10 Spots for the Best Afternoon Tea in Somerset
In the mood for tiny sandwiches, scones, jam and all the other scrumptious additions to an afternoon tea? If you’re in Somerset, there are tonnes of spots to check out for seriously good food, tasty tea and a great atmosphere. We’ve rounded up the very best places, from cosy pubs to elegant dining, so you can find the very best afternoon tea in Somerset to suit your individual taste.
England is the place to visit for afternoon tea, since it was invented right here back in 1840 when Anna, seventh Duchess of Bedford, decided it was socially acceptable to drink tea and eat tiny cakes at any time of the day.
You’ll find some fantastic options for afternoon tea all over the country (and plenty of afternoon teas in London if you’re visiting the capital), but for some of the best, it has to be Somerset.
If you’re heading for a day out in Somerset and want to include a tasty afternoon tea while you’re there, we’ve rounded up the very best ones from all over the county. Napkins at the ready… let’s go in search of the best afternoon tea in Somerset.
10 Spots for the Best Afternoon Tea in Somerset
1. Mr Miles Tea Rooms, Taunton
3-4 High Street, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 3PG
Price: From £18.50 per person
If you’re looking for the best afternoon tea Taunton has to offer, there are a few! But Mr Miles Tea Rooms is a top contender for the best of the bunch. This tea room came highly commended as the Best Independent Tea / Coffee Shop of the Year in the Somerset Life Food & Drink Awards in 2017, and has maintained its excellent reputation as a fixture of Taunton’s high street.
Their menu offers plenty to suit all tastes and requirements, and they cater to larger groups too so if you’re planning a birthday celebration, hen do weekend or something else, you can rest assured they’ll make sure there are enough scones to go around, and Prosecco is available to add on for good measure!
With classic tasty finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and homemade cakes and sweets for if you’re still peckish afterwards (although we doubt it), you can tuck in to all this served on the traditional 3-tiered stand to make the occasion feel really special. They can tweak your tea to whatever your dietary requirements are too, so vegetarians and those who eat gluten-free are all welcome. This could easily be the best afternoon tea in Somerset.
2. Lion Rock Tea Rooms, Cheddar
The Cliffs, Cheddar, BS27 3QE
Price: From £18.95 per person
Lion Rock Tea Rooms is the best afternoon tea in Cheddar, and might just be the best afternoon tea in Somerset. The Somerset Life Food & Drink Awards were good to this spot too in 2018, as they took home the award for the Tea/Coffee Shop of the Year — so you know you’re getting good tea when you visit this one.
Lion Rock has existed in Cheddar for over 100 years, and the vintage aesthetic inside give an atmosphere you won’t forget. Sit in one of six different themed rooms that feature toasty wood burners and open fires to make it a must-visit in winter, as well as a beautiful garden for summer visits.
Let’s talk treats; their extensive menu offers breakfast, lunch and Sunday lunch, but it’s the cream tea and afternoon tea options that keep people coming back time after time. With plenty of different kinds of afternoon teas to choose from including their ‘Gin & Tea’ featuring a G&T, this could certainly be the best afternoon tea in Somerset, if not one of.
Want to do more in Cheddar after your tea? Check out the 7 best Cheddar Gorge walks to hike off that cheese.
3. Odette’s Tearoom, Wellington
27 High St, Wellington, TA21 8QT
Price: From £16.95 per person
Have you spotted that cute little green box on the high street in Wellington? That’s Odette’s Tearoom, another fantastic tearoom to add to your list. This one is known for its afternoon tea, with scrumptious homemade cakes and freshly sliced sandwiches that will have you wondering… how many is acceptable to eat in one sitting??
The atmosphere inside offers traditional Somerset vibes with a pinch of French elegance, so it really is one to book for a special occasion. And the selection on offer is second-to-none; choose from a traditional afternoon tea, a Gentleman’s afternoon tea complete with yummy cheese scones, a Somerset cream tea for out-of-towners who want to try the local flavours, a Chocoholics cream tea for sweet toothed visitors, and for those who can never decide between fruit scones or plain, their Thunder & Lightning cream tea combines one of each so you never have to choose again.
If you’re looking for the best afternoon tea in Somerset, Odette’s has so many options you’re bound to find the one for you.
4. The Blitz Tearoom, Weston-Super-Mare
22 Waterloo St, Weston-super-Mare, BS23 1LN
Price: From £16.95 per person
If you like your afternoon tea with a side of English history, The Blitz Tearoom is a must-visit while in Somerset. This quaint cafe lets you step back in time to the 1940s with war-time memorabilia and all the nostalgic you need. If you’re particularly patriotic, there are Union Jacks everywhere, and lots to look at while you eat your afternoon tea, and afterwards. You’ll choose from the ‘ration book’ (but don’t worry, the portion sizes are plentiful!) offering breakfast, lunch, homemade cakes, and of course, their afternoon tea. You can add on a glass of Prosecco or a local ale if you’re in the mood.
Going for the afternoon tea? Great choice. You can choose from either the Vera Lynn or the Winston Churchill. The Vera Lynn features three sandwiches with a choice of fillings, two homemade fruit or plain scones, jam and clotted cream, a slice of their homemade cake, plus their house loose leaf tea.
The Winston Churchill is similar but for those with a more savoury tooth. It offers tasty homemade cheese scones with cream cheese and chutney instead, plus a pork pie and a slice of homemade quiche. Sit back, take in the 40s music playing in the background, and enjoy what is definitely the best afternoon tea in Somerset for history lovers, and possibly the best afternoon tea north Somerset has to offer.
5. Abbey Tearooms, Glastonbury
16 Magdalene St, Glastonbury, BA6 9EH
Price: £POA
Afternoon tea with a view!
The lovely Abbey Tearooms are named as such due to their unique viewpoint overlooking Glastonbury Abbey – one of the best abbeys in England – so it’s a great one to add to your day out if you’re in the area. Their afternoon tea promises to come surrounded by stunning flowers and served on fine china, and of course features homemade scones with jam and clotted cream, classic cucumber sandwiches, and a slice of Victoria sponge. If you’re mainly there for the tea, you’ll love their selection of twelve teas and herbal infusions.
They proudly use locally sourced ingredients, and offer many different versions for all tastes; aside from the traditional, you can choose from the Somerset cream tea, the Glastonbury tea, the Savory tea, or the Celebration tea. Which will you choose?
Abbey Tearooms is also dog-friendly — good news for well-behaved pooches looking for the best afternoon tea in Somerset.
6. The Castle, Taunton
Castle Grn, Taunton, TA1 1NF
Price: From £24.95 per person
The Castle Hotel offers afternoon tea in a beautifully historic setting, where you’ll always tuck into finger sandwiches and scones with a smile on your face. Their selection of amazing homemade cakes and pastries are made in their in-house patisserie.
Taking place in their art deco inspired Drawing Room, afternoon tea at The Castle is always a special occasion and one you’ll enjoy sharing with someone special.
The Castle is all about high standards, from their food to their service, so you’re bound to have a great time here and leave feeling incredibly welcome and satisfied.
7. The Pump Room, Bath
Searcys at the Pump Room, Stall St, Bath, BA1 1LZ
Price: From £35 per person
If you’re looking for something seriously fancy to do in Somerset, it doesn’t get much more elegant that a visit to the Pump Room in Bath for a delicious afternoon tea. With previous guests including the likes of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, you’re in good company.
Your Pump Room Chandon Afternoon Tea here will be incredibly special, since you can sample the spa water from the fountain and listen to their resident pianist play soft music to accompany your tea. This has to be the best afternoon tea Bath has to offer.
Dig into your traditional sandwiches, cakes and scones, and choose to wash it all down with a glass of Chandon sparkling wine. For a non-alcoholic version, their Strawberry, Elderflower and Ginger Fizz mocktail is a favourite.
8. The Emporium, Yeovil
39 Princes Street, Yeovil, BA20 1EG
Price: £POA
If you’re on the hunt for an afternoon tea near Yeovil Somerset, The Emporium should definitely be on your list. Part cafe, part eclectic shop of weird and wonderful treasures, this is an afternoon tea experience you certainly won’t have come across before.
Whether you visit their shop before or after your afternoon tea, don’t miss it. You’ll find, well, everything! They specialise in selling “one of a kind and hard to find goods”, which are all either collected or made by the owners. You can choose to go for their traditional afternoon tea or opt for the Emporium Style afternoon tea and upgrade to Prosecco or a cocktail for extra pizzazz.
If neither are your cup of tea, you can also select from your choice of an Afternoon Cheese, a Gentleman’s Afternoon Tea, or a Before Noon Tea, which features buttermilk pancakes with blueberry conserve. Your mouth will be watering from the moment you arrive. This is undoubtedly the best afternoon tea in Somerset if you’re visiting Yeovil.
9. Hestercombe House and Gardens, Taunton
Hestercombe, Taunton, TA2 8LG
Price: From £19.95 per person
Taunton has a lot of the best afternoon teas on our list, and they certainly know what they’re doing in that area. A Hestercombe afternoon tea is a must-do while visiting; their Stables area dishes up homemade brunch, lunch or afternoon tea, and the gardens are free to anyone so you can make a day of it and enjoy the surroundings. Whether inside or outside, Hestercombe offers a beautiful atmosphere that you’ll love.
Their afternoon teas are available in savoury or sweet options, so you can choose the perfect one for you. Highlights of the tiered tower include their honey and mustard glazed ham and tomato chutney roll, their egg mayo finger sandwiches, the caramelised onion hummus wrap and the spicy cauliflower fritter — perfection!
And of course, we couldn’t put Hestercombe in the running for best afternoon tea in Somerset without mentioning their mini cakes, sweet or savoury scones, and loose leaf tea. All the makings of a great afternoon.
10. Charlton House Hotel & Spa, Shepton Mallet
Charlton Rd, Glastonbury, Shepton Mallet, BA4 4PR
Price: From £22 per person
A Charlton House afternoon tea is always a great time. If you’re visiting the Mendip Hills (Shepton Mallet, to be precise) and looking for a tasty, relaxing way to spend a couple of hours, Charlton House Hotel & Spa offers a great place to get your scone on.
Perfect for a stop-over if you’re out exploring the countryside on a long walk, this afternoon tea is available in their lounge area or in the restaurant, both of which offer a lovely, welcoming atmosphere with a rustic feel.
With a classic selection of finger sandwiches, homemade scones that come with local Mendip clotted cream and jam, and plenty of cakes, tea and coffee, it’s a great spot for a celebration or just a day out with your significant other. Either way, an add-on glass of Champagne or Prosecco won’t go amiss! Whether or not they can tempt you with a visit to the spa on your day out in Shepton Mallet, this could just be the best afternoon tea in Somerset if you like luxury.
—
Somerset is jam packed with brilliant afternoon teas to choose from, and if you’re looking for the best afternoon tea in Somerset, we’re pretty sure you’ll find it on this list. Whether you’re treating someone for a special occasion or just LOVE an afternoon tea and find yourself booking one every weekend, you’ll find something in Somerset to suit you.
Want to check out more of the beautiful county of Somerset while you’re there? We highly recommend a visit to one of the 10 best towns in Somerset.
Quick List: 10 Spots for the Best Afternoon Tea in Somerset
- Mr Miles Tea Rooms, Taunton
- Lion Rock Tea Rooms, Cheddar
- Odette’s Tearoom, Wellington
- The Blitz Tearoom, Weston-Super-Mare
- Abbey Tearooms, Glastonbury
- The Castle, Taunton
- The Pump Room, Bath
- The Emporium, Yeovil
- Hestercombe House and Gardens, Taunton
- Charlton House Hotel & Spa, Shepton Mallet
- 10 Best Days Out in South East England (+ London) - 10 April 2024
- 10 Best Days Out in the East Midlands - 3 April 2024
- 10 Best Days Out in the West Midlands - 1 March 2024
