TOP 10 UNUSUAL AFTERNOON TEA VENUES IN THE UK

Estimated read time 6 min read

No-one does afternoon tea quite like the North West of England. The region has put a variety of fantastic twists on the traditional service. Take a look at the top 10 craziest afternoon tea venues in the North West.

1. 30 James Street – Liverpool

30 James Street – Home of the Titanic is rooted in history, as the Grade II* listed building is the former headquarters of the White Star Line – and was RMS Titanic’s port of registry. While afternoon tea at 30 James Street in Liverpool offers everything you’d expect from the service – such as delicious finger food, tempting cakes and jam and clotted cream scones – it’s the atmosphere that sets this experience apart from its many competitors in the city.
In celebration of the building’s history, guests will dine in the stunning White Star Grand Hall – which offers all the glamour and elegance of the famous ship. You will feel like a first class passenger aboard the ship, with fantastic service, beautiful decor and the stunning vocals of a male singer as you dine. It’s glamorous, its historic and it is most definitely delicious.

2. The Garden Kitchen at Holden Clough Nursery – Clitheroe

Afternoon tea should offer a unique experience that diners will remember for many years to come – and The Garden Kitchen at Holden Clough Nursery does exactly that! The traditional afternoon tea in Clitheroe is served to guests on a cute picnic bench, offering cupcakes in mini flower pots, shepherd’s pie in a bucket, traditional jam and clotted cream scones and wellington boot smoothies.
A standard bench is available for £13.95 per person, including tea and coffee, whilst a delux bench is available for £16.95 per person, and includes tea, coffee and a glass of prosecco. A £5 booking fee is also required, and the price will be taken off the final bill.

3. Baltic Social – Liverpool

Calling all food lovers! If you love meat, bread, chocolate and cake, head on over to the Baltic Social in Liverpool. You won’t find delicate finger sandwiches and dainty cakes on this stand, but will enjoy a homemade slider of cheeseburgers, mini hotdogs and coriander fries.
What about the cakes? You can enjoy chocolate brownies with a caramel dip, a rainbow cake and homemade popcorn. The punk afternoon tea will also be served with a teapot of beer, cocktail or tea. We know what we’d choose!
This crazy afternoon tea service is available for a value-for-money £17.95 per person, and parties of four or over are required to pay a £5 deposit per head. Do it!

4. Davenports Tearoom & Farm Shop – Cheshire

Alice in Wonderland is synonymous with afternoon tea, as who could forget the Mad Hatter’s tea party. The Davenports Tearoom & Farm Shop therefore brings the Lewis Carroll novel to life. After all, it is just two miles from the author’s birthplace.
It’s an afternoon tea lover’s delight, offering Alice in Wonderland murals, whilst the tables are adorned with chess sets, playing cards and other fun collectables. What’s more, all the cakes and scones are homemade, and they offer delicious sandwiches, 30 speciality loose leaf tea, champagne, beer and ice cream milkshakes. Perfect for all the family!

5. Cocoa Cabana – Manchester

One of the kookiest afternoon tea service has to be Cocoa Cabana, a boutique chocolatier in Manchester. It is therefore a must for all chocolate aficionados, as not only do they offer afternoon tea staples such as clotted cream scones and finger sandwiches, but they have also created unique brownies, chocolate teardrops and yummy scrummy chocolate tarts.

6. East Avenue Bakehouse – Liverpool

East Avenue Bakehouse is one of the most talked about new restaurants in Liverpool – and it’s not hard to see why. The independent restaurant offers two fantastic afternoon tea options: Mersey Man and Liverpool Lady.
For a fun and fruity afternoon tea, we recommend the Liverpool Lady, which offers stunning macarons, delicious smoked salmon blinis and mouth-watering cakes. For those with a hearty appetite, the Mersey Man is a must, offering a slice of rarebit, black pudding sausage rolls and unforgettable homemade scotch eggs.

7. Hey Little Cupcake – Manchester

Hey Little Cupcake specialise in making unique cupcakes in delicious flavours and designs – so you can guarantee a sweet sensation when you visit the Manchester speciality shop. This cupcake-themed afternoon tea is ideal for all those who have a bit of a sweet tooth. The quirky pink and white design offers an unusual, fun dining experience that can be enjoyed by all.

8. Cuthbert’s Bakehouse – Liverpool

New York comes to Liverpool at Cuthbert’s Bakehouse. When it comes to unusual afternoon tea, it seems as though Liverpool is full of ideas. You can enjoy traditional finger sandwiches, jam scones and loose leaf tea, whilst dining in the American/English inspired cake shop.
On top of offering traditional options, ‘The New Yorker’ Afternoon tea is a must for just £15 or £19 per person, as it includes a melt-in-your-mouth meatball sub, a mini hotdog sub with fried onions, New York cheesecake and a red velvet cupcake. A true taste of America!

9. Richmond Tea Rooms – Manchester

This is the second afternoon tea venue on this list that’s been inspired by Alice in Wonderland, but is most definitely worth a visit. The tearoom is elegantly decorated, offering exquisite chandeliers and Tim Burton inspired interior.
You can select everything from the affordable The Alice Tea for £6.50, which offers a large homemade fruit scone and pot of tea, or The Queen’s Tea for £18 per person and includes a selection of cakes, sandwiches and pastries. However, if you’re feeling really mad, you can go for the £10.50 The Hatter’s Tea, which also offers sandwiches, a savoury pastry and a fruit scone.

10. The Sanderson – London

Are you looking for a larger-than-life afternoon tea experience? You will adore Mad Hatter’s Tea at The Sanderson, then! Offering Queen of Hearts crockery, riddle napkins ties and plenty of Lewis Carroll references, it’s perfect for all ages.
Enjoy smoked salmon sandwiches on lime bread, or even treat yourself to tomato and jalapeno scones. Heavenly! here’s also a Victoria sponge cake that’s iced with a strawberry clock face.

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