Where to go for Afternoon Tea in the North East and Yorkshire
The most British week of the year (and we're here for it)
THE CLEVELAND TONTINE
Served in the Morning Room, overlooking the Cleveland Hills, afternoon tea at The Cleveland Tontine is a sight to behold. The tempting treats here include sandwiches generously filled with ingredients such as Bleiker’s smoked salmon and cream cheese, freshly baked scones and pastries, along with an array of loose leaf teas. When the weather’s good, the hotel’s garden is the prime spot to unwind with this British tradition.
www.theclevelandtontine.com
BLACK SWAN
It’s all about tradition at the Black Swan – classic sandwiches such as cucumber with cream cheese and chive, scones lathered with homemade strawberry jam and thick clotted cream, a wide variety of cakes, and fragrant teas served in the finest bone china for the proper experience. Afternoon tea can be enjoyed in the Tearoom, Lounge and Cygnet Bar, or in the hotel’s walled garden on sunny days – we challenge you to turn down the option to add a glass of fizz.
www.blackswan-helmsley.co.uk
THE GRAND HOTEL
You’re spoilt for choice with five-star afternoon tea options at The Grand, all served up alongside views of the historic city walls of York. Our favourite things on the afternoon tea menu are the fennel and cranberry sausage rolls and striking raspberry cupcakes. You can upgrade to a Spa Afternoon Tea for a bit of added indulgence, or a Hendrick’s Tipsy
G&Tea for something a little stronger. The chefs can even whip up a Children’s Afternoon Tea with ham, jam and cheese sandwiches, plain scones and gingerbread men for the fussy eaters in your family.
www.thegrandyork.co.uk
LEWIS & COOPER
Lewis & Cooper’s 17th-century tearoom boasts views of the bustling market town of Northallerton, so it’s a great place to watch the world go by. Afternoon tea here includes their Classic offering with a choice of finger sandwiches, a scone with preserves, and a selection of sweet treats. If you’re marking a special occasion, we’d recommend upgrading to their Sparkling Afternoon Tea, which replaces your tea or coffee with a bottle of Prosecco.
www.lewisandcooper.co.uk
RUDDING PARK
Afternoon tea here is served in the hotel’s conservatory at the two AA star Rosette Clocktower, using ingredients from the kitchen garden and featuring decadent desserts such as rhubarb and gin pana cotta and chocolate and raspberry mousse. If you really want to pamper yourself, book a Spa Day with afternoon tea – relax with a 50-minute bespoke treatment before afternoon tea at Horto Café.
www.ruddingpark.co.uk
THE CAIRN HOTEL
This grand Victorian hotel is a charming location for a quintessentially British afternoon tea. Sink into an armchair and enjoy savouries made with local ingredients such as Wensleydale cheese, homemade scones and indulgent cakes, all washed down with a pot of tea (Yorkshire, of course). For something a bit different opt for their Low Tea – a practice started by Anna, the 7th Duchess of Bedford, who regularly enjoyed a light snack and tea with friends, served on low coffee tables.
www.strathmorehotels-thecairn.com
DULCIE BUTTERFLY
Decorated with floral patterns and pastel shades, this quirky vintage tearoom has traditional afternoon tea readily available throughout the week, although booking is recommended for larger groups. You can even treat the man in your life to an unconventional gentleman’s afternoon tea made up of half a pork pie, pickle, a scotch egg, crisps and a selection of cheese and biscuits, or arrange your very own themed tea party.
www.dulciebutterflyuk.com
ALDWARK MANOR
Surrounded by 120 acres of parkland, Aldwark Manor is a great place to while away an afternoon sampling culinary delights. Start with the sandwiches – egg and watercress, crab, prawn and spinach, salted cucumber with apple crème fraîche and poached chicken with coriander and lime mayonnaise, followed by scones served with Cornish clotted cream and red berry preserve, and strawberry and raspberry meringue tarts, mixed macaroons and lemon and poppy seed cake with lemon curd cream to finish
www.qhotels.co.uk
SOLBERGE HALL
At this idyllic Georgian mansion, it’s firmly believed that afternoon tea is one of life’s greatest joys, and that’s why they have three options on offer. The Deluxe Afternoon Tea comes with two dainty finger sandwiches, homemade fruit scones, and a selection of cakes and sweet treats made up of carrot cake, mini apple tarts, lime cheesecake and peach and champagne trifle. For something fancier, upgrade to Champagne Afternoon Tea, or experience a contemporary twist with their Picnic Bench Afternoon Tea – on a miniature picnic bench you’ll find all the usual delights, plus a gourmet sausage roll, sweet popcorn, vanilla fudge, and an ice cream milkshake.
www.classiclodges.co.uk
MANOR HOUSE LINDLEY
The stunning period features of this Grade II-listed Georgian manor house make it the perfect place for a refined afternoon tea. Following nine years working at The Ritz in London, the Head Pastry Chef crafts an exotic range of cakes and pastries including lime and mango macaroons, served either in the Clocktower Lounge or out on the tranquil terrace as part of a Full Afternoon Tea, Prosecco Afternoon Tea or Champagne Afternoon Tea.
www.manorhouselindley.co.uk
