Top 5 places for Afternoon Tea in the South Lakes

Fancy afternoon tea anyone ?

 

Lakeside Hotel

Served 12pm – 6pm

The Lakeside Hotel is situated right on the shore on the west side of Lake Windermere and afternoon tea is served in their conservatory – or if possible, and the weather compliant – outside as well.  They offer a traditional afternoon tea, gluten free and now an increasingly popular vegan afternoon tea.

Spoiler! New afternoon teas being added this spring include a SWEET afternoon tea (think all things delicious, fabulous, amazingly designed and created…oh, and splendidly tasty by the way) including the option of a SAVOURY afternoon tea (for all those who love nothing more than a pork pie – although, I imagine it will taste nothing like you’ve eaten before and probably look far too spectacular to be even considered a pork pie).

So, in short Lakeside’s afternoon tea has to be the ‘crème de la crème’ of afternoon teas in the Lakes.

Whether you are staying with us to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or special occasion or you have made time for a trip away I would not miss booking in an afternoon tea at Lakeside (just across the water from Park Cliffe as well!) If you manage to make it up Moorhow (the hill behind the site) after having enjoyed afternoon tea you will be able to see Lakeside from the top!

If you’re not able to make it to the Lakes but you know someone who is you can also purchase a voucher for them as a gift. Afternoon tea for 2 people is £64.

https://www.lakesidehotel.co.uk/food/dining-choices/afternoon-tea/

 

The Swan Hotel, Newby Bridge

The Swan Hotel is on the shore of Lake Windermere as well and is renowned for it’s amazing interior design. The décor inside ranges from brightly coloured and quite distinctive sofas upon walking through the front door to a pink pool table (understated to say the least…) to their more smart casual pub dining setting and formal dining room needless to say that is accompanied with a considerable number of pink chairs – and flamingos perhaps, I can’t quite remember – I digress: the décor in all the separate areas of the hotel is all unique and quite contrasting, but I can be sure that you’ll find somewhere that is to your taste.

The Swan offers a traditional afternoon tea at £15, veg patch afternoon tea (includes prosecco with gin & rhubarb syrup) at £23.50 and a potting shed tea & G (includes a Hendricks Gin , bespoke green tea syrup and basil) at £25. I mean needless to say ‘The Swan’ will certainly make it on to my top 5 places to catch a Gin when you’re in the Lakes.

https://www.swanhotel.com/restaurants/

 

Storrs Hall Hotel
Served 12.30pm-4.30pm

Storrs Hall is a historic house and grade 2 listed Georgian Mansion house set right on the east shore of Lake Windermere. The hall was built in the 1970s and some of the earliest guests were the romantic poets, William Wordworth and Robert Southey. The romantic architecture and natural environment combined really makes Storrs Hall the unique and prominent building it is and reflecting that, it delivers an equally traditional afternoon tea.

Afternoon tea (per person) – £17

Prosecco afternoon tea (per person)  – £23

Champagne afternoon tea (per person)  – £28

https://www.storrshall.com/eat-drink/afternoon-tea/

 

Hillthwaite House Hotel

With a variety of settings you can have your afternoon tea on the patio, at a bay window or in a private booth and indulge in a savoury spread of sandwiches and scones with preserves sourced locally in the Lakes amongst mini pastries and desserts. Hillthwaite House also offer a ‘gentleman’s tea’ so you can book the perfect ‘His and Hers’ option.

Hillthwaite is located in between the towns of Bowness and Windermere with spectacular views of Lake Windermere and the fells escaping the business of attractions and events happening down and below. Escape to Hillthwaite, explore their private grounds and gardens taking an afternoon to relax for yourself.

https://www.hillthwaite.com/food-drink/

https://www.hillthwaite.com/uploads/webpage-documents/b7edb69f-c0e5-4d47-a0a0-a755e2c87df0/Download%20Our%20Menus/Afternoon%20Tea%20Menu.pdf

 

The Hazelmere Café, Grange

Hazelmere Café’s multi-award winning afternoon teas are local enough and within a more affordable price range that permanent residents throughout Cumbria are quite familiar not only with their bakery but delicious afternoon teas! Based on the main street in Grange just across the duck pond (with the ducks who delight in being fed), the gardens and the railway track before you can see the sea in the distance.

Hazelmere traditional afternoon tea (per person) – £14.95

Sharing winter afternoon tea (for two people) – £28.95

Vegetarian winter afternoon tea (for two people) – £28.95

Cumbrian cream tea (per person) – £5.95

Children’s Peter Rabbit afternoon tea (per person)  – £7.95

http://thehazelmere.co.uk/dining-hazelmere/sample-daytime-menu/

 

Header photo credit: Dave Willis, Cumbria Media Library