Award Winning Afternoon Tea in Leicestershire and Rutland

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 Leicestershire and Rutland is also likely to provide some of the best afternoon tea in Leicestershire and Rutland! 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.

Nestled in the heart of England, Leicestershire and Rutland provide a delightful setting for enjoying one of the finest British traditions: afternoon tea. As an enthusiast of this most elegant ritual, I must say, few locations embody the charm and tranquillity of classic tea service quite like these two counties. Leicestershire, with its rolling countryside, bustling market towns, and historic stately homes, pairs perfectly with the genteel experience of taking tea. Equally, the rural serenity of Rutland, England's smallest county, offers a more intimate, picturesque landscape which is ideal for settling into a peaceful afternoon. Both counties boast a lovely array of tearooms and historic venues that serve some of the most exquisite afternoon teas in the region. Among my favourites is Stapleford Park, a grand country house hotel in Leicestershire known for its refined afternoon tea offerings. Here, guests can enjoy a sophisticated selection of finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream, and delicate pastries alongside expertly brewed teas, all while soaking up views of the idyllic surrounding parkland. Equally delightful is Barnsdale Lodge Hotel in Rutland, just a stone's throw from Rutland Water. Their afternoon tea is perfect for those who prefer a more relaxed, yet nonetheless delightful, experience. And for something quintessentially Leicestershire, you simply must visit Kilworth House. The high tea service, taken under the hotel's orangery, is a truly luxurious experience, with fine bone china and delicious treats that reflect the best of traditional and contemporary tea-time fare.