Best Afternoon Teas in the British Isles
Are you looking for inspiration for where to go for the best of British afternoon teas? Here at Noble Isle we love the great British tradition of afternoon tea so much that it inspired us to create our best-selling Tea Rose collection.
Dating back to the 1830s, the invention of the ritual of afternoon tea has been credited to the Duchess of Bedford, a lifelong friend and Lady of the Bedchamber to Queen Victoria. Almost 200 years later, this indulgent tradition has been elevated to an art form by the best hotels in the British Isles. Here we’ve shared some of our favourite places to enjoy this treasured tradition.
Five Star Luxury in the Capital
The May Fair has been welcoming guests to one of London’s most sophisticated areas since 1927. Their afternoon tea, created in collaboration with luxury chocolatier Charbonnel et Walker, is one of the most decadent in London.
The May Fair Hotel Afternoon Tea
Laid Back Luxury
Inspired by W.H. Auden’s cry for ‘more champagne!’, the afternoon tea at The Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland, Northumberland, perfectly complements the hotel’s magical setting. You can walk off the buttermilk scones with strawberry and rhubarb jam in the breathtaking North Pennines landscape before returning to relax by a roaring fire.
The Lord Crewe Arms Afternoon Tea
Lavish Treats and Live Music
Close to the historic city of Chester, Carden Park offers traditional afternoon tea in a choice of two elegant lounges. In the opulent Goldie’s Lounge, your afternoon tea will be accompanied by Carden Park’s in-house pianist. After tea you can marvel at Carden’s art and sculpture garden, take a tour of the vineyard or relax at the award-winning spa.
Carden Park Afternoon Tea
Tea by the Fire
At Ellenborourgh Park in the Cotswolds near Cheltenham, you can take your pick from homemade infusions of hot ginger, fresh mint, loose leaf teas or coffees before tucking into a sumptuous selection of sandwiches, savouries, cakes and scones. After tea you can take in the views from the Hotel and Spa’s vantage point between the highest point of the Cotswolds and Cheltenham Racecourse, enjoy the newly renovated outdoor pool or take a walk around the 90 acres of glorious grounds.
Ellenborough Park Afternoon Tea
A Floating Extravaganza
Voted Tripadvisor’s number 1 UK luxury hotel and Tripadvisor’s number 1 small and boutique hotel, the floating Fingal Hotel in Edinburgh offers afternoon tea in elegant art deco surroundings. You can explore the menu here.
The Fingal Afternoon Tea
Our Tea Rose fragrance, steeped in Black Tea Leaves and English Rose Petals and then blended with refreshing notes of Bergamot, Clary Sage and Jasmine, has a pure and charming scent with all of the finesse and grace of the best afternoon teas. You can discover our Tea Rose Collection here.
