10 Afternoon Teas To Try in the Cotswolds

With its chocolate-box villages, honeyed cottages and rolling countryside, the Cotswolds is known for its quintessentially British feel. It’s the perfect spot for a weekend staycation, filled with cosy boltholes – and while you’re there, afternoon tea is a must. From tea rooms in the picture-perfect Stow-on-the-Wold to grand hotels in Broadway, these are the best afternoon teas in the Cotswolds.

10 Afternoon Teas in the Cotswolds

The Lygon Arms, Broadway

One of the country’s most historic hotels, The Lygon Arms has been around for hundreds of years, hosting a string of famous faces from Oliver Cromwell to the late Prince Philip. It’s looking sleeker than ever under the helm of Iconic Luxury Hotels, with plenty of nooks and corners where you can cosy up and enjoy a traditional afternoon tea. You’ll be served a classic spread of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and cakes, paired with tea and optional champagne, with a separate menu available for children.

Price: £35pp or £50pp with champagne, £17.50pp for children

Availability: Daily

Address: High St, Broadway WR12 7DU

BOOK: lygonarmshotel.co.uk

Lucy’s Tearoom, Stow-on-the-Wold

This charming tea room is nestled within the idyllic Stow-on-the-Wold, housed in a 300-year-old building right on the market square. Nab a seat by the bay window or in the courtyard if the weather’s playing ball, and tuck into a very reasonably priced afternoon tea (just £17.50pp). Enjoy an array of finger sandwiches, scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream, and your choice from the cake selection, alongside tea or coffee. The perfect pitstop after a day of exploring the shops and galleries of Stow-on-the-Wold.

Price: £18pp

Availability: Daily until 3.30pm

Address: The Square, Market Square, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham GL54 1AB

BOOK: lucystearoomstow.com

Rixy’s Cotswold Tearoom, Moreton-in-Marsh

After a morning spent exploring The Moreton Gallery, head for afternoon tea at Rixy’s Cotswold Tearoom, a friendly family-run cafe housed in a Grade II listed building. Begin with sandwiches of egg mayonnaise and chive, smoked salmon and cucumber, and ham and tomato, plus homemade savoury snacks like red onion and cheddar quiche, and sausage rolls. Follow with scones and classic pastries including Bakewell tart, chocolate brownie and lemon drizzle cake.

Price: £21.50pp

Availability: Monday 12 – 3pm, Thursday – Saturday 12pm – 3pm and Sunday 12 – 2.30pm

Address: 4 High St, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0AH

BOOK: rixyscotswoldtearoom.co.uk

Dormy House, Broadway

Located just minutes from Broadway, Dormy House is the epitome of Cotswolds chic: think roaring fires and farmhouse-style interiors, with an excellent spa. Afternoon tea is served in the relaxed Back Garden restaurant, and offers a modern twist on the classic tradition. Begin with pork and sausage rolls, and sandwiches of roast chicken with lettuce and tomato, and beef with watercress and horseradish, followed by delectable sweet treats such as chocolate and clementine mousse, lemon meringue tart, and pistachio and cherry macaroon. There’s also a dedicated tea station, plus the option to add a glass of Bollinger.

Price: £40pp

Availability: Saturday and Sunday, 2 – 4pm

Address: Dormy House Hotel, Willersey Hill, Broadway, WR12 7LF

BOOK: dormyhouse.co.uk

Wild Thyme & Honey, Cirencester

Picture a classic Cotswolds inn, and no doubt it will look something like Wild Thyme & Honey, a boutique hotel in the picturesque village of Ampney Crucis. Alongside the 24 dreamy bedrooms, it’s home to a pub, The Crown, which serves an impressive afternoon tea. On the savoury side there’s sandwiches of heritage tomato and avocado, and roast British beef and grain mustard, alongside sweet treats of red velvet cake, chocolate eclairs and more. One for the tea lovers, you can sip bottomless cuppas, and add a glass (or bottle) of prosecco, champagne or a non-alcoholic alternative.

Price: £24.95pp

Availability: Monday – Saturday, 12 – 5pm

Address: Ampney Crucis, Cirencester GL7 5RS

BOOK: crownampneybrook.co.uk

The Kitchen, Stroud

Keen for a spot of afternoon tea in Minchinhampton? Your best bet is The Kitchen, a cafe now run by local couple Peter and Assumpta Golding. Set up camp by the bay window to watch the world go by as you’re treated to an afternoon tea spread featuring sandwiches, freshly baked scones and homemade pastries. Advance booking is required, so make sure to plan ahead.

Price: Get in touch for prices

Availability: Daily

Address: 7 High St, Minchinhampton, Stroud GL6 9BN

BOOK: thekitchenminch.co.uk

Ellenborough Park, Cheltenham

One of the most prestigious hotels in the Cotswolds, Ellenborough Park offers five-star country hotel glamour in swathes. With 90 acres of grounds, as well as a spa and wide array of activities on offer, you could easily spend a weekend here without leaving – particularly as the food is so good. The hotel serves one of the best afternoon teas in the Cotswolds, featuring classic sandwiches of egg and cress, and cucumber and cream cheese, plus pork sausage rolls, tomato and mozzarella quiche, and Welsh rarebit with apple and chutney. The savoury spread is followed by scones and a selection of miniature cakes and desserts. Alongside the tea, be sure to try one of the special cocktails or G&Ts – the Lady Ellenborough, for instance, is a refreshing blend of gin, cucumber and prosecco. A separate children’s menu is also available.

Price: From £37pp

Availability: Daily from 2 – 4.30pm

Address: Southam Ln, Cheltenham GL52 3NJ

BOOK: ellenboroughpark.com

The Painswick, Stroud

Perched high on a hilltop overlooking the Slad Valley, The Painswick hotel offers beautiful views of the Cotswolds countryside. But that’s not the only reason to go: it’s also a foodie hotspot. The restaurant is headed up by chef Jamie McCallum, and serves a number of different afternoon tea options which you can enjoy either on the lawn, in the dining room or by the fire. The George Full Afternoon Tea includes a scotch egg, sandwiches, scones and cake of the day, while The Cheeky Cream Tea keeps it simple with scones and tea. There are also veggie and vegan alternatives, and whichever one you go for you can choose to add a glass of fizz or a cocktail.

Price: From £13pp

Availability: Monday – Saturday, 12 – 3.30pm

Address: Kemps Ln, Painswick, Stroud GL6 6YB

BOOK: thepainswick.co.uk

Old Bakery Tea Room, Stow-On-The-Wold

This long-standing tea room in Stow-on-the-Wold has been run by Jackie and Alan since 2005, and it has a welcoming, homely feel. Over the years, they have perfected the art of cream tea: Jackie has been whizzing up the same scone recipe for over three decades, and jams are made on the premises, then served with clotted cream from Blackmore Vale Dairy, alongside a pot of tea.

Price: £8.95pp

Availability: Daily

Address: 4, Fountain Court, Digbeth St, Stow-on-the-Wold, Cheltenham GL54 1BN

BOOK: theoldbakerytearoom.co.uk

Whatley Manor, Malmesbury

Housed in a 19th-century farmhouse on the edge of the Cotswolds, Whatley Manor is a luxurious country retreat with an excellent culinary offering. You can take afternoon tea in either the garden, the drawing room or on the terrace, and expect to be wowed with a decadent tier of finger sandwiches and sweet treats including green tea macarons and chocolate crémeux. It’s served with a choice of tea, coffee or (if you really want to max out that sugar hit) hot chocolate, with the option to add a glass of Gusbourne sparkling wine. Vegan and gluten-free alternatives are also available. Afterwards, go for a lie down in the heavenly spa.

Price: From £37.50pp

Availability: Wednesday – Sunday from 2pm

Address: Easton Grey, Malmesbury SN16 0RB

BOOK: whatleymanor.com