Afternoon tea in Cheltenham

If you’re looking for somewhere to go for afternoon tea in Cheltenham, you’ve come to the right place. This guide lists places that offer a delicious afternoon tea in the beautiful Regency Spa town of Cheltenham. I’ve put it in alphabetical order by restaurant. If you’re interested in other places nearby where you can enjoy a hot drink and a scone, check out my afternoon tea in Worcestershire post, which includes cafés in the quaint Cotswold village of Broadway.

Most places serving afternoon tea in Cheltenham do require you to book in advance.

Afternoon tea in Cheltenham town

Doubletree by Hilton

Doubletree by Hilton serves afternoon tea with speciality teas and coffees both in the bar and on the terrace. They also have a full bar service and the hotel is in a beautiful setting. It’s dog friendly too. I can’t find the afternoon tea menu online, but you can read my review of a stay at the Doubletree by Hilton.

Ellenborough Park

Ellenborough Park offer a brilliant selection of tea and coffee including homemade infusions of mint or ginger. With that, you’ll be served a selection of savouries and sandwiches, sweet treats and scones that are fresh from the oven. Add a glass of fizz, a gin and tonic or a cocktail or order a miniature afternoon tea for the kids. Served from 2 to 4.30 pm.

Hotel du Vin

Enjoy one of four different afternoon tea menus at Cheltenham’s boutique Hotel du Vin. Each one is designed to cater for a different dietary requirement. Choose a standard afternoon tea with sweet and savoury treats. Choose a unique blend of tea or upgrade to champagne. They can cater for gluten and nut allergies as well as vegetarians and vegans.

Huffkins Tea Rooms

Enjoy a classic afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and jam, a selection of cakes and a hot drink of your choice at Huffkins. Upgrade to a celebration afternoon tea and enjoy a gin and tonic or Prosecco alongside your treats. It is also worth noting that Huffkins provide hampers and gift sets so you can enjoy afternoon tea at home.

Kibou

Kibou is a Japanese Kitchen and Bar in Cheltenham’s Regent Arcade. Served Sunday to Friday from 2.30 to 4.30 pm, this Japanese-inspired afternoon tea is ideal if you’re looking for something a little different. Enjoy California rolls, salmon tataki, mango salsa, sea bream nigiri, yuzu cheesecake, Japanese tartlets, mochi ice cream, custard dorayaki and strawberry compote. A vegetarian alternative is available. The food is served with your choice of Japanese tea infusions or upgrade to an accompanying drinks package. This could include Champagne, a cocktail, sake or matcha tea.

Malmaison

Malmaison Cheltenham provides delicious and beautifully presented afternoon teas including vegetarian, vegan, gluten free and nut free options. This is a slightly unusual take on afternoon tea. Think patty with relish, wraps, rolls, flatbreads and salads along with scones and a variety of cakes. Upgrade from tea or coffee to prosecco or a cocktail or choose a cream tea for a lighter appetite.

Memsahib’s Lounge

Memsahib’s is a popular Indian restaurant on the Promenade in Cheltenham. Their afternoon tea is an absolute dream for anybody who wants to try something a little out of the ordinary. Dishes include vegetable momo, tumerick matcha sorbet, vegetable samosa and gulab jamun cheesecake. This is accompanied by a pot of Masala chai or you can choose to upgrade to a gin and tonic.

Once Upon a Tea Room

Once Upon a Tea Room is a Regency Tea Room located between Pitville Park and the town centre. Their afternoon tea includes sandwiches, scones cake, crumble, biscuits, cheesecake and parfait. This is accompanied by bottomless tea or you can upgreade to Champagne, Prosecco or Teapot cocktails. For a little extra entertainment, decorate biscuits or cupcakes while you eat and drink with a “crafternoon tea”. If you live within 10 miles of the tea room, you can order various afternoon teas as takeaways for delivery or collection.

Revolution

Revolution are proud of their twist on the classic afternoon tea. They offer vegetarian and vegan options and you can add Prosecco or cocktails for a little extra luxury. Far from the usual finger sandwiches, Revolution’s afternoon teas includes burgers, fries, waffles and cheesecake. These can be purchased as a gift with an afternoon tea experience gift card.

The Find

The Find is another place offering a slightly unusual afternoon tea, but this one does include the classic scones, jam and clotted cream. You can also enjoy regency eggs and sausage rolls along with savoury sliders and handmade cakes. This is served with tea or coffee, unless you want to upgrade to prosecco or a “tipsy teapot”. If you don’t want to eat in, this is available as a takeaway or picnic.

The Greenway Hotel and Spa

Served daily from 2.30 to 4.30 pm, you can enjoy an afternoon tea in the Garden Room Restaurant or out on the terrace of the Greenway Hotel and Spa. Finger sandwiches, cakes and treats are on the menu and you can add a little extra luxury with a glass of bubbly.

The Ivy Montpellier Brasserie

The Ivy doesn’t currently appear to be serving afternoon tea. You can purchase it as a gift on their website, but it does say that the menu will only be available at selected locations. However, in the past they have served a selection of afternoon teas including an Alice in Wonderland one for kids during school holidays. So, I’ve included it here because if your heart is set on going to the Ivy for afternoon tea, it is well worth giving them a call to see if they’re serving it during your visit.

The Nook

Classic afternoon tea with a modern twist is on offer at the Nook. Think pastries, sandwiches, scones and a selection of premium tea. Add sparkling wine or champagne as an upgrade and you can also make it vegan, vegetarian or gluten free. The Nook takes tea seriously and options include Earl Grey, Mao Feng and chamomile.

The Queens Hotel

One of the most popular places to eat in Cheltenham is the Queens Hotel. From midday to 4 pm each day, head into Dukes Tea Room to enjoy sandwiches, scones, sweet treats and your choice of tea. You can also upgrade to wine or champagne, or opt for a bottomless afternoon tea with an hour and a half of unlimited Drusian Prosecco. For children, there’s an Alice in Wonderland afternoon tea that comes with their choice of sandwich, a scone with clotted cream and jam, sweet treats and a hot chocolate. Vegetarian and gluten free afternoon teas are available on request.

The Regency Tea Rooms

Afternoon tea at the Regency Tea Rooms is cheaper if you team up with a friend. Sandwiches, fresh scones with clotted cream and jam and a selection of cakes are on offer along with a pot of loose leaf tea. Gluten free and vegan options are available, and you can add a glass of Prosecco as an upgrade.

Afternoon tea in Cheltenham’s surrounding villages

Cowley Manor

Cowley Manor is a contemporary hotel set in a large country house in the village of Cowley just outside of Cheltenham. But as it has a Cheltenham address and does a rather excellent afternoon tea, it is worthy of inclusion here. It is served from 2.30 to 4 pm daily and the menu choices are:

• Cream tea
• Full afternoon tea – sandwiches, savouries, scones with clotted cream and jam, sweet treats and a choice of tea or coffee
• Savoury afternoon tea – sandwiches and savouries with cheeses, charcuterie and a choice of tea or coffee
• Champagne afternoon tea – a full afternoon tea served with a glass of champagne

Lords of the Manor

Lords of the Manor is a Luxury hotel in Upper Slaughter. Whilst it is not in the town centre, Lords of the Manor has a Cheltenham address and deserves a place here due to the popularity of its afternoon teas. Relax on the lawn when weather permits, or take a seat by the log fire in the lounge and enjoy the view through the window when it gets cold. Full afternoon tea includes finger sandwiches, quiche, scones, clotted cream, jam, pastries adn cakes along with your choice of tea or coffee. For lighter appetites, opt for the smaller cream tea.