’s the perfect place to combine an afternoon tea with a spa day.
5. Ellenborough Park
Ellenborough Park is a stunning manor house set within 90 acres of countryside, just a stones throw from Cheltenham.
Their afternoon tea is a twist on the classic, costs £35 per person, and is served between 2:00pm – 4:30pm daily.
You’ll get a selection of sandwiches, sausage rolls, an Italian pressed focaccia, a caramelised red onion & goats cheese quiche, as well as plain and fruit scones with cream and jam, and a selection of cakes and desserts. And of course, a choice of tea and coffee.
Coming with the family? They’ve even got a children’s afternoon tea for £17.50, including a selection of sandwiches, sausage rolls, scones, cakes, desserts and a milkshake.
6. The Painswick Hotel
The Painswick is one of the most beautiful places to stay in The Cotswolds, with a history dating back to the 18th century. It was built at the height of the wool trade before becoming a b&b in the 1950s.
Their “The George” afternoon tea is £20 and includes a scotch egg, a pork pie, a sandwich selection, freshly baked scone, and a cake.
There’s also a lighter cream tea called “The Cheeky” which is 2 freshly baked scones, cream and jam for £11.
They also have vegetarian and vegan afternoon tea available.
You can choose from a selection of teas and coffees, for an additional cost.
7. No.131
No 131 is a stunning boutique hotel in the hear of Cheltenham. Located on The Promenade in a stunning Georgian townhouse, locations don’t get much better than this for afternoon tea.
Their afternoon tea is one of the most affordable on this list, at £16 per person. You’ll get sandwiches, including coronation chicken, ham & mustard, egg & cress and smoked salmon & cream cheese, freshly baked scones, clotted cream and jam, plus cakes and macaroons.
For £26 per person you get can get the ‘Nyetimber Afternoon Tea’ – which is everything included in the traditional offering, plus a glass of sparkling wine.
For £27.50 they offer the ‘Cheeky afternoon G&Tea’ which includes a tea infused gin.
If you’re only in the mood for a light bite, go for the Cotswold Cream Tea for £9.95 – freshly baked scones, clotted cream & jam, plus a pot of tea or coffee.
8. Cowley Manor
Cowley Manor is a luxury hotel and spa set across 55 acres of countryside. The Grade II listed house is one of the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
The Experimental Group purchased the property last year, a brand famed for its quirky hotels across Europe. Their focus is on great food, beautiful design and approachable luxury, all of which they’ll be bringing to Cowley Manor.
Afternoon tea will be available to book from early July, when the hotel reopens.
9. The Lygon Arms
The Lygon Arms is a beautiful hotel packed with history, located in the heart of the idyllic village of Broadway. The hotel dates back to the 1300s, and has a whimsical vibe perfect for afternoon tea.
Their classic afternoon tea costs £35 per person, or you can upgrade to a Champagne afternoon tea for £50. You’ll get freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches and cakes.
There’s also a children’s afternoon tea for £17.50.
10. Blenheim Palace
For a special occasion, you can’t get much better than afternoon tea at Blenheim Palace. It’s over 300 years old and packed full of history, including being the birthplace of Winston Churchill.
Afternoon tea is served in their glass restaurant – Clementine’s on the Lawn, offering amazing views over the gardens.
It costs £32 for adults and you’ll get a selection of sliders and finger sandwiches, a homemade scone, clotted cream and jam, plus a selection of cakes and sweet treats.
Children’s afternoon tea costs £16.
11. Lucknam Park
Lucknam Park is a stunning country house hotel set within a private 500 acre estate. This 18th century mansion is the perfect backdrop for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
They serve afternoon tea from Monday to Sunday 1:30pm – 3:30pm and it costs £44.
Included is a selection of sandwiches, warm homemade scones with cream and jam, patisserie made by the pastry chef, and your choice of leaf tea or coffee. You can also add a glass of Joseph Perrier Champagne with their ‘Champagne Afternoon Tea’ that costs £62.
If you’re coming with the family, the children’s afternoon tea is £22 and includes a selection of sandwiches, a sausage roll, doughnuts, a brownie or a cup cake, scones with nutella or jam and a choice of tea, juice or hot chocolate.
12. Highgrove House
Afternoon tea in The Cotswolds doesn’t get much more luxurious than this. Highgrove House is the private residence of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla, set amongst 900 acres.
Their champagne tea and garden tour is the most luxurious on the list, costing £85 per person. But it’s a unique opportunity to see the grounds of a Royal residence.
You’ll get a 30 minute tour of Highgrove Gardens, including the award-winning Carpet Garden.
After the tour, you’ll enjoy afternoon tea in The Orchard Room. The menu includes a selection of sandwiches, a sausage roll, a freshly baked fruit scone with clotted cream and jam and the chef’s selection of cakes & traybakes. It’s served with tea or freshly brewed coffee.
13. Tisanes Tearooms
Tisanes Tearooms is one of the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds. It’s a traditional tea room located in a stunning 17th century building in popular Broadway.
Afternoon tea costs £16 and is served every day from 12pm – 4:30pm. Included is freshly prepared sandwiches, a scone with jam and cream, a slice of cake and coffee or tea in a pot.
There’s also a beautiful garden area that’s open in spring and summer, and the perfect place to enjoy your afternoon tea in the sun.
14. Charingworth Manor
Charingworth Manor is a luxury manor house and hotel located in the village of Charingworth. The 14th century building is the perfect location for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
Their classic cream tea costs includes homemade scones, with jam, cream and butter. The deluxe afternoon tea includes finger sandwiches, a scone with jam, clotted cream and butter and a selection of chef’s homemade treats.
They also offer a champagne afternoon tea which comes with fresh strawberries and chocolate sauce, and a glass of Lanson Père & Fils Brut champagne.
Unlike other places on this list, unlimited tea or coffee of your choice is included in the price.
15. Once Upon a Tea Room
Once Upon a Tea Room is a charming tea room located in Cheltenham, just a short stroll from the idyllic Pittville Park.
Their afternoon tea is £24.95 and includes sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, a selection of desserts and a hot or cold soft drink. The tea is unlimited.
Children’s afternoon tea is £15.95 and includes sandwiches, a small scone, a slice of victoria sponge and a brownie.
They also offer something completely unique – ‘Crafternoon tea’ where you can decorate your own biscuits or cupcakes whilst enjoying afternoon tea.
16. Burleigh Court
Burleigh Court is a boutique manor house hotel overlooking the Golden Valley, and one of the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
They offer 3 types of afternoon tea (traditional, vegan and gluten free). They’re all £22 and include coffee and tea, scones with cream and jam, a cake selection, and savoury treats.
You can also upgrade your drink to prosecco or champagne from £6 per glass.
17. Buckland Manor
Buckland Manor is a country house hotel just a short drive from Broadway. It’s an idyllic setting, and one of the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
Their afternoon tea is served in one of the lounges or on the terrace when the weather allows, and there’s different options to suit every budget.
The ‘Buckland Manor cream tea’ is £20.50 and includes a choice of tea or coffee, fruit and plain scones, jam and clotted cream.
The ‘full afternoon tea’ is £35 and comes with a choice of tea or coffee, scones, jam, clotted cream, sweet treats and cakes, a savoury snack, and a sandwich selection.
You can also treat yourself to a ‘Champagne afternoon tea’ for £49.50 which comes with a chilled glass of Champagne.
Buckland Manor also offer the option to have your afternoon tea in a hamper, which you can enjoy amongst the grounds.
18. Barnsley House
Barnsley House is a luxury spa hotel located just a 10 minute drive from Cirencester, and it’s one of the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
Their Champagne afternoon tea comes with a selection of savouries, cakes, tea or coffee and a glass of Champagne. It costs £49 per person and can be enjoyed in front of the fire in one of the lounges, in the restaurant or on the terrace.
Barnsley House is also one of the best spa hotels in The Cotswolds, so you could combine your afternoon tea with a visit. There’s an outdoor hydrotherapy pool with views across the countryside, as well as a variety of treatments on offer.
19. Whatley Manor
Whatley Manor is a luxury hotel set amongst 12 acres of gardens in the Wiltshire countryside.
A tree-lined driveway leads you down to a beautiful country house, the ideal setting for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
They serve afternoon tea Wednesday-Sunday from 2:00pm in the Garden Room, Drawing Room, or on one of the terraces.
It costs £37.50 per person and includes finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and a savoury selection. There’s a dedicated tea menu to compliment the food, or you can add a glass of sparkling wine for an additional cost.
20. The Slaughters Country Inn
The Slaughters Country Inn is one of the best places for afternoon tea in The Cotswolds. It’s located in the picturesque village of Lower Slaughter, on the banks of the River Eye.
They offer 3 choices for afternoon tea – cream tea, full afternoon tea and a champagne full afternoon tea.
The cream tea is £15.25 and comes with tea or coffee, scones and clotted cream and jam. The full afternoon tea is £23.95 and comes with tea or coffee, scones, cakes and a selection of finger sandwiches.
The champagne afternoon tea is £37 and comes with a glass of champagne, as well as everything included in the full afternoon tea.
They also offer their afternoon tea in a hamper, which costs £47.90 for two and allows you to enjoy it wherever you’d like.
The wrap up: Afternoon tea in The Cotswolds
Whether you’re looking for a luxury experience or a more traditional offering, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to afternoon tea in The Cotswolds.
From quaint family-run tearooms to grand country houses, there’s something here for everyone to enjoy!
There’s so many options to choose from that no matter your budget, you’ll find the perfect afternoon tea for you.
