Suffolk &amp; Cambs


<p>You don&#8217;t need to ask us twice when it comes to afternoon tea. Whether you&#8217;re after a proper tiered stand piled high with finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones, or a more relaxed take on the classic, Cambridgeshire delivers – from grand hotel drawing rooms to hidden garden tearooms. Here&#8217;s our definitive guide to the best afternoon teas in the county.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-fellows-house-cambridge"><a href="https://www.thefoliobarandkitchen.com/afternoon-tea-cambridge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Fellows House</strong></a>, Cambridge </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="888" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/fellows-house-afternoon-tea-1000x888.jpg" alt="Fellow House Afternoon tea" class="wp-image-40240" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/fellows-house-afternoon-tea-1000x888.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/fellows-house-afternoon-tea-800x710.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/fellows-house-afternoon-tea-400x355.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/05/fellows-house-afternoon-tea.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For a lovely modern take on afternoon tea head to The Folio Kitchen Restaurant at Fellows House Hotel in Cambridge, a stylish space that&nbsp;wouldn’t&nbsp;look out of place in New York and where you can guarantee that the menu will have a twist on tradition. The dainty sandwiches have wow factor fillings like avocado and hoisin caviar and asparagus and goat cheese sandwiches. Classic sweet treats follow and you can wash it all down with one of their signature cocktails named after the brainiest of Cambridge’s scholars.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-parker-s-tavern-at-the-university-arms-cambridge"><a href="https://parkerstavern.com/afternoon-tea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Parker’s Tavern at the University Arms</strong></a><strong>, Cambridge</strong> </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-100-1000x667.png" alt="University Arms Afternoon Tea" class="wp-image-47696" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-100-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-100-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-100-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-100.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>You can always rely on Parker&#8217;s Tavern for a memorable afternoon tea experience and we love their current Colleges of Cambridge inspired afternoon tea with traditional finger sandwiches and freshly baked scones, accompanied by chocolate and almond delice, blueberry cheesecake, rhubarb and vanilla choux bun and raspberry and rose roulade.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-six-brasserie-at-the-varsity-hotel-cambridge"><a href="https://www.thevarsityhotel.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>SIX Brasserie at The Varsity Hotel</strong></a><strong>, Cambridge</strong> </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121057.087-1000x667.png" alt="Six at the Varsity in Cambridge" class="wp-image-47697" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121057.087-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121057.087-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121057.087-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121057.087.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Cambridge settings&nbsp;don’t&nbsp;get much more spectacular than the rooftop at SIX&nbsp;restaurant. You can see for miles as you devour tea and cakes here and pick out all the famous city landmarks.&nbsp;A great choice&nbsp;for anyone with dietary requirements but still keen to get involved, as there’s vegan, non-dairy, gluten-free and veggie options. Following afternoon tea in the restaurant, get on the hard stuff and enjoy cocktail hour on the stunning roof terrace.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-clayton-hotel-cambridge"><a href="https://www.claytonhotelcambridge.com/restaurants-bars/afternoon-tea-cambridge/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clayton Hotel</a>, Cambridge </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="720" height="480" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/ClaytonHotel-720x480.jpeg" alt="afternoon tea at Clayton Hotel Cambridge" class="wp-image-23022" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/ClaytonHotel-720x480.jpeg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/ClaytonHotel-300x200.jpeg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/ClaytonHotel-150x100.jpeg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/ClaytonHotel-787x525.jpeg 787w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/08/ClaytonHotel.jpeg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px" /></figure>



<p>The Clayton Hotel has a good rep for afternoon tea in the city. Plenty of options, from jam and scones to the full works; finger sandwiches, pastries, the sweetest mini meringues, chocolate&nbsp;pops&nbsp;and an impressive choice of what to wash it down with including&nbsp;loose-leaf Newby teas, fruit infusion&nbsp;teas&nbsp;and artisan coffees. Walk it all off in the Botanical Gardens just down the road.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-gonville-hotel-cambridge"><a href="https://gonvillehotel.co.uk/dining/afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Gonville Hotel</a>, Cambridge</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="667" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/gonville-667x1000.jpg" alt="Gonville afternoon tea" class="wp-image-27545" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/gonville-667x1000.jpg 667w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/gonville-534x800.jpg 534w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/gonville-267x400.jpg 267w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/gonville-1024x1536.jpg 1024w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/gonville-1366x2048.jpg 1366w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/gonville-350x525.jpg 350w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2022/07/gonville.jpg 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 667px) 100vw, 667px" /></figure>



<p>If&nbsp;it&#8217;s&nbsp;a classic afternoon tea, with delicate clinking&nbsp;tea cups, dinky sandwiches, cakes that you can pop in your mouth in one go and five-star service then&nbsp;you&#8217;ll&nbsp;not be disappointed by The Gonville Hotel&#8217;s afternoon tea.&nbsp;It&#8217;s&nbsp;served in the Garden Restaurant &#8216;On&nbsp;The&nbsp;Lawn&#8217; and is an idyllic way to spend an afternoon in the city.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-carriages-tea-rooms-fen-drayton"><a href="https://www.carriagesofcambridge.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Carriages Tea Rooms</strong></a><strong>, Fen Drayton</strong> </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="665" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/11/festive-afternoon-tea-carriages-cambridge-1000x665.jpg" alt="Carriages tea toom" class="wp-image-37097" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/11/festive-afternoon-tea-carriages-cambridge-1000x665.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/11/festive-afternoon-tea-carriages-cambridge-800x532.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/11/festive-afternoon-tea-carriages-cambridge-400x266.jpg 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/11/festive-afternoon-tea-carriages-cambridge-789x525.jpg 789w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2023/11/festive-afternoon-tea-carriages-cambridge.jpg 1024w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Had more afternoon teas than birthdays and fancy something a little bit different this year? Well, Cambridgeshire is home to one of the most fabulous and unusual places for tea and scones – Carriages in Fen Drayton, where, as the name suggests, you in dine decadent style on board a 1920s Pullman style carriage. The attention to detail at this historic station (originally Oakham station) is incredible and&nbsp;you’ll&nbsp;feel like&nbsp;you’ve&nbsp;stepped back into the&nbsp;hey day&nbsp;of afternoon tea and luxury travel. The food is absolutely first class too, with much of it coming from the onsite Victorian Kitchen Garden.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-orchard-tea-garden-grantchester"><a href="http://www.theorchardteagarden.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>The Orchard Tea Garden</strong></a><strong>, Grantchester</strong> </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121613.115-1000x667.png" alt="Orchard Tea Gardens" class="wp-image-47698" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121613.115-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121613.115-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121613.115-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121613.115.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Just a short stroll, cycle ride,&nbsp;punt&nbsp;or drive from the bustle of Cambridge&nbsp;you’ll&nbsp;find The Orchard Tea Garden; a corner of England where time stands still as the hectic world hurtles by. The Orchard has been serving tea for nearly 120 years (so they’ve really&nbsp;nailed it by now) and is renowned for the plethora of famous bods who’ve enjoyed its genteel setting, including Rupert Brooke and his Bloomsbury set friends Virginia Woolf, E.M. Forster, John Maynard Keynes and Ernest Rutherford to name but a few. Relax in a deck chair under the shade of an apple tree, enjoy the riverside&nbsp;setting&nbsp;and soak up the atmosphere of a bygone era as you scoff a scone or three.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-garden-house-cambridge"><a href="https://www.gardenhousecambridge.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener"><strong>Garden House</strong></a><strong>, Cambridge</strong> </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121759.092-1000x667.png" alt="Afternoon tea at Garden House" class="wp-image-47699" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121759.092-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121759.092-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121759.092-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2026/03/Untitled-design-2026-03-16T121759.092.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Enjoy your tea with riverside views at Garden House in Cambridge. In the summer months you can while away an idyllic afternoon in the hotel’s riverside garden, watching more energetic types punting past while you scoff scones,&nbsp;sandwiches&nbsp;and plates full of exquisite cakes.&nbsp;</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-station-house-histon"><a href="https://www.histonstationhouse.com/afternoontea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Station House</a>, Histon </h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="667" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/07/station-house-histon-3-1000x667.png" alt="Station house afternoon tea" class="wp-image-45359" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/07/station-house-histon-3-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/07/station-house-histon-3-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/07/station-house-histon-3-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/07/station-house-histon-3.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>Last summer we reviewed the afternoon tea at The Station House and we weren&#8217;t disappointed! Beautifully presented and no sandwich overload here. The ham and smoked cheddar, and cucumber with mint cream cheese are spot-on. The smoked salmon and avocado tart? Perfection! Sweet treats are top-tier: caramel-centred macarons to a knock-out caramelised pear and chocolate tart. This is a must-visit for relaxed dining with great food. </p>



<h4 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-in-the-mood-for-more">IN THE MOOD FOR MORE&#8230;</h4>



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9 of the best places for afternoon tea in Cambridgeshire

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