Afternoon tea is a quintessentially British tradition. Usually taken at lunchtime or early afternoon, afternoon tea consists of delicate sandwiches cut neatly into fingers, scones with jam and clotted cream, a selection of cakes and pastries and a pot of tea or coffee if you’d prefer. Here is a list of places where you can enjoy afternoon tea in Bedfordshire.
Woodland Manor Hotel
Green Ln, Clapham, Bedford MK41 6EP
Located in rural Bedfordshire, Woodland Manor is the ideal backdrop for a traditional afternoon tea. Inside this lovely Manor House, they serve tiers of plates filled with sandwiches, homemade cakes and scones, and side dishes of strawberry jam and clotted cream. You can also choose from a wide selection of teas, including Earl Grey, Assam, Darjeeling, breakfast, peppermint and fruit, and a decaffeinated option.
Serving times for Afternoon Tea are Thursday to Sunday, 12 noon – 3 pm (Pre-booking essential, 24-hour notice required)
Luton Hoo Hotel
https://www.lutonhoo.co.uk/afternoon-tea-luton-hoo-heart-bedfordshire The Mansion House, Luton LU1 3TQ
Afternoon Tea can be enjoyed at Luton Hoo in Luton in the regal setting of either lounge, including The Pillared Hall, Drawing Room, Wernher or Grinling Gibbons under chandeliers and in the comfort of period sofas and armchairs. Heavy silver cutlery, crisp white linen and fine bone china teacups make Afternoon Tea at Luton Hoo very special. The plates are filled with sandwiches, cakes and scones, with strawberry jam and clotted cream side dishes. There are a variety of blended teas from all over the world. To make the occasion extra special, why not opt to enjoy a Sparkling Wine Afternoon Tea?
Available seven days a week – 12 pm to 5 pm
Elstow Tea Garden
https://elstowteagarden.weebly.com/
209 Church End, Elstow, Bedford MK42 9XT
This venue is set in the garden of a typical English country cottage located in the ancient village of Elstow in Bedfordshire. The garden is very sheltered; if the weather is inclement, there are gazebos, marquees and a summerhouse. Afternoon tea includes a selection of sandwiches and savouries, scones with jam and cream, Danish pastries and petit four and tea or coffee.
Please visit the website for serving times
Bedford Swan Hotel – Anna’s Tea Room
The Embankment, Bedford MK40 1RW
At Anna’s Tea Room at the Bedford Swan Hotel, afternoon tea includes a pork and cider sausage roll, Parma ham, olive and cream cheese palmiers, Gruyere and onion scone, Hot smoked salmon and horseradish roulade and curried butternut squash soup. For the sweet side, there are plain and fruit scones with clotted cream and jam, Chocolate and cherry delice, dark chocolate and coffee panna cotta, macaron, lemon meringue tart and coconut ice.
Afternoon tea is served Monday to Saturday from 12 pm – 5.30 pm and Sunday 12 pm – 4.30 pm.
Ridgmont Station Vintage Tea Room and Heritage Centre
Station Rd, Ridgmont, Bedford MK43 0XP
Afternoon tea at Ridgmont Station Vintage Tea Room and Heritage Centre includes a selection of mini sandwiches, quiche, a scone with jam and clotted cream, mini sweet treats and homemade lemon posset. Served with tea or coffee. They also offer children’s afternoon tea.
Their Opening hours are Wednesday to Sunday – 10 am to 4 pm. Food is served 10 am to 3 pm.
Woburn Coffee House
21 Market Pl, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9PZ
Treat yourself to our delicious Afternoon Tea with all elements handcrafted by pastry chefs. It is served in the 16th Century old Restaurant, private White Room and Woburn Orangery. There are delicious savoury canapés, delicate pastries and exquisitely presented cakes – all served with a pot of tea of choice.
The Orangery has chandeliers, French mirrors and a Louis X1V fireplace, which add a light and stylish flourish to the room whilst overlooking the private walled garden.
Afternoon Tea is served only on Weekends and Friday afternoons with fixed sitting times. An Afternoon Tea sitting time lasts between two and two and half hours.
Slug & Lettuce
https://www.slugandlettuce.co.uk/bedford/experiences/afternoon-tea
53-55 High St, Bedford MK40 1SP
Afternoon tea at the Slug & Lettuce in Bedford is served in a beautiful bird cage with tasty treats. Indulge in one of three afternoon teas, offering tasty savouries alongside scones served with Tiptree strawberry jam, clotted cream and a range of delicious miniature desserts. There is a classic afternoon tea served with tea or coffee, a tipsy afternoon tea served with Prosecco and a Cocktails and Cakes afternoon tea.
Afternoon tea is available every day between 12 pm – 4.30 pm
If you have any afternoon tea recommendations in Bedfordshire, please share them with us in the comments.