Afternoon Tea Lake District: 15 Best Afternoon Teas [2024] (2024)

The Lake District is an outdoor paradise that’s best known for its stunning scenery and hiking trails.

However, the Lakes is also a foodie haven, with Michelin-star restaurants, gastro pubs, and afternoon teas aplenty!

Here in the Lakes, you won’t just find afternoon teas with measly sandwiches and little cakes.

No, here you’ll find nothing but quality afternoon teas, filled with locally-sourced produce and gorgeous views to boot!

Next time you head for a walk in the Lakes, end your hike on a high with one of these delicious afternoon teas.

Think of this list as your afternoon tea bible for the Lakes – take what you need and find the perfect one for you!

1. Low Wood Bay

Address: Ambleside Rd, Windermere LA23 1LP

Phone number: 015394 33338

Price: £28 per person

With views overlooking Lake Windermere, Low Wood Bay is the perfect place to slow down and enjoy breathtaking views and delicious food.

They serve afternoon tea at the Blue Smoke restaurant, which is known for its three-metre-long wood-fired grill in the open kitchen.

Cooking over hot embers creates unforgettable flavours in aged steaks, meats, fish and vegetables, all of which feature in this unique afternoon tea.

The classic wood-fire afternoon tea features 24-hour slow-cooked beef brisket, chorizo Picante, king prawns, and Piri-Piri chicken wings.

And that’s just the savoury selection!

From loaded nachos and waffle fries to blueberry scones and butterscotch doughnuts, this afternoon tea has a little bit of everything.

And it’s all accompanied by local tea and incredible views of Lake Windermere!

Low Wood Bay also has a vegetarian afternoon tea, a vegan afternoon tea, and a gluten-free afternoon tea.

There truly is something for everyone!

2. The Wild Boar

Address: Crook Rd, Kendal LA23 3NF

Phone number: 01539 445225

Price: £30 per person

The Wild Boar is known for its on-site smokehouse and its alternative afternoon tea in the Lake District.

With a warming open fire and beams, this traditional-looking pub is anything but traditional when it comes to the food it serves.

Yep, that’s right – there are no classic finger sandwiches here!

Instead, they serve alternative British delicacies, whether it’s pigs in blankets or mini fish and chips.

Don’t worry though because there’s still your classic scone and jam to finish off the meal!

This welcoming restaurant is the perfect place to come and warm yourself and refuel after a day out in the Lakes.

However, if you’d rather take afternoon tea out with you, you can enjoy their afternoon tea in picnic form instead!

Prepared and packed into a cute wicker basket, you can take your tea into The Wild Boar’s 72-acre private woodland for a truly wild afternoon tea in the Lake District.

3. The Gaddum Restaurant

Address: Brockhole on Windermere, Windermere LA23 1LJ

Phone number: 015394 40250

Price: £25 per person

The Gaddum Restaurant is situated in the heart of the Lakes, in the popular 19th-Century Brockhole House.

Afternoon tea takes place in both the Garden Room and the Orangery, both of which have been lovingly restored to their original features.

Inside, you’ll find a classic black and white tile floor, and an elegant glass roof and windows that enjoy beautiful views of the lake and gardens.

The Gaddum afternoon tea features indulgent pâtisserie, beautifully crafted finger sandwiches, and scrumptious fresh scones, all in the most beautiful setting.

From dark chocolate delice to a truffle cream cheese and cucumber sandwich, there’s so much deliciousness waiting to be tucked into!

This afternoon tea comes in at a sweet £25 which is great value for money when you consider all the bang you get for your buck.

4. Lakeside Hotel & Spa

Address: Newby Bridge, Cumbria LA12 8AT

5. Ravenglass Railway

Address: Ravenglass, Cumbria CA18 1SW

Phone number: 01229 717171

Price: From £30 per person

This afternoon tea in the Lake District is all about the experience!

Originally built in 1973, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway was the first public narrow gauge railway in England.

This unique afternoon tea will have you enjoy a seven-mile journey through the stunning Cumbria countryside in a steam-pulled train.

At Dalegarth Station, you’ll receive your afternoon tea which features an assortment of sandwiches and fluffy scones and tea or coffee.

And what better way to explore the Eskdale Valley than while tucking into a delectable afternoon tea, right?!

Upgrade your journey by taking your afternoon tea in the ‘Ruth’ Directors Saloon – an exclusive experience for two.

Arrive at Ravenglass station and board your ‘Ruth’ compartment for the return railway journey of dreams.

As well as your afternoon tea, you’ll even get a takeaway souvenir cup as a memento of your day out!

6. Macdonald Leeming House

Address: Watermillock, Ullswater, Penrith CA11 0JJ

Phone number: 0344 879 9142

Price: £30 per person

This decadent afternoon tea takes place in Leeming House, a 200-year-old Georgian house which has since transformed into a luxury boutique hotel.

You’ll take your afternoon tea in one of the lounges, whether it’s the inviting Library space where you can settle down with a book or the welcoming Drawing Room which is bursting with character.

Wherever you find yourself, you’ll be able to gaze out to the surrounding landscape of Ullswater as you tuck into your tea.

Their quintessential afternoon tea is made from the finest local ingredients and includes a classic selection of dainty finger sandwiches, fresh homemade scones, and irresistible cakes.

These decadent treats are served with Twinings loose-leaf tea – all for just £30 per person.

However, if you fancy treating yourself, you can upgrade to a Prosecco afternoon tea for £35 per person or a Laurent Perrier Rosé Champagne afternoon tea for £45 per person!

7. Rothay Manor

Address: Rothay Bridge, Ambleside, Cumbria LA22 0EH

Phone number: 01539 433605

Price: £29 per person

Rothay Manor is situated on the outskirts of Ambleside and is a charming country house with stunning views of the rugged fells beyond.

Indulge in your afternoon tea in one of the cosy and comfy lounges by the fire, or outside on the terrace when the British weather is on your side!

Expect a delicious variety of finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and homemade jam, and an assortment of mini cakes and desserts.

The menu for the afternoon tea changes regularly as they use fresh, seasonal, local produce, so you can expect something slightly different with each visit!

You’ll be enjoying your food alongside a delicious selection of loose-leaf tea from Jing, and some incredible coffee from local supplier Farrer’s of Kendal.

This afternoon tea costs £29 per person and is served from 2 pm to 4 pm Thursday to Saturday.

8. Daffodil Hotel

Address: By The Lake, Keswick Road, Grasmere, Cumbria LA22 9PR

Phone number: 015394 63550

Price: From £28.50 per person

The Daffodil Hotel is in the heart of the Lake District, surrounded by the landscape that inspired William Wordsworth.

This family-run hotel and restaurant has creativity at the heart of it – with contemporary design and menus to match.

And their afternoon tea is no exception!

Not only will the stunning views at The Daffodil Hotel take your breath away, but so will the indulgent and delectable treats on offer.

Their artistic contemporary afternoon tea is made by their talented pastry chef Sarah and features only the finest local produce!

You’ll be washing all the deliciousness down with their fruit and spiced teas, made in partnership with the rightly-popular Teapigs.

Their afternoon tea takes place daily between 12:30 pm and 4:30 pm, with prices starting at £8.95 for a traditional cream tea or £28.50 for the full afternoon tea experience.

9. The Orangery at the Inn on the Lake

Address: Ullswater, Glenridding, Penrith CA11 0PE

Phone number: 017684 82444

The Orangery at the Inn on the Lake is situated in Glenridding, on the shores of Ullswater.

Its interiors are stylish and modern, and they’re accompanied by some exceptional 360-degree views.

In the winter, enjoy your afternoon tea by the cosy fires, and in the summer (weather permitting!), enjoy it on the terrace, basking in the Lake District sunshine!

This is a sweet afternoon tea, with a delightful selection of homemade sweet treats and pastries along with sandwiches, scones, and seasonal savoury delights.

You’ll get to wash your food down with speciality teas, coffees, and gin – and some extra tipples, too, if you fancy upgrading!

This is a fantastic afternoon tea that’s only enhanced by the stunning views of the North Lakes.

10. HRiSHi at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

Address: at Gilpin Hotel & Lake House

Phone number: 015394 88818

Price: From £10.50 per person

HRiSHi is a Michelin-starred, four AA Rosette restaurant that’s one of the best places to go for afternoon tea in the Lake District.

The restaurant combines great Lake District produce and classic methods to deliver a modern British afternoon tea with a twist.

Their ‘Posh Scran’ afternoon tea is a unique take on the classic!

From honey-glazed ham sandwiches and vegetables samosas to vanilla panna cotta and pink peppercorn brioche, their tea is full of all kinds of delights.

And luckily for you, it costs just £30 per person or £46 if you upgrade to their champagne afternoon tea.

Alternatively, you can sit back and relax with a simple cream tea for £10.50.

Either way, you’ll enjoy the beautiful Ambleside scenery while you catch up with friends and family!

11. Shed1 Distillery

Address: The Old Calf Shed, North Lonsdale Road, Ulverston, Cumbria LA12 9AU

Phone number: 07794 699913 / 07397 180486

Price: From £28.50 per person

Gin lovers, listen up, as I might have just found your new favourite afternoon tea in the Lake District!

Shed1 Distillery is an award-winning gin distillery based in Ulverston and it serves a cracking afternoon tea.

Their botanical-inspired afternoon G&Tea is made up of scones, finger sandwiches, and sweet treats..

However, the twist is that all of them include botanicals used in the gin making process.

For example, the chocolate cake includes orange zest and chilli flakes with a cardamom chantilly cream, all found in the Chilli Fest Gin.

Similarly, the strawberry shortbread biscuit is covered with rose icing and strawberry pieces, both of which are found in the Shed Loads of Love Gin.

They source all their ingredients locally from Cumbria, with the lovely teas and coffees supplied by Penningtons Coffee Roasters and Tea Merchants, who ethically source their coffee.

Of course, you’ll not only be washing your food down with tea and coffee, though!

It wouldn’t be a Shed1 Distillery afternoon tea without some G&Ts, now would it?

12. Castle Green Hotel

Address: Castle Green Ln, Kendal LA9 6RG

Phone number: 01539 734000

Price: From £22.50 per person

Castle Green Hotel overlooks the market town of Kendal, and it’s the perfect place to catch up with friends.

The building dates back to 1847 and overlooks beautiful gardens, including apple trees which were added a few years ago.

Whatever the weather, relax and enjoy your afternoon tea in the Greenhouse Restaurant.

This classic afternoon tea features a selection of finger sandwiches, sausage rolls, and sweet treats, including chocolate eclairs and blood orange Jaffa cakes!

Castle Green are proud to work with local suppliers to ensure the best quality, so you can expect nothing but good things from their food.

Their afternoon tea costs a cheap £22.50 per person, too, making it one of the cheapest in the area.

However, you can pay an extra £6.50 for a glass of Prosecco which seems well worth it, no?

13. Orient Express Afternoon Tea

Address: Bassenthwaite Lake Station, Bassenthwaite Lake, co*ckermouth CA13 9YL

Phone number: 017687 76599

Price: From £24 per person

For one of the most unique places to go for afternoon tea in the Lake District, look no further than Bassenthwaite Lake Station!

This café is a restored railway station, and inside, you’ll find a full-size replica steam train on the former co*ckermouth to Keswick line.

Their afternoon tea takes place in the ambient and art-deco-inspired Orient Express carriage cafe, with menus changing seasonally.

Whether you’re a locomotive lover, a film buff, or you simply just love a unique afternoon tea, I’m sure you’ll love it just as much as I do!

This afternoon tea costs £24 per person and is available seven days a week from 11 am to 3 pm.

Alternatively, you can book into their Afternoon Tea Royale for £33 instead to get Prosecco included, too!

14. The Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden

Address: Portinscale, Keswick, Cumbria CA12 5TZ

Phone: 017687 71206

Price: From £28 per person

Situated on the western shore of Derwentwater, The Lingholm Kitchen and Walled Garden has a stunning 100-foot-long glass wall which overlooks an octagonal walled garden.

As well as great views, it also has a fantastic afternoon tea that’s very worthy of your time!

Theirs comes with a selection of sandwiches, pastries, scones, and sweet treats, which you can enjoy while overlooking the spectacular views of the fells.

Menu highlights are the toffee apple cake, the mushroom and truffle mouse, and the ham and mustard sandwiches.

As for how much it’ll cost you, the traditional afternoon tea comes in at £28, while a Prosecco afternoon tea costs £32.

This one is fun for all the family, too, as kids can enjoy a children’s option for £18!

While you’re here, why not explore the gardens and find the outdoor gallery dedicated to the work of Beatrix Potter?

15.Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa

Address: Derwentwater, Keswick CA12 5UX

Phone number: 017687 77285

Price: From £29.50 per person

Lodore Falls Hotel & Spa is all about rest and relaxation, and their afternoon tea is no exception!

Sit back and relax in the opulent Lake View Restaurant, with views overlooking Derwentwater.

Using local produce, the seasonal-themed afternoon tea will bring a little bit of luxury to your Lake District stay.

With copious amounts of tea and a delightful selection of sweet and savoury treats, you’ll be blown away by this afternoon tea in the Lake District.

Top tip: visit at Christmas time for the most fabulously festive afternoon tea.

Lodore Falls serves their tea daily from noon to 4:30 pm so book in now to avoid disappointment.

So that concludes my round-up of the best places to go for afternoon tea in The Lake District!

It’s safe to say they won’t disappoint, no matter which one you book in for.

Whether you’re looking for a cosy pub atmosphere or a high-end, fine-dining tea, there truly is something for everyone.

After a day of walking on the fells, these indulgent afternoon teas are sure to help you unwind in style!