With stately homes, garden cafés and historic tearooms, Northamptonshire is a wonderful place to indulge in afternoon tea. Each venue offers its own take on the British tradition, with delicate sandwiches, scones and patisserie often served alongside beautiful views. This guide lists venues across the county so you can plan your perfect tea outing.
South Northamptonshire & Towcester
Fawsley Hall Hotel & Spa
Experience: Afternoon tea served in the Tudor Hall. Location: Fawsley.
Enjoy afternoon tea amid 500 years of history in Fawsley Hall’s Tudor Great Hall. Expect finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones and miniature cakes, plus the option to add a glass of champagne. Afterwards, stroll through the landscaped gardens and past the parish church.
Whittlebury Park
Experience: Classic tea with comfy sofas and spa packages. Location: Whittlebury.
Take tea in Whittlebury Park’s lounge or estate garden. The menu features finger sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and patisserie. Pair your experience with a spa day for the ultimate treat.
Towcester Tea Rooms
Experience: Traditional afternoon tea in a cosy setting. Location: Watling Street, Towcester.
This independent tea room offers homemade cakes, scones and sandwiches on tiered stands. Book in advance to secure a table and enjoy a relaxed atmosphere overlooking the historic high street.
The Folly Inn
Experience: Afternoon tea with a modern twist. Location: Towcester.
The Folly’s chefs reinterpret classic afternoon tea with seasonal ingredients and creative patisserie. Dine in the light‑filled restaurant or, in warmer months, on the terrace overlooking the garden.
West Northamptonshire & Daventry
From Garden to Vase
Experience: Afternoon tea in a cutting garden. Location: Culworth.
Enjoy tea for two by the summerhouse at this flower farm. Feast on homemade cakes, scones and sandwiches then wander through the cutting garden to pick your own bouquet to take home.
Old Stableyard Tea Room
Experience: Generous cakes and savouries in a courtyard. Location: Holdenby House, near Althorp.
This tearoom is tucked away in the stableyard at Holdenby House. It serves large slices of homemade cake, sandwiches and cream teas. Outdoor seating is available in the courtyard.
Barton Hall Hotel
Experience: Afternoon tea with a view of the gardens. Location: Barton Seagrave.
Savour an elegant afternoon tea at Barton Hall’s orangery overlooking its landscaped grounds. Menus change seasonally and include vegan and gluten‑free options.
The Olde Coach House
Experience: Cream teas in a village inn. Location: Ashby St Ledgers.
This 17th‑century coaching inn serves scones with clotted cream, homemade cakes and sandwiches. Combine your tea with a walk around the charming village and its historic manor house.
North Northamptonshire & Kettering
Kettering Park Hotel & Spa
Experience: Afternoon tea in cosy lounges or the courtyard. Location: Kettering.
Relax in the hotel’s comfortable seating areas or enjoy tea al fresco in the courtyard. The menu features traditional finger sandwiches, homemade scones and patisserie, with optional prosecco or Champagne.
Rushton Hall Hotel
Experience: Luxury afternoon tea in a historic hall. Location: Rushton.
Rushton Hall’s afternoon tea is served in its panelled dining room or on the terrace overlooking formal gardens. Expect delicate sandwiches, freshly baked scones and exquisite cakes.
The Blitz Tea Room & Jazz Lounge
Experience: 1940s themed tea with live music. Location: Kettering.
Step back in time to the 1940s at this themed tea room. Enjoy classic sandwiches and cakes while listening to jazz and swing music. The décor includes wartime memorabilia and ration book menus.
Northampton & Environs
Delapré Abbey
Experience: Afternoon tea in the Billiard Room. Location: Northampton.
Enjoy afternoon tea in an elegant room overlooking the south lawn of Delapré Abbey. The menu features finger sandwiches, scones and cakes. Afterwards, explore the abbey gardens and parkland.
The Orangery Café
Experience: Family‑friendly afternoon tea. Location: Delapré Abbey, Northampton.
This spacious café offers a more casual afternoon tea, perfect for families. Enjoy sweet treats and savouries then wander around the abbey grounds.
The Workhouse Brixworth
Experience: Contemporary café with cakes and artisan coffee. Location: Brixworth.
While primarily a brunch spot, the Workhouse also serves homemade cakes and specialist coffee. Sit in the minimalist café or outside when the weather is fine.
Beckworth Emporium
Experience: Glasshouse restaurant for afternoon tea and shopping. Location: Moulton.
This garden centre café offers afternoon tea in a light‑filled glasshouse. Enjoy finger sandwiches, scones and patisserie then browse the plant nursery and food hall.
The Falcon
Experience: Refined afternoon tea in a country house hotel. Location: Castle Ashby.
The Falcon at Castle Ashby offers afternoon tea made with local ingredients and served with views of the rural estate. The menu often changes with the seasons.
Jeyes Apothocoffee Shop
Experience: Tearoom with apothecary twist. Location: Earls Barton.
This unique venue combines a tearoom with a mini museum celebrating the family’s history of medicine. Afternoon tea includes homemade cakes and savouries, and you can visit the gift shop afterwards.
Sweet Peas Tearoom
Experience: Cream teas at a stately home. Location: Kelmarsh Hall.
Enjoy cream teas and light lunches in the tearoom at Kelmarsh Hall. The café overlooks the walled garden and is a peaceful spot to relax after a tour of the house.
Woodmeadow Garden Centre Tearoom
Experience: Tea and cakes among plants. Location: Hannington.
Savour homemade cakes, sandwiches and afternoon teas in the cosy tearoom at Woodmeadow Garden Centre. After tea, browse the plant nursery and gift shop.
Manvell Farm Tearoom
Experience: Farm‑based tearoom with local produce. Location: Walgrave.
Located next to a fishery, this tearoom serves sandwiches, cakes and ice cream made from local ingredients. Sit outside to watch anglers at the lake.
This selection showcases some of the best places to enjoy afternoon tea across Northamptonshire. Whether you favour stately homes, cosy village tearooms or garden centre cafés, you’ll find a treat to suit your taste.
