Looking for afternoon tea in Lancashire? We’ve got you covered.
Think classic finger sandwiches, homemade scones, inventive sweet treats, glasses of fizz, beautiful views and plenty of places where the setting is just as memorable as the food.
Bertrams, Burnley
The afternoon tea at Bertrams isn’t just about the food, you’re paying for the experience of the exclusive Crow Wood estate. It’s home to the incredibly popular and repeat winner of best UK spa, The Woodland Spa.
Dining in their adult’s only restaurant is always a treat, and the afternoon tea promises to be no exception.
It’s not just a selection of finger sandwiches – the tea spread here includes soup, a sausage roll and even a miniature arancini – alongside a couple of traditional favourites that you’d expect to see.
Homemade scones come as standard, with a mixture of mini classics and delicious curveballs such as mille feuille to finish up.
Advertised as a luxury afternoon tea, the price point reflects this, and will cost you £95 for tea for two. This includes a bottle of sparkling wine, or you can have it for £80 without.
For this you’ll receive exceptional service and views out to the Pennine countryside. You’ll no doubt also leave with some inspiration for your next spa day.
Hoghton Tower, Hoghton
Further up the M65 you’ll find the 16th century Hoghton Tower, open to the public for a wander round the beautifully maintained gardens and grounds.
Tea is served in the tower itself on set dates Thursday-Sunday, where you’ll be treated to an array of finger sandwiches and several large pieces of cake and sweet treats. Adding a glass of prosecco is of course an option, and they happily let you take any spare cake home if you can’t finish it (as we couldn’t!). Children’s teas are also served.
A special shout goes to the fantastic serving team who made this an incredibly warm and relaxing experience.
Team your visit with the monthly farmer’s market, and you’ll be able to pick up some local produce and gifts before you head home.
Don’t have time to sit? They also do a takeaway afternoon tea, perfect for nibbling at your leisure at home.
Takeaway tea is £11 for children, £21 for adults. A dine in tea will cost £11, £23 or £29 if you add a glass of fizz or bottle of beer.
The Reading Room Kitchen, Bolton by Bowland
The stunning Reading Room Kitchen is part of Holden Clough Nurseries in Bolton by Bowland, in the heart of the Forest of Bowland area of outstanding national beauty.
Can’t fit in a full afternoon tea? For £14.95 you can order a miniature afternoon tea – where you’ll get sandwich, soup and a scone washed down with a pot of a loose-leaf tea of your choice.
For £25 you’ll get a selection of classic finger sandwiches (think salted cucumber, cream cheese and dill), a small sausage roll and a soup, and four different desserts.
You can add on a number of different drinks to suit your taste, most interesting being an intriguing sparkling tea!
Don’t miss a stroll round the nursery and gift shop, during your visit – you won’t leave this beautiful place empty handed.
Tea is available all week between 12-3pm, pre-booking is essential.
The Barn, Scorton
The picturesque village of Scorton can be found near to the start of the popular Nicky Nook walk. A West Lancashire favourite, this family friendly walk will treat you to views across to Morecambe Bay and out to the Lakes – and it’s the perfect walk to team with cake and a brew… or a full afternoon tea.
The Barn is one of the village’s main stops, a large restaurant with extensive seating both indoor and out, and for £20 each you can enjoy a full afternoon tea. Alongside the usual array of finger sandwiches is some inventive sweets, plus two types of scones. As a licensed bar you can of course add a glass of fizz, or even a cocktail for an extra £8.
It’s not just a restaurant though, the barn itself is home to an extensive gift shop selling the best of local suppliers and artists to showcase the best of the county. Alongside a garden centre, you really can make a full day of it over in Scorton.
Pre-booking for afternoon tea essential.
Looking for more afternoon tea inspiration somewhere else in the UK? Check out our Afternoon Teas section!
East Lancashire Railway
If you like your cake on the move, the East Lancashire Railway afternoon tea experience could be the one for you.
A 90-minute journey through the Lancashire countryside will set you back £58, enjoying a selection of patisserie and unlimited brews as you weave your way through the villages between Bury, Rawtenstall and Ramsbottom.
Cupcakes, brownies, blondies… what more could you ask for as you watch the rolling hills of East Lancashire roll by?
If you’re a history buff on any level then the story of the East Lancashire Railway will no doubt be of interest; originally opening in the 1840s to support the Industrial Revolution and huge growth of this area. Your transport for tea will be one of their heritage steam locomotives.
The heritage steam trains depart for afternoon tea at 12.30pm, and boarding starts at 12pm. Pre-booking essential, and subject to a small fee.
Some dietary requirements cannot be accommodated – please contact them in advance to check.
Cherry Tree, Blackrod
The Cherry Tree at Blackrod is an Instagrammer’s paradise; complete with a stunning glass conservatory, floral displays and booths for your backdrops.
Sandwiches are displayed inventively and the attention to detail is impressive – it’s not your bog-standard tea. Alongside finger sandwiches you’ll get brioche buns and crostini, and on one occasion there was an extra savoury treat too.
Set between Chorley and Bolton, this gorgeous bistro is always busy, with a warm and bustling atmosphere.
Afternoon tea is available Monday-Saturday 12-5pm, and is £35 per person. This includes a glass of fizz as well as the standard unlimited tea.
The Cartford Inn, Little Eccleston
The Cartford Inn can be found in the village of Little Eccleston, well situated on the banks of the Wyre between the major hub of Preston and the Fylde Coast.
A stunning restaurant and hotel transformed from a former coaching inn; it’s won many awards – so it’s no surprise that the afternoon tea is an incredibly special experience.
Served 12-2pm Thursday-Sunday, riverside views are teamed with a selection of seasonal cakes, homemade patisserie and warm fresh scones.
The décor is modern, vibrant and filled with art – and it’s so much more than just a dining experience. An onsite gallery, and deli selling their own TOTI (Taste of the Inn) produce is an experience in itself.
And as if that’s not enough, you can stay the night in a gorgeous room – or a treehouse lodge – you decide.
Afternoon tea starts at £35 and up to £45 to add champagne. For £40 you can have the Lancashire G&Tea, paired with a Lancashire gin of your choosing.
If you want Lancashire with a side of France…the Cartford is the place for you.
Lytham Hall
Oh, I do like to…be having afternoon tea by the seaside…and Lytham Hall has a fine offering.
A period Georgian House on the Fylde Coast in Lytham, here tea is taken in Lilibet’s Afternoon Tea Emporium – the Hall’s Georgian Library,
Luxury afternoon teas are available at two sittings a day, except Mondays.
During the week your afternoon tea will follow standard (but stunning) lines, come Sunday and your tea will have a Sunday roast twist, including mini Yorkshire puds and soup. Visit from November and start your festivities with a themed afternoon tea to get you ready for Christmas.
Whilst you’re there you can take a tour of the property, enjoy the gardens or walk round the grounds, or simply sit back and enjoy your unlimited tea. Prices start at just £21.
The Midland Hotel, Morecambe
The iconic Midland Hotel has been a focal point in this Lancashire seaside town for nearly a century. Restored in recent years and given a new lease of life, this art-deco building is once again the place to be when visiting the town.
Tea is served on the Sun Terrace, with gorgeous views over Morecambe Bay and up to the Lake District.
Served twice daily at a price of £40, tea comprises of a three-tiered selection of finger cakes and sandwiches, and you can of course upgrade with a glass of Laurent Perrier champagne.
If you’re looking for more, team your tea with a stay over and be sure to walk off your cakes on Morecambe’s historic promenade – don’t forget to look out for its most famous celebrity!
Stanley House, Mellor
I’m finishing with afternoon tea in Fred’s Brasserie at Stanley House for good reason. It looks the part… it’s presented exquisitely, it’s unusual in all the right ways, and it’s not extortionately priced. As well as sandwiches, sweet treats and scones, you also get sharing bites by way of tartlets and bon bons. But that’s not the best bit (I know!).
Afternoon tea comes as two offers. Alongside your traditional offering, you can also opt for the Chai afternoon tea. This experience offers you the sweet treats, the scones and the tea – but switch out your finger sandwiches for an imaginative variety of Indian savoury treats and find yourself in heaven.
I love afternoon tea, but I love an imaginative twist – and Stanley House has delivered.
Both options are £32 each and an additional £5 for a glass of Prosecco. If you start anywhere, start here.
By Amy Blackburn
Image credits Amy Blackburn & dreamstime
