When you fancy something sweet, elegant and indulgent, what could be better than afternoon tea at one of the many great tearooms and hotels in Suffolk. But where to go for that sweet, indulgent treat? From country house hotels to chilled out coffee shops, we pick 16 places in Suffolk worth a visit.
1. Salthouse Harbour Hotel
Head to this boutique hotel in Ipswich’s vibrant Harbour quayside for an afternoon tea from the 2 AA Rosette restaurant. Relax on the waterfront and sip a choice of luxury teas from around the world, before you tuck into a selection of sandwiches, earl grey scones with jam and amaretto cream, and a selection of cakes. Afternoon tea is available daily between 2.30pm and 5.00pm and 3 packages are available to suit every need.
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2. The Cookhouse Restaurant
Situated in Suffolk Food Hall, in Wherstead, this restaurant offers beautiful panoramic views and Afternoon Tea served on a beautiful vintage cake stand. Serving includes three sandwiches, two savouries, two sweets and unlimited tea all. Afternoon Tea is available from 3pm to 5pm and costs £14.50 per person.
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3. The Swan at Lavenham
This 15th century hotel and spa sits in the heart of the beautiful medieval village of Lavenham. Choose from the Traditional Afternoon Tea - with a selection of freshly-baked cakes, pastries and finger sandwiches - or indulge in the ‘Lavenham High Tea’ that includes culinary treats - such as the Adnams Welsh rare bit with Suffolk chutney - followed by scones, cake and pastries with your choice of teas. Afternoon tea is served between 12.00pm and 5.00pm. Traditional Afternoon Tea, £22.50 per person. Lavenham High Tea, £26.50 per person.
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4. Alder Carr Farm
Browse the popular farm shop in Needham Market then head into the Barn Cafe for Afteroon Tea. Enjoy a freshly cut sandwich, served with a scone with jam and cream, or a piece of homemade cake, along with a pot of tea or a coffee. Afternoon Tea is served from 3pm and costs £8.25 per person.
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5. Hintlesham Hall
Over 400 years old, Hintlesham Hall is a Grade 1 Listed Country House in Hintlesham, Suffolk. Just 10 minutes drive from Ipswich, the tranquil property offers a traditional Afternoon Tea with a selection of finger sandwiches, homemade fruit scones with clotted cream and preserves, a variety of homemade cakes and a choice of tea, tisanes, coffee and luxury hot chocolates. Guests can also expect to find a chocolate éclair, fresh fruit tartlet and fruit cake adorning their tiered cake stands. The Traditional Afternoon Tea is served daily between 2pm and 5pm and costs £18 per person.
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6. Maison Talbooth
Find the luxury country house hotel on the Suffolk and Essex border, set amongst grounds that look out across Constable’s Countryside and the Dedham Vale. Guests can settle into the Garden Room and gaze out towards St. Mary’s Church as they sample the afternoon tea selection. Maison Talbooth offer a selection of sandwiches and buttermilk scones with jam and clotted cream, plus a changing menu of cakes which may include chocolate brownies, Battenberg, raspberry puffs with fresh cream or fruit cake. Afternoon Tea is served every day between 2pm and 6pm and costs £21.50 per person.
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7. Applaud Coffee
Set among the independent and artisan retailers of The Saints in Ipswich, Applaud Coffee is a great place to go for afternoon tea because it is right in the centre of town. Enjoy a pot of tea or cup of coffee, served to your table with a selection of sandwiches and home-made cakes – always including a fruit scone with clotted cream and jam. Afternoon tea is served every day from 2pm and costs £12.50 per person.
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8. Tuddenham Mill
The sympathetic refurbishment of this traditional watermill makes it a little different to the average boutique hotel, with its cast iron water wheel and towering chimney. The afternoon tea is served with the traditional scone with jam and clotted cream, pretty pastries and delicate sandwiches – plus a variety of tea to choose from, ranging from organic earl grey to Himalayan Peak darjeeling. Afternoon tea is served Monday to Saturday between 2.30pm and 5pm and costs £18.50 per person.
See website for more details.
9. White Lion
Enjoy a relaxed Afternoon Tea at this stylish hotel, located on the Suffolk coast at Aldeburgh. Each month features a themed offering - eg Wimbledon Afternoon Tea in June - and tea includes a selection of finger sandwiches and pastries. Or you can opt for the Traditional Cream Tea which includes a scone, cream and strawberry jam, served with a pot of tea or coffee. Afternoon Tea is available between 3pm and 5pm and costs £15 per person. Traditional Cream Teas are served from 10am to 5pm and cost £5.50 per person.
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10. Stoke by Nayland Golf, Hotel and Spa
The family owned golf hotel and spa in Leavenheath, on the Suffolk border, boasts a 2 AA Rosette restaurant. Expect to find a sumptuous array of finger sandwiches, cakes, scones with clotted cream and freshly brewed tea or coffee. Afternoon Tea can be taken next to a roaring fire in the winter months or al fresco on the terrace when the sun is shining. £17.95 per person.
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11. Ufford Park Hotel, Golf & Spa
Located in the heart of Suffolk’s most beautiful, peaceful countryside, this hotel near Woodbridge is set 120 acres of historic parkland and offers the perfect relaxed environment for an indulgent afternoon tea. The menu features a variety of teas (or coffee) along with finger sandwiches, homemade sausage roll, warm fruit scone with tiptree strawberry preserve and clotted cream, chocolate cup filled with lemon posset, chocolate cupcakes and vanilla macarons. Afternoon Tea is served daily between 2pm and 5pm and costs £16.95 per person.
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12. Westleton Crown
The traditional Suffolk coaching inn on the Suffolk Heritage Coast, between Southwold and Aldeburgh, dates back to the 12th century. The Cream Tea comprises of a homemade scone with strawberry jam and vanilla cream, served with a sticky toffee pudding cake, shortbread and a choice of tea. Cream Teas are served between 3pm and 6pm and costs £6.85 per person.
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13. The Angel Hotel
This boutique hotel in the heart of Bury St Edmunds offers the perfect location to indulge after a day’s shopping. Take a seat and relax in the contemporary Eaterie Restaurant or Lounge and try the basic Cream Tea - a large scone with jam and Jersey cream - or choose the full Afternoon Tea which includes the Cream Tea, along with a selection of savoury delights and homemade cakes. Both packages offer your choice of teas from around the world. Afternoon Tea is available daily between 2.30pm and 4.30pm and costs £19.50 per person. The basic Cream Tea costs £7.95 per person.
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14. Milsoms Kesgrave Hall
A 20 minute drive from Ipswich, Kesgrave Hall is a 4 star boutique hotel set in the beautiful Suffolk countryside. Enjoy a delicious-looking selection of sandwiches, scones and cakes in the relaxed lounge or the outside terrace on a sunny day. Afternoon tea is served between 3pm and 5pm and costs £19.50 per person.
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15. Ravenwood Hall Hotel
Steeped in history with origins in the reign of Henry VIII, Ravenwood Hall is set in seven acres of secluded and tranquil countryside just outside Bury St Edmunds. It has been restored over the years but retains an ornate carved oak structure, Inglenook fireplaces and rare 15th century wall paintings. Relax by the log fire when chilly or sit in the gardens beneath the grape vine covered patio overlooking the swimming pool if the sun is shining. The Suffolk Cream Tea includes your choice of freshly brewed tea or coffee and traditional baked fruit scones with fruit Compote and Cornish clotted cream. Or opt for the Traditional Afternoon Tea which adds a selection of freshly made finger sandwiches and homemade fruit cake. Served between 2.30pm and 5pm, Suffolk Cream Teas are £7.95 per person and Traditional Afternoon Tea is £14.95 per person.
Visit website for details.
16. The Mill Hotel
Enjoy a quintessential Afternoon Tea in this converted water mill on the banks of the picturesque River Stour in Sudbury. Full Afternoon Tea features a selection of traditional finger sandwiches, homemade pastries with scones, clotted cream and Tiptree strawberry jam, all complemented by a choice of fine teas or coffee.
Visit the website for more details.
If we have missed out your favourite place to go for Afternoon Tea, let us know below.
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