Suffolk &amp; Cambs


<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-university-arms-cambridge"><a href="https://parkerstavern.com/afternoon-tea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">University Arms</a>, Cambridge</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea.png" alt="Festive afternoon tea at the university arms" class="wp-image-46616" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Looking for a festive afternoon tea that feels as classic as a Cambridge Christmas card scene? Step inside the elegant University Arms and settle in for a seasonal spread that’s pure indulgence. Served daily from <strong>24 November</strong> to <strong>3 January</strong>, the <a href="https://parkerstavern.com/afternoon-tea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Winter Afternoon Tea</a> is a dreamy mix of comforting flavours and showstopping patisserie. It’s £45 per adult, £22.50 for little ones, or £57 if you fancy upgrading to an English Sparkling Afternoon Tea – and frankly, why wouldn’t you?</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-retreat-east-hemingstone-near-ipswich"><a href="https://retreateast.co.uk/dine/menus/afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Retreat East</a>, Hemingstone (near Ipswich)</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-1.png" alt="festive afternoon tea at Retreat East" class="wp-image-46620" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-1.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-1-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-1-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-1-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>If your idea of festive heaven involves crackling fires, countryside chic and a cake stand piled high with seasonal delights, Retreat East has you covered. From <strong>22 November</strong> right through December, this luxe rural hideaway is serving up a <a href="https://retreateast.co.uk/dine/menus/afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festive Afternoon Tea</a> that’s as comforting as a cashmere jumper and twice as decadent.</p>



<p>Expect a perfectly balanced spread of sweet and savoury: chocolate and Baileys delice, clementine cheesecake, and ginger parkin, plus Dingley Dell pork and cranberry sausage rolls and roast turkey finger sandwiches for savoury fans. It’s <strong>£32 per person</strong>, so go on – swap the shopping crowds for country calm and a glass (or pot) of something special.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-swan-southwold"><a href="https://theswansouthwold.co.uk/festivities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Swan</a>, Southwold</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-2.png" alt="Festive afternoon tea at the Swan in Southwold" class="wp-image-46625" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-2.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-2-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-2-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-2-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>There’s something extra magical about Christmas by the coast – and nowhere does it quite like The Swan. From <strong>1-23 December</strong>, this chic seaside spot is serving a <a href="https://theswansouthwold.co.uk/festivities/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festive Afternoon Tea</a> that’s as creative as it is delicious.</p>



<p>Expect a merry medley of savoury and sweet: smoked salmon, cucumber and sour cream open sandwiches on brioche, roast beef and horseradish cream, and even mini monkfish and chips with split pea purée (yes, really). Then it’s onto the sweet stuff – buttermilk scones with clotted cream and homemade jam, cinnamon macarons with Armagnac ganache, and a Yuletide log with chestnut cream that practically jingles with joy.</p>



<p>Feeling extra festive? Add a Black Forest Negroni or Chocolate Orange Espresso Martini, then roll yourself out for a post-cake stroll along Southwold Pier, where the sea air and twinkly lights will complete the Christmas magic.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-angel-hotel-bury-st-edmunds"><a href="https://www.theangel.co.uk/christmas-2025/festive-afternoon-tea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Angel Hotel</a>, Bury St Edmunds</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1060" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/angel-hotel-exterior.jpg" alt="outside of the angel hotel bury st edmunds" class="wp-image-42520" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/angel-hotel-exterior.jpg 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/angel-hotel-exterior-800x565.jpg 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/angel-hotel-exterior-1000x707.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2024/10/angel-hotel-exterior-400x283.jpg 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Step into storybook Christmas charm at The Angel Hotel, where the <a href="https://www.theangel.co.uk/christmas-2025/festive-afternoon-tea/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festive Afternoon Tea</a> (£35pp) comes with a Dickensian twist. Served in the elegant lounge, this seasonal spread mixes tradition with a playful nod to A Christmas Carol — think Mrs Cratchit’s mince pie, Lady Clutterbuck’s croquette, and Marley’s Macaroon (apple and cinnamon, naturally).</p>



<p>You’ll also find finger sandwiches of turkey and cranberry, smoked salmon and cream cheese, and egg and watercress, alongside warm scones with homemade jam and clotted cream and sweet treats like Twelfth Night Cake and Charles’ white chocolate and cherry cheesecake. A feast even Scrooge couldn’t resist.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-gonville-hotel-cambridge"><a href="https://gonvillehotel.co.uk/christmas/cambridge-festive-afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Gonville Hotel</a>, Cambridge</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/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-3-1000x667.png" alt="festive afternoon tea at the gonville" class="wp-image-46627" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-3-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-3-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-3-400x267.png 400w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-3.png 1500w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /></figure>



<p>For a <a href="https://gonvillehotel.co.uk/christmas/cambridge-festive-afternoon-tea" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">festive afternoon tea</a> with a side of city sparkle, head to The Gonville Hotel, where twinkling lights meet top-tier treats overlooking Parker’s Piece. From <strong>21 November to 4 January</strong>, their elegant restaurant transforms into a cosy winter haven serving a beautifully curated festive afternoon tea that blends classic comfort with seasonal flair.</p>



<p>Expect tiers of delicate finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and mini patisserie creations celebrating the best winter flavours — all begging to be paired with a glass of fizz or mulled wine. Refined, relaxed and perfectly Cambridge, it’s a festive indulgence worth lingering over.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-the-ivy-cambridge"><a href="https://ivycollection.com/restaurants-near-me/the-ivy-south-east/the-ivy-cambridge-brasserie/christmas-afternoon-tea-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">The Ivy</a>, Cambridge</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1000" height="666" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/04/ivy-5.jpg" alt="the Ivy in Cambridge" class="wp-image-21637" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/04/ivy-5.jpg 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/04/ivy-5-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/04/ivy-5-720x480.jpg 720w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/04/ivy-5-150x100.jpg 150w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2021/04/ivy-5-788x525.jpg 788w" sizes="(max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Ivy Cambridge Bar</figcaption></figure>



<p>For a <a href="https://ivycollection.com/restaurants-near-me/the-ivy-south-east/the-ivy-cambridge-brasserie/christmas-afternoon-tea-menu/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Christmas afternoon tea</a> with a glamorous twist, The Ivy delivers seasonal indulgence with a side of sparkle. Highlights include a Cure smoked salmon and cream cheese choux bun, chicken Milanese with truffle cream brioche roll, and a trio of decadent sweets like crème brûlée, a chocolate bombe and salted caramel chocolate truffles. Priced at £35.95, or £46.50 with a glass of Champers, it’s a chic way to toast the festive season in the heart of Cambridge.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-poets-house-ely"><a href="https://www.poetshouse.co.uk/christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Poets House</a>, Ely</h2>



<figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img decoding="async" loading="lazy" width="1500" height="1000" src="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-4.png" alt="festive afternoon tea at the poets house" class="wp-image-46629" srcset="https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-4.png 1500w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-4-800x533.png 800w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-4-1000x667.png 1000w, https://dev.muddystilettos.co.uk/suffolkcambs/wp-content/uploads/sites/15/2025/11/festive-afternoon-tea-4-400x267.png 400w" sizes="(max-width: 1500px) 100vw, 1500px" /></figure>



<p>Eat, drink and be very merry this December at Poets House, where the <a href="https://www.poetshouse.co.uk/christmas/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Festive Afternoon Tea</a> (£37pp, or £44pp with bubbly) is served daily from 2–4pm in the cosy Sonnet Bar &amp; Lounge. Perfect for soaking up the seasonal cheer, it’s a relaxed yet indulgent way to celebrate the festive season.</p>


The best festive afternoon teas in Suffolk & Cambridgeshire

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