Time for tea with Pride of Britain Hotels

As autumn days draw in, there’s nothing quite as quintessentially British as a good afternoon tea. Partake in this great tradition at one of the Pride of Britain Hotels which, all privately-owned and individual themselves, offer different afternoon tea experiences, too. From teas fit for gentlemen and Winnie-the-Pooh-themed menus to the perfect, lavish London treat – there’s something for everyone, whatever happens to be your cup of tea.

Afternoon tea... with a rosebud martini
Guinness World Record-breaking hotel The Feathers, in Oxfordshire, boasts the most extensive gin bar in the UK, housing over 162 gins from across the world. Starting with a rosebud martini, The Feathers’ Gin Afternoon Tea also includes Hendricks-cured salmon and rye-bread sandwiches, cucumber jelly, white chocolate truffles, pistachio pavlova, macaroons and three different types of scone: plain, sultana and granola. There’s also a refreshing mandarin, blueberry gin and green tea foam cleanser. Afternoon tea costs £28 pp.
A night’s B&B costs from £165 for a double room, two sharing.

Afternoon tea... fit for a Queen
Tucked away between Buckingham Palace and Victoria, The Goring offers the epitome of traditional afternoon tea. Recognised with a Tea Guild Award of Excellence in 2012, The Goring Afternoon Tea is a lavish affair featuring all the usual (and delicious) suspects – freshly-baked scones with clotted cream and jam, finger sandwiches and the most fabulous fancies – plus some more unique touches: eggs savoury, lemon shortcake and strawberry mousse, Eton mess and lemon curd roulade. Afternoon tea costs £37.50 pp. Add a glass of Bollinger for £10.
A night’s B&B costs from £420 for a King Bedded double room, two sharing.

Afternoon tea... with Pooh Bear
Surrounded by the Ashdown Forest – of A.A.Milne fame – Ashdown Park Hotel in East Sussex is the perfect spot for a Winnie-the-Pooh-themed tea. Tuck into delicious Hunny sandwiches, Kanga cup cakes, Tigger’s sponge, Rabbit’s carrot sticks, Roo’s fruit salad and Owl’s Popped Corn, washed down with a glass of milk or squash. Have it packed in a picnic hamper to enjoy Christopher Robin-style, or indulge indoors in a log fire-warmed drawing room. Pooh-Bear tea costs £5.95 per child. Traditional afternoon tea for adults costs from £22 pp.
A night’s B&B costs from £199, based on a family of four sharing.

Afternoon tea... for gentlemen
A far cry from dainty cakes and finely-cut cucumber sandwiches, The Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea at The Chester Grosvenor is a hearty affair for the discerning man-about-town. Crusty doorstep sandwiches – filled with beef and horseradish, chicken or egg mayonnaise – chunky chips and local Appleby Cheshire cheese will quell the manliest of appetites, as will the filling fruit cake, rich brownie and pot of tea. Intersperse tea-sipping with games of backgammon and newspaper-reading. Afternoon tea costs £25 pp.
A night’s B&B costs from £195 for a double room, two sharing.

Afternoon tea... all locally-sourced
While away a few hours at South Lodge in the Sussex Downs with an afternoon tea that includes a glass of local (and award-winning) Nyetimber sparkling wine. It’s not just the fizz which is locally-produced; delicate finger sandwiches are filled with Henfield smoked salmon (from six miles down the road) and cream cheese, egg mayonnaise is made with eggs from nearby Hanes Farm and there’s also locally-cured ham with English mustard. Then, make room for freshly-baked scones with jam and clotted cream, plus homemade pastries. Afternoon tea costs £32.50 pp.
A night’s B&B costs from £195 for a double room, two sharing.

Pride of Britain Hotels’ website provides a constantly updated list of late booking availability and special offers. To book afternoon tea, or an overnight stay, visit prideofbritainhotels.com.

Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, Pride of Britain Hotels is also the official hotel partner to the National Trust, with many of the hotels located near to one or more National Trust properties.