Three tiers for afternoon tea – that’s how many of us like it with sandwiches, cakes and scones. But not all teas in our Cumbrian top 10 are so traditional, with some offering burgers, black pudding sausage roll and even sushi. Whatever you choose, travelling by bus is a great way to go, especially if you’re enjoying a glass of fizz with your cuppa. And we recommend you always ring ahead to book as many places need advance notice.
VIP POD, Hope Park, Keswick
Bus service: 77/77A/78/509/553/554/555/X4/X5
If afternoon tea was served on the moon, they’d do it like this. The futuristic transparent VIP pods in Hope Park can seat up to six people and have great views of Catbells. Designed for special occasions or a friends’ get-together, a waiter brings the finger sandwiches, scones and cakes, plus an endless supply of tea and coffee in elegant china. Prices start from £29, there’s a child menu for £10, and dogs can dine for a tenner too. Book here.
Lodore Falls, Borrowdale, Keswick
Bus service: 78
It’s the land of the rising scone at Lodore Falls these days, now the hotel offers an Asian-style afternoon tea. For £38 per person, the Mizu Pan-Asian menu includes sushi, prawn spring rolls, sticky pork belly skewers, miso chocolate madeleines and matcha & yuzu tart. Even your tea can be Japanese. But a traditional option remains too for lovers of finger sandwiches. Both options, like the hotel, are top-end. For details, click here.
Fizzy Tarte, Bowness
Bus service: 6/508/534/599/755
Afternoon tea at the Fizzy Tarte is a heady cocktail of sandwiches, cakes, scones and fizz. A bar isn’t the usual place for such fare but the venue has become known for its three tiers of heaven that’s shared between two. If it’s a special occasion you can dine with a bottle of Laurent-Perrier Cuvee Rose champagne for added sparkle. Prices from £33 per person, to book, click here.
Bassenthwaite Lake Station, Dubwath
Bus service: X5
If you like your tea with extra steam, this is the place. Bassenthwaite Lake Station serves afternoon tea from its period Restaurant and Salon railway carriages with all the trimmings from £37.50. Or on Thursdays and Saturdays you can eat your sandwiches and scones on a two-hour bus trip aboard a special double decker that tours Thirlmere, Derwentwater and Bassenthwaite Lake (£45). Then, when you’ve finished, you can explore the rail station and nearby nature reserve. For details, click here.
The Chocolate Room and Kitchen, Dalton-in-Furness
Bus service: 6/X6/6A
Expect freshly-baked pastries, classic finger sandwiches, scones and artisan chocolates (of course) with a Chocolate Room and Kitchen afternoon tea for £28. The team here pride themselves on their community spirit and warm welcomes, and source their ingredients locally. It’s known as a great place for feelgood food. To book, click here.
Castle Green Hotel, Castle Green Lane, Kendal
Bus service: 40/42/42A, 6-minute walk
Scones with afternoon tea are a given. But the rest? The Alternative Afternoon Tea brushes away convention and serves delights such as black pudding sausage roll, piri piri popcorn chicken, mini fish and chips, and Wensleydale and spring onion arancini. Even the tuna and cucumber sandwiches come on focaccia bread. And for sweet it’s Greek yoghurt with honey and nuts, and chocolate brownie. Plus the all-important scone with clotted cream and jam! Yours for £28.95.
The Peddler, Whitehaven
Bus service: Services into Whitehaven
Another afternoon tea that dares to be different – The Peddler serves a menu including quiche, Cumberland sausage roll, mini-burger slider, chicken goujons, lemon tarte, triple chocolate brownie and scone with jam and clotted cream. And the icing on the cake for bus travellers? The Peddler is in Whitehaven’s old Art Deco bus station, which is now a space for business start-ups and communal working. Prices from £26.50.
Dalemain Tearoom, Dalemain Mansion, near Penrith
Bus service: 509
A visit to Dalemain Tearoom could be on the menu after a walk – the gentle five-mile ‘Delemain Loop’ leads walkers through historic parkland, along River Eamont to Pooley Bridge and back via the charming village of Dacre. Dalemain is also known for the annual Marmalade Awards and Festival, and you can get a taste in the tearoom’s marmalade ginger cake. Afternoon tea is £34 and includes garden access. To book, call 01768 486450 and press option 1.
Dobbies Carlisle, Orton Grange Roundabout, Carlisle
Bus service: 300/400/600, 5-minute walk
Raise a glass of prosecco and say ‘shears’ to Dobbies’ Gardener’s Afternoon Tea. It could be just what you need to get reluctant family members to visit the garden centre. The menu’s a traditional three-tier offering and cheaper than most costing from £18.50 per person. The cake selection includes raspberry cheesecake, chocolate ganache and rosewater layer cake. To book, click here.
Afternoon G&Tea at Shed One, North Lonsdale Road, Ulverston
Bus service: 6/X6/6A
You’ll need to get into the spirit for this one – owners Andy and Zoe take diners on a tour of their distillery before sitting them down at a table dressed in traditional lace and linen. The afternoon tea incorporates botanicals used in their gins and vodkas, while the tea and coffee is made by Penningtons up the road in Kendal. The savoury bites, sweet treats and scones are all gluten free. Price per person is £29.75. Click here for dates and to book.
