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Hey there tea lovers! Are you on the hunt for the perfect spot to enjoy an unforgettable afternoon tea in Cambridge?
As a self-proclaimed afternoon tea connoisseur and frequent visitor to this beautiful city (thanks to my boyfriend’s family living there), I’ve had the pleasure of sipping tea and devouring delectable treats at countless venues.
It’s only natural that I know a thing or two about the best places for afternoon tea in Cambridge.
There’s something about celebrating special occasions with an afternoon tea and my loved ones that just puts a smile on my face. And let me tell you, Cambridge has no shortage of wonderful options for your next tea-time outing.
From charming tea rooms to stunning hotels, the city is bursting with fabulous places to satisfy your cravings for scones, sandwiches, and of course, endless cups of tea. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
Top Places to Enjoy Afternoon Tea in Cambridge
1. Fitzbillies
If you’re looking for an authentic and traditional afternoon tea experience, you really can’t go wrong with Fitzbillies on Trumpington Street. This place is a Cambridge institution, and an absolute must-visit for any Cambridge itinerary.
This charming bakery and cafe has been serving the people of Cambridge since 1920, and still uses old-school stainless steel teapots and sugar bowls to this day.
This isn’t the fanciest of afternoon teas in Cambridge – the tiled walls and practical tables are fairly no-frills, but it’s cosy, it’s homely, and the food here is to die for!
What sets Fitzbillies apart from other tearooms and hotels is that all the baked goods are made inhouse, in their own Cambridge bakery.
From the bread for the yummy finger sandwiches to the moreish scones and delicate macarons, everything is freshly baked on-site.
There’s nothing quite like a freshly-baked afternoon tea.
Their classic afternoon tea selection includes the typical spread of mini cakes, finger sandwiches, and fruit scones with raspberry jam and cream, and it’s only served at their Trumpington Street Branch.
However, if you’re in a rush or looking for a smaller treat, you can enjoy a Cambridge cream tea (tea and scones with jam and cream) at both of their branches.
Fitzbillies is also available for afternoon tea picnics! If you want to go punting in Cambridge with afternoon tea, this is the way to do it!
You can order your picnic online and collect it from one of their branches, to enjoy it on your punt or have afternoon tea in Cambridge by the river.
2. Six Brasserie at the Varsity Hotel
For stunning panoramic views of Cambridge and a luxurious afternoon tea experience, head to Six Brasserie at The Varsity Hotel. Located on the sixth floor of the hotel, this is the place to enjoy sweeping views of the city as you dine.
Their afternoon tea selection includes freshly made finger sandwiches, scones served warm with clotted cream and jam, and a selection of unique and oh-so-delicious cakes.
What sets Six Brasserie apart is their speciality tea selection created by their very own Master Blenders.
Yup, they take their tea very seriously here!
Vegetarians, or gluten-free? No worries, Six Brasserie can create an afternoon tea that caters to you.
Unfortunately, if you’re looking for a vegan afternoon tea in Cambridge you won’t be able to find it here – though there are vegan and dairy-free dishes available on their à la carte menu.
Is it a special occasion? Perfect! At Six Brasserie you can upgrade your experience to a Cambridge champagne afternoon tea for a splash of luxury (and bubbles, of course)!
With its stunning views, fresh scones, and speciality teas, Six Brasserie at The Varsity Hotel is a top contender for the best afternoon tea in Cambridge.
3. Parker’s Tavern at the University Arms Hotel
For a creative twist on a classic afternoon tea, head over to Parker’s Tavern at the University Arms in Cambridge.
This charming venue draws inspiration from the city’s literary legacy, infusing their menu with delicious, seasonal creations with a literary twist.
As you enter the restaurant, you’ll be greeted by bookshelves and shades of that unique hue of Cambridge blue, creating a cosy and inviting atmosphere that’ll make you want to linger for a while.
Their afternoon teas rotate seasonally, ensuring that you’ll always find fresh and exciting flavours on the menu here.
One of the highlights of their summer afternoon tea, for example, is the Pimm’s macaroons – adding an English summer twist to an afternoon tea classic.
Other summer treats on offer include their Duke of Cambridge tart, and lemon and elderflower drizzle cake.
Parker’s Tavern’s unique approach to afternoon tea makes it one of the most quirky afternoon tea options in Cambridge. They even offer a gluten-free afternoon tea option, although you’ll need to call ahead to arrange this.
With its literary-inspired decor and scrumptious bites, Parker’s Tavern is definitely worth a visit.
It’s also located just a stone’s throw from many of Cambridge’s top attractions, making it the perfect spot to rest and refuel after embarking on one of Cambridge’s many fascinating walking tours.
4. Browns Brasserie
Afternoon tea is a quintessential British tradition, there’s no doubt about that, and there’s arguably no better place to indulge in this delicious experience than Browns in Cambridge.
This national chain serves up delicious afternoon teas all across the country, and they have a reputation for high quality.
I’ve personally enjoyed a Browns Brasserie afternoon tea in Covent Garden, London, and it was perfect. I’ve got every confidence that their branch in Cambridge serves up afternoon teas that are just as good.
What sets Browns apart is their fantastic drink selection. Sure, they serve up wonderful cups of tea (using Good Earth brews). But they also cater to those looking for something more refreshing like a G&T or a glass of bubbles.
That means this is yet another place you can enjoy a champagne afternoon tea in Cambridge!
Of course, no afternoon tea is complete without sandwiches and sweets! The sandwich selection boasts classic fillings such as egg mayo, ham and mustard, and (my favourite) smoked salmon and cream cheese.
Scones come with your choice of strawberry or blackcurrant jam, and mini cakes round off the experience perfectly.
5. Carriages Tea Room
Welcome to Carriages Tea Room in Cambridge, also known as the Cambridge afternoon tea train! You’ll have to travel outside of the city centre to enjoy this unique experience, but I’m sure you’ll agree that it’s worth it.
Once you arrive at Carriages, you’ll be immediately transported back to the golden age of luxury rail travel.
The tea room is housed at an authentic 1920s train station, and afternoon tea is served aboard the three train carriages, called Oliver, Lancelot, and Louis.
And, before you ask – no, this isn’t like the dirty and battered train you probably used to get to Cambridge today. This is a luxury train, baby! Inside, you’ll find individual armchairs and truthful recreation of the fancy trains of yesteryear.
No detail has been overlooked – they even have their own Victorian Garden which they use to source local ingredients.
I’m pretty sure Cambridge is the only place where you can have afternoon tea on a train! A train that’s one of the prettiest tea rooms in Cambridge, no less!
The afternoon tea service is offered Tuesday through Saturday at two sittings; 12.30pm and 3.30pm. It’s the perfect way to spend an afternoon catching up with friends or spending quality time with family.
So why not travel back in time and indulge in the luxurious atmosphere of Carriages Tea Room Cambridge? It’s certainly the most unique afternoon tea in Cambridge!
6. The Orchard Tea Garden
If you’re looking for an afternoon tea that’s steeped in history and tradition, look no further than The Orchard Tea Garden in Grantchester, just a short distance outside of Cambridge. This charming garden oasis has been an essential part of Cambridge life for over 125 years.
One of the things that makes this destination so special is its timeless appeal. You can enjoy afternoon tea outdoors under the trees in summer or snuggle up in the Rupert Brooke room during the colder months.
It’s a place that’s determined to remain “forever England”, providing a calm and peaceful respite from the stresses of Cambridge life.
When it comes to the menu, you can expect all the traditional elements of an English afternoon tea, including assorted meat and vegetarian finger sandwiches and freshly baked sultana or plain scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Yum!
Another thing that sets The Orchard apart is their signature house specialty – bread and butter soaked in honey. It’s a unique twist on a classic that you won’t find anywhere else.
Afternoon tea is available between 12.00pm and 3.30pm with a minimum 24-hour booking. So why not take a stroll, bike ride or punt trip away from the city centre and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at The Orchard Tea Garden?
It’s one of the best places to visit near Cambridge!
7. The Ivy
If you’re looking for a stylish and sophisticated spot to indulge in afternoon tea, look no further than The Ivy, on Trinity Street in central Cambridge.
This colourful venue boasts all the hallmarks of a classic British brasserie and offers afternoon tea every day of the week, from 3-5pm.
At The Ivy, you don’t just enjoy a normal afternoon tea. Oh no – here, it’s called the Dream Afternoon Tea. But what is theDream Afternoon Tea? Well, it’s just a normal afternoon tea that they’ve added their branding to, haha.
Marketing ploy aside, this is still a very solid recommendation for the best afternoon tea in Cambridge.
Here, you can expect a mouth-watering selection of sandwiches, including chicken and truffle mayo brioche and smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches. And of course, no afternoon tea would be complete without freshly baked fruit scones.
The sweet offering at The Ivy is where the chef’s inventiveness shines through, with cakes including a Black Bee honey and almond macaron, a dark chocolate and honeycomb dessert, and a red velvet raspberry cake. Sounds delicious, right?
The Ivy is the ideal destination for anyone looking to add a touch of glamour to their afternoon tea experience. Champagne afternoon tea is also available for those who want to add a little extra sparkle to their day in Cambridge.
8. Gonville Hotel
For an afternoon tea experience that’s truly special, look no further than The Gonville Hotel in central Cambridge.
This four-star establishment is known for its elegance and sophistication, and their Terrace Restaurant is the ideal setting for a luxurious afternoon tea.
One of the things that makes afternoon tea at The Gonville Hotel so special is their sandwich selection. They’ve covered all bases here – fillings feature include chicken coronation, beef and horseradish, and smoked salmon with avocado.
If you have a sweet tooth, you’re not going to be left behind. The selection of sweet treats includes freshly-baked fruit or plain scones, delicate macarons, and mini desserts.
The tea selection at The Gonville Hotel is arguably the most impressive part of the entire experience. You don’t just have to settle for standard English Breakfast tea here.
Oh, no – here, you can choose from a variety of blends, including Japanese Cherry, Royal Scottish, and Gunpowder (a type of green tea).
You’re sure to find a delicious and adventurous blend that suits your tastes.
They serve afternoon tea here from Wednesday to Sunday from 2:30pm until 4:30pm, in the hotel’s Terrace Restaurant. It’s important to book in advance, but trust me – it’s well worth it for an afternoon tea that’s special occasion-worthy.
And if you really want to add a touch of sparkle to your day, you can opt to add prosecco or champagne.
9. Clayton Hotel
Looking for a delightful afternoon tea experience at a picturesque venue? Look no further than the Clayton Hotel in Cambridge, right next to the stunning Cambridge University Botanic Gardens.
Here you’ll be able to kick back and indulge in a scrumptious spread while soaking in the beautiful backdrop at their Tamburlaine Restaurant.
What sets the Clayton Hotel’s afternoon tea apart is the attention to every detail of their afternoon tea. From the perfect scone with fresh cream and jam to an array of sweet treats, every bite is crafted to perfection.
Craving something boozy? Choose from a variety of bubbles and cocktails to accompany your afternoon tea!
Conveniently located a minute’s walk from the main train station, Clayton Hotel is an ideal spot for visitors to Cambridge.
They also offer family-friendly afternoon tea options like a children’s afternoon tea or a cream tea consisting of scones with clotted cream and jam, paired with a refreshing cup of tea.
I didn’t come across any other Cambridge afternoon tea options in my research, so if you’re looking for a family-friendly option, The Clayton Hotel is your best bet.
Overall, Clayton Hotel offers an exceptional afternoon tea that’s sure to impress visitors of all ages. Hooray!
Afternoon Tea Etiquette for First Timers
If you’re not from the UK, or even if you are but haven’t had an afternoon tea before, you may feel slightly intimidated by the idea of afternoon tea. I know. It sounds very fancy and formal!
There’s no need to worry, though.
Nowadays, afternoon tea is fairly casual and there aren’t really any faux pas you can make that would make you look silly. You can’t really go wrong!
As a general rule, when you’re enjoying your afternoon tea in Cambridge, all of your food will come out on a tiered tray at once. The sandwiches will be on the bottom tier, the cakes on the middle tier, and your scones on the top tier.
You’ll also get the choice of tea or filter coffee, and, usually, you’re welcome to ask for top-ups of your brew as many times as you like. Normally, people in the UK refer to English Breakfast tea as simply “tea”.
If you want a tea that’s not English Breakfast, you’ll have to specify that.
It’s not very common to have other types of tea with afternoon tea, but it’s not weird or anything – Brits just really, really love English Breakfast tea!
You traditionally eat your afternoon tea from the bottom to the top – starting with the sandwiches on the bottom tier, then the cakes, then the scone.
Unless you’re somewhere really fancy (and none of the places I have mentioned in this blog post are like that) nobody will judge you if you eat things in a different order. It’s your life, do what you want!
Afternoon tea is Cambridge is fairly expensive by UK standards (try afternoon tea in Liverpool for something more affordable), but still not extortionate – you won’t break the bank.
FAQs About Afternoon Tea in Cambridge
What do you wear for afternoon tea in Cambridge?
In Cambridge, it’s totally fine to wear whatever you were wearing for the day to afternoon tea. It’s fine to dress up if you’d like, but it’s also totally normal to keep things casual these days. Only some of the very fanciest afternoon tea venues in the U.K. still have an afternoon tea dress code, and none of those venues are on this list.
What is the difference between afternoon tea and high tea?
The main difference between afternoon tea and high tea is the time of day they are served. Afternoon tea is typically served in the mid-afternoon and consists of light refreshments, while high tea is served later in the day and includes heavier, more substantial food.
What is the difference between afternoon tea and cream tea?
While both afternoon tea and cream tea involve tea and scones, the key difference is that cream tea is a simpler version, consisting only of tea and scones with clotted cream and jam. Afternoon tea, on the other hand, includes an array of mini cakes and sandwiches as well, so it’s more filling.
How do I book afternoon tea in Cambridge?
Booking an afternoon tea in Cambridge is easy! You can reserve your spot by calling the venue directly or by booking online through their website or platforms like OpenTable. Some venues also offer the option to email them and make a reservation.
Enjoy your Cambridge afternoon tea!
