The Best Afternoon Teas in Berkshire – 7 great choices for an indulgent treat

The Retreat at Elcot Park, West Berkshire

The Retreat at Elcot Park is a luxury boutique hotel and spa in Berkshire, that has blended British sensibility and elegant authentic luxury perfectly together. The Retreat combines old and new together with the local and the worldly, to offer the perfect afternoon tea for a sense of luxury without having to travel far.

I last visited for afternoon tea 2 years ago, and it was so good I still think about it now!

Afternoon tea at Elcot welcomes people to slow down and enjoy their surroundings. You can take time to enjoy your food whilst looking out onto beautiful countryside views and wildlife.

The menu changes seasonally meaning you are always served the freshest ingredients packed full of flavour. Afternoon tea has a range of sweet patisseries, savoury selection and scones, costing £42 per person including unlimited tea and coffee.

They also offer a range of alcoholic drinks such as cocktails and a glass of fizz, plus they also have two non-alcoholic fizz available.  I’d recommend a glass of the Wild Idol Alcohol Free Sparkling White and it’s really good – just like an alcoholic drink.

Afternoon tea is available Monday to Thursday 12:00-17:00 and Friday to Sunday 12:00-15:45.

Donnington, Newbury

Donnington Hotel has a lot to offer, having a spa and golf course all surrounded by beautiful countryside, it is the perfect place to go and unwind and relax for an afternoon tea. Afternoon tea here offers four different sandwiches, a selection of scones and cakes, alongside a selection of teas, herbal infusions and coffees.

Afternoon Tea starts at £32 per person and is available daily from 12:00-15:45. Options for add-ons include four different prosecco or champagne for £3 or £8 extra.

Visit our Afternoon Tea Section, for more inspiration and ideas!

Hurley House Hotel, Hurley

Hurley House is an independent family-owned boutique hotel. Hurley House offers traditional and Japanese afternoon tea options. The Japanese afternoon tea is a twist to your much loved afternoon tea menu, scones with matcha powder, bao buns, sushi and Daifuku. This comes with a Japanese tea selection known for their aromatic flavours and health benefits.

Their traditional afternoon tea includes; scones, sandwiches, savouries such as sausage rolls and tartlets and cakes. All served with a selection of tea, coffee and even hot chocolate.  For a luxury experience, upgrade to Champagne Afternoon Tea which includes a glass of Ruinart.

It is available Thursday to Saturday 15:00-17:30 with a minimum of two guests and bookings must be confirmed two days in advance.

The Roseate Hotel, Reading

The Roseate, Reading is a townhouse hotel in Berkshire, originally Shire Hall for Berkshire County Council; and this afternoon tea is where the glorious past meets modern day world. It was described as ‘UK’s most stylish Townhouse hotel’ by the Evening Standard.

The Roseate’s afternoon tea offers a vast variety of sandwiches, plain and cranberry scones, a selection of desserts and a choice of teas or coffee for a traditional afternoon tea at £39 per person. Upgrade to the prosecco afternoon tea for £48 per person, or go all-in for the Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial or Moet & Chandon Rose Imperial at £54/£56 per person respectively.

This is available daily 12:30-16:30.

Cobbs Farm Shop, Englefield and Hungerford

Cobbs Farm Shop has multiple sites and we are lucky to have two in Berkshire!

Cobbs offer an affordable afternoon tea in their cafes with freshly baked goods. For £25 you get;unlimited pots of tea or filter coffee, an assortment of finger sandwiches, cobbs homemade sausage roll and quiche, freshly baked scones and a selection of sweet treats. For an extra £3 you can have a glass of a glass of bubbles too!

Both locations have outside and inside seating with the outside areas also being undercover. Cobbs is perfect for a nice afternoon tea catch up with friends and then enjoy a look around what is available in the farm shop after too! It is worth noting that afternoon tea must be booked at least 24 hours in advance with full payment at the time of booking.

Available from 1:30 onwards.

Teashop By The Canal, Newbury

This Teashop in a grade II listed building is right by the canal, so it is lovely to sit and watch the water flowing and even spot some canal boats going past, with their inside and outside seating options.  Their afternoon tea is £33 per person which includes unlimited loose leaf tea or coffee, a selection of homemade sandwiches, sultana scones and cakes.

The tea shop is open Monday-Sunday 9:30-16:30. This is a perfect option for a budget friendly afternoon tea whilst still feeling luxurious.

Ego at The Star Inn, Kingsclere

Ego is a Mediterranean restaurant situated on the outskirts of Berkshire. Opened in 2025 this new venue combines a rustic charm with fresh new Mediterranean inspired energy and is enjoyed by everyone. Ego has put their own Mediterranean twist on the classic British afternoon tea, including lamb kofta, rosemary focaccia and salmon and dill fish cakes alongside classic scones and desserts.

The afternoon tea starts at £17.95 with an option to pay an extra £5 to upgrade with a Prosecco or a nice glass of gin & tonic.

There such a wide variety of afternoon tea available in Berkshire, something for everyone! Let me know on Instagram at @girl.aboutberkshire if I’ve missed your favourite!

By Emily Brown

Image credits Dreamstime