Searching for the perfect locations to have afternoon tea within the Cotswolds? I bought you lined. You see, the second I began planning our week-long journey to the Cotswolds, the very first thing that got here to thoughts was afternoon tea!
It’s one of many must-dos when within the space, and when you’ve tried it, it’s straightforward to see why.
Think about taking a break after a busy morning exploring villages surrounded by lush views, yummy finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream, and naturally, a piping sizzling pot of tea.
Simply fascinated by it makes me wish to return to the Cotswolds!
Positive, you possibly can take pleasure in afternoon tea in lots of different areas throughout England. Nevertheless, the Cotswolds has a singular attraction, in addition to numerous luxurious inns and cafes, that make afternoon tea a should if you’re there.
Listed here are a few of the locations you possibly can head to for a memorable afternoon tea expertise within the Cotswolds.
Afternoon Tea Custom
The standard afternoon tea consists of a big selection of delicate finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and preserves, in addition to muffins and pastries. After all, tea might be served from teapots into fairly teacups!
You is perhaps questioning, how did the custom of afternoon tea come to be?
Whereas consuming tea has been a customized in England because the 1660s, the idea of afternoon tea is definitely pretty new. It was launched in 1840 by Anna, the seventh Duchess of Bedford.
The Duchess grew to become hungry at 4 o’clock within the afternoon however needed to wait for his or her night meal, which was sometimes served at eight o’clock at night time.
This left an extended hole between lunch and dinner. To battle off the starvation, the Duchess requested for a tray of tea, bread, butter, and cake to be delivered to her room throughout late afternoons. This late afternoon snack had turn out to be her behavior and he or she began inviting pals to affix her.
From there, afternoon tea remodeled into a modern social occasion, the place upper-class and society girls would put on lengthy robes, hats, and gloves to take pleasure in their afternoon tea. Usually served of their drawing rooms between 4 o’clock to 5 o’clock within the afternoon.
Quick ahead to right now, afternoon tea isn’t solely a classy social occasion for aristocrats, however an iconic a part of English delicacies. It’s additionally the most effective issues to do within the United Kingdom!
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Greatest Locations to Have Afternoon Tea within the Cotswolds
One week within the Cotswolds was not sufficient to take pleasure in as many afternoon teas, which is why I swear I’m coming again for extra quickly!
Let me share a few of my favourite locations to take pleasure in the perfect afternoon tea within the Cotswolds, in addition to extra locations really helpful by locals and fellow vacationers.
1. Lords of The Manor in Upper Slaughter
Lords of the Manor is probably the most spectacular manor home in Higher Slaughter, particularly if you go to in the course of the summer season season. Throughout this time, you possibly can take pleasure in your afternoon tea on the huge garden with the manor home as your view.
That stated, Lords of the Manor will be loved even in the course of the colder months when you possibly can heat as much as a sizzling cup of tea (or sizzling chocolate) and your favourite number of finger sandwiches and scones over a log hearth.
Be sure you strive their smoked salmon finger sandwiches and Grand Marnier Opera Gateau. They’re displayed on fancy-looking silver cake stands.
2. Charingworth Manor in Chipping Campden
Once I visited the Chipping Campden, one of many first locations I headed to was Charingworth Manor. It’s identified for its conventional afternoon teas and picturesque gardens full with rose bushes and lavender shrubs.
Really feel like royalty as you sip your espresso or tea and revel in all kinds of finger sandwiches. Should you’re handled to good climate, having fun with afternoon tea within the Cotswolds is without doubt one of the best outdoor activities in the UK.
My favourite a part of the expertise wasn’t solely my inexperienced, regal-like environment, however the selfmade muffins specifically chosen by the manor’s superb group.
Utilizing substances sourced from the village, their muffins are modified all 12 months spherical. Anticipate to get totally different flavors based mostly on the season and out there substances.
3. Ellenborough Park in Cheltenham
Ellennborough Park is a five-star historic resort within the Cotswolds, making it the most effective locations to have high-class afternoon tea in Cheltenham.
Not solely does Ellenborough Park have implausible views and a backyard to match, nevertheless it additionally affords extra flexibility in relation to afternoon tea.
You’ll be able to select from numerous teas and low. Nevertheless, if you’d like one thing totally different, there are cocktails or gin and tonics out there too.
Should you’re touring with household, you possibly can guide a mini afternoon tea made for youngsters to allow them to expertise luxurious and conventional afternoon tea too.
Another excuse why Ellenborough Park is a private favourite is the meals choice! From sausage rolls, quiches, finger sandwiches, scones, muffins, and different desserts, you’ll absolutely indulge and go away with a contented abdomen.
4. Tisanes Tea Rooms in Broadway
Should you’re staying in one among Broadway’s many luxurious cottages, then the most effective locations to spend afternoon tea is the Tisanes Tea Rooms.
Positioned inside a Seventeenth-century stone constructing, stepping inside is like taking a step again in time, with a captivating tea room and indulgent treats.
Can’t have gluten? The stunning employees of Tisanes Tea Rooms can accommodate your dietary wants, changing bread and scones with different gluten-free choices.
So, for those who’re on the lookout for a conventional tea room set in a Cotswold stone constructing, this quaint little tea store is for you.
5. Barnsley House in Barnsley, Cirencester
Barnsley Home is a Tudor manor home providing afternoon tea from their in-house restaurant, The Potager.
You’ll be able to take pleasure in their conventional and splendid afternoon tea with a pleasant backyard view because of their floor-to-ceiling home windows.
Should you’re planning to have afternoon tea in Barnsley House in the course of the summer season, you possibly can decide to have it within the backyard with their Pimm’s cream tea possibility.
Anticipate nothing however high-quality meals and drinks at this fine-dining restaurant. Their traditional afternoon tea options candy and savory choices like selfmade fruit scones, finger sandwiches, contemporary muffins, and your alternative of tea or espresso.
You’ll be able to even get a glass of champagne or gin and tonic! Not a fan of sweets? There are additionally different savory finger meals to bask in, corresponding to cheese scones, hen bakes, or sausage rolls.
6. Lucknam Park Hotel in Chippenham
Positioned simply outdoors of Bath, the Lucknam Park Lodge is a beautiful mansion providing luxurious afternoon tea, full along with your alternative of drink and freshly-made finger meals.
I additionally regard the Lucknam Park Hotel as the most effective cream teas in Tub because of their crispy, buttery, flaky scones that turn out to be tender within the middle. They go completely with clotted cream, alongside tea to raise the flavors.
7. The Manor House in Castle Combe
The Manor Home in Castle Combe affords afternoon tea which you can’t discover wherever else. Being a Seventeenth-century nation home resort surrounded by the Cotswolds Space of Excellent Pure Magnificence, all the pieces you see and contact feels magical no matter if you go.
Whereas I’m the kind who loves afternoon teas within the gardens throughout summer season, the superb employees of The Manor House exceeds expectations even throughout frosty days when it’s too chilly to remain outdoor.
You’ll be led into one among their plush drawing rooms with a log hearth ready to maintain you heat as you absorb views of the huge gardens and fountain.
There’s a nice number of ethically sourced Shibui teas and a 3-tier silver cake stand that includes traditional finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and jam.
It additionally contains muffins and pastries like Lemon Meringue Tarts and French macarons to finish your afternoon. The homey but luxurious ambiance makes me wish to return to the Manor Home many times.
8. Highgrove Gardens in Tetbury
You’ll be able to’t go to Tetbury with out experiencing Highgrove afternoon tea! The Highgrove Gardens is an impressive panorama backyard on a royal property, the place you possibly can reside out your Bridgerton goals (identical to I did).
In actual fact, the Highgrove is the personal dwelling of Their Royal Highnesses, The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Consort. As you stroll across the Highgrove Gardens, you get to see royalty up shut and private, with The Prince’s whimsical touches to his residence.
You may as well be a part of the Backyard Tour, the place you possibly can be taught all concerning the backyard’s historical past and sustainability.
Afterward, head over to The Orchard Room, the place the final word Champagne afternoon tea begins! Really feel like royalty as you sip on champagne and conventional refreshments, together with finger sandwiches, scones, and extra candy treats.
9. Blenheim Palace in Woodstock
If I needed to describe Blenheim Palace afternoon tea with only one phrase, it’s bought to be grand. You’ll be receiving luxurious therapy all through your afternoon, with stellar service and a chic ambiance that may’t be overwhelmed.
Feeling full after all of the Cotswold tea and meals? Stroll it out round Blenheim Palace, which is a whopping 11,500-acre property.
You’ll be able to spend a whole day roaming across the formal gardens and parks, surrounding your self with peace and nature after an indulgent and formal afternoon tea within the Cotswolds.
10. The Slaughters Manor House in Lower Slaughter
Searching for afternoon tea at a Decrease Slaughter manor? The Slaughters Manor House is a traditional Cotswold manor home with 5 acres of landscaped gardens able to be explored earlier than or after a beautiful afternoon tea.
You’ll be able to select to have your conventional afternoon tea within the bar, lounges, or gardens, climate allowing.
Wherever you select, you’ll expertise the grand British custom, as you’re served quite a lot of plain and fruit scones with clotted cream, totally different savory sandwiches, and tea or espresso.
Improve your afternoon tea with a glass of bubbly champagne, or get a day tea hamper to take pleasure in your tea and scones picnic fashion.
11. Cotswold House Hotel in Chipping Campden
The Cotswold Home Lodge afternoon tea expertise was a exceptional one, the place modernity meets custom.
With a big selection of loose-leaf teas served in regionally made teapots and Robert Welch silverware, in addition to a view of Cotswolds’ Excessive Streets, afternoons don’t get higher than this.
What’s so attention-grabbing is that the hotel can cater to each palate, together with vegans and people going gluten-free! There was no want to fret about dietary restrictions due to the good number of sweets and savories, all of which have been completely scrumptious.
Should you’re feeling further fancy, deal with your self to the glowing set, which features a mini bottle of Prosecco. After your afternoon tea, you possibly can head out to discover extra of the resort or take your R&R a bit additional with the spa remedies provided.
12. Whatley Manor Hotel in Malmesbury
The Whatley Manor Hotel takes afternoon tea to a complete new stage! Set in an 18th-century home, you possibly can both take pleasure in afternoon tea of their in-house restaurant or by the terrace surrounded by greens and floral blooms.
Indulge within the positive number of handcrafted treats and finger sandwiches paired with tea and glowing wine. With magnificence within the air all through your keep, gown your finest to really feel like royalty!
Additionally, ensure you put together your legs after tea as a result of it’s value exploring the 12 acres of Cotswolds gardens. Lastly, guide your afternoon tea beforehand, because the Whatley Manor Lodge doesn’t settle for walk-ins.
Conclusion of Afternoon Tea within the Cotswolds
There’ll at all times be someplace within the space to take pleasure in Cotswolds afternoon tea, whether or not you’re on the lookout for one thing homey and easy, or fancy and indulgent.
That being stated, if afternoon tea within the Cotswolds isn’t in your itinerary but, then that is your signal so as to add it. Be sure you go to a few of the locations I discussed for a memorable expertise along with your family members.
Afternoon tea is a quintessential a part of any journey to the Cotswolds, nevertheless it isn’t the one factor to do within the breathtaking villages.
Try our different article on what to do in Bourton on the Water, and be careful for upcoming journey guides concerning the Cotswolds so that you received’t catch your self reserving last-minute cottages and lacking out on key actions!
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