8 Spots for the Best Afternoon Tea in Southampton
If tiny sandwiches and scones are your favourite way to spend an afternoon, then afternoon tea in Southampton will be right up your street. We’ve rounded up our top picks for the best Southampton afternoon tea, right here.
Did you know that afternoon tea was first invented in England in 1840? Since then, all sorts of weird and wonderful afternoon tea creations have been designed, but the key ingredients remain the same; scones, jam, cream, and some carefully cut sandwiches.
Whether you’ve tried all the afternoon teas in London and you want to expand your horizons to a nearby city, or you’re from Southampton and your sweet tooth is calling to you, there are so many options to choose from. And if you don’t want to choose you can just try one every weekend… no judgement here!
If you’re on the hunt for the best afternoon tea deals Southampton has to offer, we’ve found 8 spots we think provide the best afternoon tea in Southampton.
Best Afternoon Tea in Southampton
Where to go for the best Southampton afternoon tea.
1. Afternoon Tea at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse
Address: Leonardo Royal Hotel Southampton Grand Harbour, Southampton, SO15 1AG
Price: From £17.95 per person
Marco Pierre White restaurants exist around the country, and their luxury reputation keeps people coming back again and again. If you’re looking for a fancy afternoon tea to treat yourself or a loved one, this is definitely a contender for the best afternoon tea in Southampton. Theirs is a ‘traditional Afternoon Tea with a contemporary twist’, which is sure to suit all tastes.
You can’t go wrong with unlimited tea or coffee, a selection of scrumptious finger sandwiches, warmed sultana scones with clotted cream and all your favourite seasonal preserves, finished off with even more sweet treats. The huge glass conservatory you’ll enjoy your afternoon tea in allows plenty of natural light in, and encourages you to look out at passers by while tucking into your savoury and sweet treats.
2. Afternoon Tea at HarBar on 6th in the Southampton Harbour Hotel
Address: 5 Maritime Walk, Southampton, SO14 3QT
Price: From £29.50 per person
This is afternoon tea Southampton Harbour Hotel-style!
And they don’t do anything by halves.
You won’t miss this hotel since its design is inspired by a super-yacht and looks like an enormous boat overlooking the Ocean Village Marina. It’s the only 5* hotel in Southampton, so you know their food will be good. Inside the hotel you’ll find the HarBar on 6th, which is where your afternoon tea in Southampton will take place.
They offer a choice of the HarBar Afternoon Tea, the Champagne Afternoon Tea (with a glass of Moët & Chandon Impérial Brut), or the ‘Tipsy’ Afternoon Tea, which is certainly intriguing!
Some of the food on offer includes their delicious Coronation Chicken & Radicchio Brioche, and Smoked Applewood Cheese & Red Onion Quiche, plus sweets like their delectable Mini Flower Pot. And of course, some classic scones to put this in the running for the best afternoon tea in Southampton.
3. Afternoon Tea at the Lime Wood Hotel
Address: Beaulieu Rd, Lyndhurst, SO43 7FZ
Price: From £39.50 per person
The New Forest is so close to Southampton, offering a lovely backdrop for any afternoon tea. And for the best afternoon tea New Forest has to offer, Lime Wood Hotel is a brilliant spot you have to check out.
It has all the classics; dainty finger sandwiches, homemade scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and sweet treats like choux buns and teeny little finger doughnuts. With both vegan and vegetarian options available, any guest you bring along will enjoy their meal here, so you can tell them it’s the best afternoon tea in Southampton. You can even choose from the Full Afternoon Tea, the Sparkling Tea, or the G&Tea (for any gin lovers out there!).
4. Afternoon Tea at The White Horse Hotel
Address: Market Place, Romsey, Hampshire, SO51 8ZJ
Price: From £20 per person
The White Horse Hotel is a little up the road from Southampton, but it’s been said to offer the best afternoon tea Hampshire has going, so we thought it was well worth adding to this list… just look at those scones!
With classic cream tea options, plus classic and sparkling afternoon teas to choose from, if you’re treating someone for a birthday or special occasion, The White Horse has you covered. You can now bring little tea lovers along too for the Children’s Afternoon Tea.
They can get quite busy here so pre-booking is necessary, but if you manage to book a table you’re in for a treat with cosy pub vibes and a delicious selection of food; tasty finger sandwiches, cakes galore, and traditional scones with clotted cream and jam. And no afternoon tea would be complete without tea or coffee, so they offer unlimited refills. Best afternoon tea in Southampton? Could be!
5. Afternoon Tea at The Grand
Address: South Western House, Southampton, SO14 3AS
Price: From £28 per person
Looking for the top afternoon tea Southampton Tripadvisor recommends? The Grand is high on the list, and you can see why from their 3-tiers of packed plates with delicious cakes, scones and much more. It’s mouth-watering stuff…
The Grand offers a number of options that make it a strong challenger for best afternoon tea in Southampton; there’s the Standard Afternoon Tea for £28 per person, or you can upgrade to the Afternoon Tea with Prosecco for £34 per person, or Afternoon Tea with Champagne for £40 per person. Fancy bottomless Prosecco? You can upgrade again for £55 per person, so whatever the event you’re there to celebrate, you’ll definitely find an option for you and your party.
With tasty sandwiches like their Smoked Salmon, Lemon & Black Cracked Pepper on Brown Bread, and sweet treats like their Strawberry Macarons with Dark Chocolate Ganache & Strawberry Filling, you won’t want to leave.
6. Afternoon Tea at Chilworth Manor Hotel
Address: Chilworth, Southampton, Hampshire, SO16 7PT
Price: From £21.50 per person
Hants has some of the best looking afternoon teas around, but Chilworth Manor Hotel offers a backdrop like no other, especially if it’s sunny outside during your booking. Take in the natural surroundings and enjoy the company of whoever you have brought along with you for this special day out.
Their freshly made finger sandwiches and baked scones with clotted cream and jam will accompany your tea, which you can choose from their Sir Henry selection or opt for coffee instead. Either way, it’s one of the top choices when it comes to the best afternoon tea in Southampton, especially since you can enjoy the delicious food with a fantastic view from their beautiful, tranquil Edwardian Manor House.
7. Afternoon Tea at Halladay’s Tearooms
Address: 6 Bedford Pl, Southampton, SO15 2DB
Price: P.O.A
This really cute spot is one for anyone who wants to make sure they get a great Instagram picture with their afternoon tea in Southampton. The bright, eclectic decor with mismatched chairs give Halladay’s Tearooms the perfect atmosphere for any special occasions.
It’s classy and elegant, but in an intimate tearoom setting, with plenty of freshly made food to fill you up. There’s the standard afternoon tea or original Halladay’s cream tea, and you’ll find them right in Southampton city centre, so this is definitely the best afternoon tea in Southampton if you’re having a day out in the city.
Pair your visit with one of these things to do in Southampton for a day out.
8. Afternoon Tea at Wonderberrys
Address: 40-41 Victoria Road, Netley Abbey, Southampton, SO31 5DQ
Price: From £18.50 per person
Wonderberrys knows how to put out a beautifully presented afternoon tea, with scrumptious sandwiches, homemade cakes and freshly baked scones in no short supply. And of course, they don’t skip on the clotted cream, jam, and freshly brewed tea.
Whatever special occasion you have on the horizon, you can’t go wrong by booking this great spot as it’s definitely a contender for best afternoon tea in Southampton. Fill your boots with their selection of finger sandwiches such as Smoked Salmon & Cream Cheese, Ham & Wholegrain Mustard, Free Range Egg Mayo, and more. And you can finish off your amazing day out with some homemade scones with all the trimmings. They serve afternoon tea every day but you’ll need to book to make sure you get a spot.
If you’ve been looking for the best afternoon tea in Southampton, this list has got your next day out plans sorted. Book in for the next special occasion that’s coming up, as afternoon tea is one of the best ideas for a birthday day out to remember, or anything else you want to celebrate. Cheers to 3 tiers of yummy treats!
Want more day out ideas? Here are the best day trips from Southampton (all within an hour).
Quick List: 8 Spots for the Best Afternoon Tea in Southampton
- Afternoon Tea at Marco Pierre White Steakhouse
- Afternoon Tea at HarBar on 6th in the Southampton Harbour Hotel
- Afternoon Tea at the Lime Wood Hotel
- Afternoon Tea at The White Horse Hotel
- Afternoon Tea at The Grand
- Afternoon Tea at Chilworth Manor Hotel
- Afternoon Tea at Halladay’s Tearooms
- Afternoon Tea at Wonderberrys
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