Award Winning Afternoon Tea in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire

Please note, leading restaurant guides issue awards to restaurants based on dining from a full menu and will not normally consider afternoon tea when deciding how highly to rate a restaurant. Therefore the above restaurants are not ranked, although it's a safe bet that any restaurant serving award winning food in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire is also likely to provide some of the best afternoon tea in Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire! Please also note that for the restaurants listed above, afternoon tea may be offered within the parent hotel/venue the restaurant resides in, rather than in the restaurant itself.

Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire, nestled in the heart of England's verdant countryside, offer a wealth of locations for indulging in the quintessentially British tradition of afternoon tea. Both counties are within easy reach of London, yet they provide a serene escape where rolling landscapes, historic manors, and charming tea rooms abound, making them ideal for a leisurely afternoon treat. In Bedfordshire, the elegant setting of Luton Hoo Hotel stands as a hallmark for luxury, offering an afternoon tea experience that is as grand as the stately mansion itself. Here, you may relish delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and a sumptuous selection of pastries, all served in a dining space steeped in aristocratic charm. In neighbouring Hertfordshire, the offerings are equally delightful. Sopwell House, a former country estate in St Albans, is another destination attracting afternoon tea aficionados. Its tranquil gardens and sophisticated service create the perfect setting for a relaxing escape. Whether you opt for their Traditional Afternoon Tea with warm, flaky scones or their celebratory Champagne Afternoon Tea, the experience is both elegant and comforting. For a more intimate yet thoroughly British affair, consider visiting High Street tearooms like The Waffle House in Welwyn Garden City or the Orchard Tea Garden in Grantchester (a short jaunt outside the counties), which host a more relaxed yet equally charming variation of tea traditions. Whether grand or homey, the tea-loving visitor to Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire will undoubtedly be spoilt for choice.