I Tested the Best Afternoon Tea Spots in Britain So You Don't Have To

1. Idle Rocks Hotel, St Mawes, Cornwall

This gorgeous hotel is in a small fishing village, full of Cornish charm. The afternoon tea is divine! Served on the terrace, you can watch life go past as you enjoy a cream tea, and go for a wander up the harbour afterwards. And if you fancy staying for tea, they have a great selection of lobster, crab and fish dishes, from locally caught produce!

A quintessential Cornish cream tea includes:

2. Wish Tower Cafe, East Sussex

This really is a brilliant cafe. With views over the ocean, the cafe is the perfect place to watch the water while enjoying some very old school treatment. The tea is brewed in stainless steel teapots, and there are cream buns and ice sponges freshly cooked too. There’s an amazing Victorian pier to look at afterwards, too. Dreamy!

3. Ocean Bay, Dorset

This is a great cafe if you want a contemporary afternoon tea. It has an indigo and white decor, which looks great against the Ocean backdrop, and you can enjoy a Dorset cream tea while sitting on the terrace. If you enjoy breathtaking coastal settings like Cornwall's waterside tearooms, Ocean Bay offers a similarly stunning maritime backdrop. Want something a little different? They’ve got cocktails and a modern menu, too, full of local produce and perfect for a light meal. You can even sail here, as there are eight moorings outside...you’ll forget about time here, it’s an amazing restaurant!

4. Harbour Bar, Scarborough

This bar is modelled on Fifties Britain, with a menu offering a huge selection of retro goodies, such as huge chocolate sundaes. It’s got red leather banquettes, gleaming chrome and American Soda decor, and you’ll feel like you’ve time-warped back...some of the locals even come dressed up!

5. Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Devon

I love Devon, and this is one of my favourite places to stay. It’s situated in National Trust land, and has all the facilities you need for a luxury stay, in a very natural setting. Much like the serene seafront view at East Sussex's Wish Tower Cafe, this Devon destination delivers quintessential coastal relaxation. The Cove itself is sheltered and sandy, and the rooms have stunning views along the coast. There is a special tearoom, which is world-renowned for its home made cakes, scones and tea, and you can explore for miles. Perfect.

What makes a seaside tea room stand out:

6. the Dennis Cafe, Pembrokeshire

This cafe has been truly lost in time, and doesn’t even have its own website. That just adds to the charm, though. Set on Castle Beach, the owners know everybody, and it’s a favourite with the locals. It’s in the perfect location to stop for a cup of tea and Welsh cake or apple pie, which are both freshly made twice a day, and if you are feeling hungrier you can have a full Welsh breakfast, burgers, or vegetarian meal too.

7. Nevin’s Nibbles, Northumberland

A friend told me about this place, which is simply gorgeous! It has a pale pink, art deco theme, and is famous for its scones. Not only are there delicious crumbly scones, but they offer unique varieties too, such as chilli, pineapple and cheese and chive. They also make a great cup of tea! If you can’t get to Northumberland, but want to try a scone, you can even have them posted to you. Sounds good to me!

8. Skoon Art Cafe, Isle of Harris

Want to visit one of those cafes that seems to bustle with artists? This is the perfect one. It sits high on a rocky coastline, with perfect views of the sky and sea, and you could sit and watch the world go by for hours. It’s so easy to forget everything there! For travelers who appreciate unique regional baking like the specialty scones in Northumberland, Skoon Art Cafe pairs its tea with original local artwork. They also sell a fantastic range of coffees, teas, and delicious cakes, and the walls are adorned with paintings by the owner. A creative paradise.

My partner and I went on a cafe-hunt late last year, enjoying all of these places and trying a few others. Finding the perfect afternoon tea really is a pleasure...it’s one of the things Britain is amazing at! Have you visited somewhere with the perfect afternoon tea? Please tell me about it!