Afternoon Tea Experiences in Yorkshire

Afternoon Tea Experiences in Yorkshire

A ‘nice cup of tea’ along with a delicious treat or two is the answer to almost anything. Celebrating a special birthday? Planning a relaxed catch up with an old friend… maybe arranging a romantic outing? Fed up of the weather and need cheering up? Afternoon tea adds a sense of occasion to any occasion. It’s the perfect pick-me-up. No wonder it’s also known as high tea!

The afternoon tea tradition started as a whimsical idea of Anna, 7th Duchess of Bedford, a friend of Queen Victoria back in the 19th century but this typically British custom is still going strong.  The classic afternoon tea ceremony usually involves sipping tea from bone china cups, with dainty sandwiches, fresh scones or cakes served up on pretty plates with white linen napkins.

In our quest to find the best places in Yorkshire for afternoon tea (hard work, but someone had to do it!) we found some 5-star afternoon tea venues and a couple of places offering unusual twists on the tradition…

A hidden gem in the city of York, Plush café offers 3 themed dining rooms including a ‘Garden Room’ with swing seats, an art dec inspired ‘Neon Room’ and a luxurious, cushion filled ‘Bohemian Room’. They serve over-the-top cakes and treats and cater for vegan, vegetarian and gluten free diets in their quirky, Instagram-worthy Afternoon Tea.

The Brownie Barn - The Ultimate Mother’s Day Gift Experience in Yorkshire

Discover the Brownie Barn in the Yorkshire Dales and enjoy a Sparkling Afternoon Tea for two. In the summer months dine on the outdoor terrace and take in the beautiful view, or if its chilly outside cosy up inside the Brownie Barn with cushions, blankets and grab a seat next to their wood burning stove. Afternoon tea includes a range of savoury snacks and sandwiches, scones, cakes and of course their famous, award winning brownies baked on site by Love Brownies all washed down with a glass of bubbly.

In laid-back Leeds, we have a super-relaxing late afternoon tea at the Lazy Lounge, one of the city’s premier gin bars. Substituting tea for a china teapot of heavenly Gin Punch, served in teacups, and a small array of cakes and sandwiches, sink into one of their Chesterfield sofas and just soak up the quirky atmosphere. The punch combines Hendricks gin with Sauvignon Blanc, elderflower syrup and tonic, fresh strawberries, cucumber and mint. This is a great option for a get-together with a group of 2 or more friends but make the most of the shops before you go… you might find the afternoon stretches into the evening! Lazy Lounge serve their Afternoon Tea with Gin Punch for 2 to 4 people at £28.

Afternoon Tea at the Spirit of Yorkshire Whisky Distillery

Head to the coast, to Yorkshire’s first single malt whisky distillery. In the sleepy coastal village of Hunmanby, just a short walk from the wonderful beach of Filey bay, you can take afternoon tea in the unusual setting of the Spirit of Yorkshire whisky distillery. The Pot Still café here is beautifully lit and designed with large windows looking out on the enormous, shiny copper stills of the distillery, below. It’s a quirky setting for a fine Yorkshire afternoon tea of sandwiches, freshly baked scones and cakes with your favourite tea or coffee. It makes an ideal reward after an exhilarating walk along the beach, or maybe above the cliffs at the nearby Bempton RSPB bird sanctuary. Afternoon Tea at the Spirit of Yorkshire Distillery is £18 per person.

Vineyard tour and tasting with afternoon tea

Afternoon tea in a vineyard (we think it’s a great combination too!) Yorkshire Heart is an award-winning wine producer of white, red and rosé wines. An afternoon tea experience here starts with a taste of their award-winning sparkling wine, and a talk by the enthusiastic owners on the story behind Yorkshire Heart and their wine making process. You then get to sample a selection of their wines, along with light refreshments, before settling down into the warm atmosphere and stunning setting of their vineyard visitor centre for afternoon tea. The vineyard is based off the A59 between York and Knaresbrough, another intriguing and unique Yorkshire town, and around 15 minutes’ drive from York. A Tour of the Yorkshire Heart Vineyard followed by Afternoon Tea is £40 per person.

View our full range of Afternoon Tea Experiences in Yorkshire HERE