Time for tea
Afternoon tea is our specialitea...
- Stories & Inspiration
- Celebrate Afternoon Tea
Celebrate Afternoon Tea in North Yorkshire
We love Afternoon Tea here in North Yorkshire and (in our opinion) there is nowhere better to enjoy this time old British custom than right here. To celebrate Afternoon Tea Week (11 - 17 August 2025) we are spilling the tea on the best places to go across the county at any time of the year.
If sitting down to a delicious feast of delicately prepared sandwiches, cakes that look too good to eat and a good old Yorkshire cup of tea (or a glass of something fizzy) sounds like your perfect afternoon then North Yorkshire certainly won’t disappoint.
Bettys Café Tea Rooms
Bettys is without question the home of Afternoon Tea. Evident by the amount of tea lovers that flock to the café and tearooms in both Harrogate and Northallerton town centres, and at the glorious RHS Garden Harlow Carr, this is a must try Afternoon Tea experience. Pre-book your Bettys Afternoon Tea and you will be treated to a selection of rare and fine teas, especially sourced by Bettys own expert tea buyers, to accompany a divine and ever-changing seasonal menu. Don’t forget to pop into the shop on your way out to take some treats or tea home too!
Grantley Hall
For Afternoon Tea with a touch of class, head to the North Yorkshire jewel of Grantley Hall near Ripon for a sumptuous experience that you won’t forget in a hurry.
It won’t just be your mouth watering in anticipation of a delicious Afternoon Tea as you arrive at this luxury hotel, your jaw will drop at the magnificence and grandeur of its grounds as you make your way down the impressive driveway to the entrance. Once inside you will be greeted by friendly staff and seated for a quintessentially British Afternoon Tea in the sophisticated ambience and rich surroundings of the Main Hall. Just make sure you capture it all for your Instagram snaps.
Fodder Farm Shop and Cafe
Overlooking the green expanse of the Great Yorkshire Showground in Harrogate, Fodder is a farm shop and café with a passion for Yorkshire produce. Here you can enjoy a truly traditional Yorkshire Afternoon Tea whilst taking in the beautiful views of the Crimple Valley.
Your Afternoon Tea experience at Fodder includes seasonal finger sandwiches, freshly baked desserts and scones, all homemade with products sourced from over 400 Yorkshire suppliers. Sampling the Great Yorkshire Scone in miniature form (a Fodder favourite) is a must! Bookings are not required, so just turn up ready for tea.
Swinton Estate
Where better to indulge in a royally good Afternoon Tea than at a luxury castle set amongst glorious countryside just outside Masham. Afternoon Tea was, after all, established by the Seventh Duchess of Bedford Anna Maria Russell in 1870. The Swinton Estate provides the perfect location to soak up stunning surroundings whilst partaking in this tradition of dining between luncheon and a late evening meal.
Served in the bar, Sitting Room, Drawing Room or on the Lawn during summer months, you can enjoy freshly baked sandwiches, cakes and scones prepared in the hotel’s kitchen using local artisan preserves.
Rudding Park
Set in 300 acres of landscaped gardens and woodland, the award-winning Rudding Park near Harrogate is a beautiful setting to delight in an Afternoon Tea experience.
Served daily in the light and airy Conservatory, amongst a 400-year-old olive tree. Your Afternoon Tea will be brought to you as you sit back, relax and take in views of the gardens. The beautifully presented Afternoon Tea includes a selection of open or closed sandwiches, cakes and pastries, alongside a selection of tea and drinks. For an extra bit of sparkle, you can add a glass of Champagne or make it a family occasion with the option of a children’s Afternoon Tea.
Afternoon Tea with a Twist
If you are looking for a different take on Afternoon Tea, then you must head to Hetty & Betty in Whitby and partake in their fish and chip Afternoon Tea!
Overlooking the harbour, a visit to Hetty & Betty needs to be on your list. Their signature Fish and Chips Afternoon Tea mixes the tradition of the Afternoon Tea with all the taste of Whitby and the sea.
Botham’s of Whitby
Enjoy a visit to Botham’s of Whitby’s tearooms on Baxtergate in Whitby and opposite the railway station in Pickering. Not only are they the creators of the famous Whitby Lemon Bun, but you will also be able to sit down to a sumptuous Afternoon Tea or cream tea. Afterwards, you can buy some sweet treats from the bakery to enjoy at home.
Whether you are looking for a formal afternoon tea or something more relaxed, we have cafés and tearooms across the area who pride themselves on offering the finest refreshments and home baked treats to give you the energy to get the most from your visit.
However you take tea, make time for tea in North Yorkshire. If you are out celebrating Afternoon Tea Week or any other occasion we’d love to see your pictures, tag us using #VistNorthYorkshire
Search all Stories & Inspiration
You May Also Like
