Afternoon teas in the Cotswolds

The Cotswolds offers some fabulous locations to treat yourself to the English tradition of afternoon tea. If winter days are chilly, warm up with an indulgent tea in front of a cosy log fire in one of the Cotswolds’ finest manor houses. Or when days are delightfully warm, enjoy high tea on the lawn, surrounded by glorious gardens.

Afternoon tea at Barnsley House in the Cotswolds

Barnsley House, Cirencester

Relax in the gorgeous gardens for an indulgent, outdoor tea at Barnsley House. Or sneak inside to find a cosy corner. You can pick from a classic afternoon tea, a G & Tea or summery afternoon tea with Pimms.


Ellenborough Park, near Cheltenham

At luxurious Ellenborough Park, make yourself at home in the grand surroundings of the wood-panelled Great Hall. Select your favourite blend from the tea chest, before indulging in tasty finger sandwiches, scones and dainty cakes.


The Greenway Hotel and Spa, Cheltenham

Take afternoon tea in the lovely gardens or cosy interior of The Greenway, a country manor house hotel on the outskirts of Cheltenham. For a touch of further luxury, why not add a glass of fizz?


Blenheim Palace

Treat yourself to a quintessentially English afternoon tea in the stunning setting of Blenheim Palace’s Orangery. Choose from a traditional tea, the Marlborough Champagne Tea and the new Orangery Celebration Tea with Bubbles.


Highgrove House, Tetbury

For a taste of royalty, book onto a champagne tea and two-hour guided tour of the organic gardens at Highgrove House, home of HRH the Prince of Wales.


Lords of the Manor, Upper Slaughter

Pick from the loose leaf tea menu, while treating yourself to afternoon tea at the Michelin-starred Lords of the Manor. Relax in their beautiful gardens or in front of a log fire in the hotel’s lounge.


Mayfield House, near Malmesbury

Enjoy a traditional Cotswold cream tea in the lovely surroundings of Mayfield House, near the beautiful town of Malmesbury.


The Bay Tree Hotel, Burford

Relax and unwind with a delicious afternoon tea at The Bay Tree Hotel in Burford. Find a comfy corner of the Woolsack Bar or sink into an armchair by the open fire in the library and tuck in to a sumptuous cream tea.


The Painswick, Painswick

Enjoy the boutique-style interiors of The Painswick hotel, younger sister of Calcot Manor, where you can pick and mix your afternoon tea, choosing from a selection of savoury bites (such as homemade scotch eggs and pork pies) in addition to sweet treats. In warmer weather, enjoy the terrace overlooking Painswick valley.


Tewkesbury Park Hotel, near Tewkesbury

After a round of golf or a pampering spa treatment, savour finger sandwiches, warm fruit scones and a selection of cakes in the grounds of Tewkesbury Park Hotel, or warm up inside.


Hatton Court, near Painswick

Spoil yourself with a traditional afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, scones and homemade cakes at Hatton Court, a country hotel in Upton St Leonards, near Painswick.


The Well Walk Tea Room, Cheltenham

Indulge in afternoon tea at family run The Well Walk Tea Room. Dating from the 1790s it is one of the oldest shops in Cheltenham. All of the cakes, quiches, soups and scones are cooked by Isabelle, their master baker, who sources the best local ingredients.


Chipping Norton Tea Set

Enjoy a traditional English afternoon tea or a luxury Cotswolds tea served on vintage China at The Tea Set in Chipping Norton - a cafe dedicated to the art of the afternoon tea!

Saltridge Woods (Credit: Ken Long)