Afternoon tea is one of the nation's favourite meals and is perfect for people looking to get out and socialise over a bite to eat.

Luckily for those of us in Suffolk, we don't need to look very far to satisfy our need for small sandwiches and sweet treats.

Here are five unique afternoon tea experiences across the county...

1. Ivy House Country Hotel, Oulton Broad

 

At the Ivy House Country Hotel, guests are in for a treat when they are presented with an impressive platter of sweet and savoury goodies.

Eating in the Crooked Barn restaurant, the mix of exposed beams and red brick makes for the picture-perfect afternoon tea experience well deserving of an Instagram post.

2. The Ickworth Hotel, Bury St Edmunds

Afternoon tea at the Ickworth Hotel sets the imagination racing with the Matilda-themed offering.

Finally, adults and children alike can fulfill their dreams of tasting the 'Bruce Bogtrotter' chocolate cake.

3. Blitz 1940s Tea Room, Ipswich

Stowmarket Mercury: Adam Gray and Clive Driver, owners of The Blitz 1940's Tea Rooms in St Peter's Street in Ipswich.Adam Gray and Clive Driver, owners of The Blitz 1940's Tea Rooms in St Peter's Street in Ipswich. (Image: Newsquest)

Take a step back in time for this afternoon tea experience in Ipswich.

At The Blitz 1940s Tea Room, Britain's wartime past is brought to life once again and the towers of scones and sandwiches are just as impressive as the decor.

READ MORE: Britain's poshest train bringning champagne afternoon tea to Suffolk.

4. Seckford Hall Hotel, Woodbridge

Eating at Seckford Hall Hotel feels like you've walked into a film set or somehow become a main character in a Jane Austen novel.

It is the perfect place to go for the most enthusiastic afternoon tea lovers, with the 'supreme' option including a huge offering of goodies.

5. The Swan, Southwold

Stowmarket Mercury: Saffron aranciniSaffron arancini (Image: Newsquest)

Presentation is everything at The Swan in Southwold, with copper pans and tiny fish and chips the sort of small details that make a big impression.

Our reviewer was left feeling "utterly pampered" after this experience.