Is there anything more English than going for afternoon tea with a beautifully laid table replete with table cloth, fine China crockery, and silver cutlery? Then there are the refreshments themselves – tea poured from a teapot, or even fine champagne poured into crystal flutes, with delicately cut sandwiches, scones with jam and cream, not to mention a selection of delicious cakes and pastries. But where did the tradition of Afternoon Tea originate? It’s said that it was the Duchess of Bedford in 1840 who introduced the custom of a small meal at 4 o’clock in the afternoon because she was so hungry and couldn’t wait hours for her evening meal. The custom caught on in High Society, and nearly 200 years later, we can all enjoy the ‘meal’ and the experience.
But it’s not only about what’s on the table that makes a delicious and enjoyable afternoon tea. It’s the venue and its surroundings that count just as much as the food and drink. Just as Afternoon Tea is the most English of mealtimes, Surrey is perhaps the most quintessentially English of counties, not even 30 minutes from London. With beautiful villages and vibrant towns surrounded by the most picturesque countryside, no wonder it’s viewed as being up there with the best that England has to offer. Usually described as leafy and quaint, Surrey has a tradition of providing the best establishments to take afternoon tea at, with a range of venues from five-star hotels to village tea shops and cafes and even the gardens of thatch-roofed pubs.
Luxury Afternoon Tea in Surrey
So, even though the finest choices could perhaps fill a book – and probably have – here are five Surrey establishments recommended as the best places to partake in a ‘spot of afternoon tea’.
The Riverbank Kitchen at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre, Guildford
This is even more English in character than most if not all of the choices available. Set beside a picturesque river, you can sit on the terrace and watch the gentle flow of the river with birds twittering on the perfect summer’s day. And then, once you’ve enjoyed finger sandwiches, scones with raspberry jam, and clotted cream, you can take your seat in the adjoining theatre and take in the show. And like most Afternoon Tea menus, it doesn’t have to be tea that you’re drinking – a glass of fizz, white or rose, is just as fitting, especially on a classic July or August afternoon.
Woodlands Park Hotel, Cobham
The afternoon tea in the splendour of The Woodlands Park Hotel is as much about the impressive location as it is about the speciality teas, the dainty sandwiches, handmade cakes, pastries and scones. You can enjoy the occasion in either the Grand Hall, with its stained-glass ceiling windows, beautiful woodwork and amazing feature fireplace, or in the superb dining room, in all its dark oak majesty. The hotel invites party bookings for that special occasion, whether it’s birthday, anniversary, hen party or to prepare for motherhood.
Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking
This choice is definitely at odds with the traditional idea of Afternoon Tea and would seem to suggest that between ordering a pot of tea and a chilling bottle of something fizzy and alcoholic the choice is probably pre-determined. What Denbieshas in its favour is the choice of locations within the Estate that you have to enjoy the occasion. For starters, Denbies offer either informal cream teas in their Conservatory Restaurant or their premium Sparkling Afternoon Tea in the Vineyard Restaurant.
In a step up from that, there’s the Afternoon Tea Hamper that accompanies The Vineyard Tour. You’ll enjoy a glass of Denbies Sparkling Wine as you are taken on a tour of the vineyard on the outdoor train up to the highest viewpoint on the estate. And the views are worth the ride up there. Following the tour, it’s time to enjoy an Afternoon Tea Hamper on the Lawn, alongother beautiful views. A further option following the tour, is a traditional afternoon tea served at the Vineyard Hotel with more superb sweeping views across the whole of the Vineyard over a Sparkling Wine, or a cup of tea or coffee.
Ramster Garden Tea House, Chiddingfold
It’s doubtful that there’s a prettier venue for Afternoon Tea than this – Ramster Garden is a famous, award-winning botanic garden situated in the South of Surrey. The Ramster Garden Tea House itself is a delightfully picturesque café, with indoor and outdoor seating, situated on the edge of Ramster Garden. Less formal than the other establishments, but no less worth a visit for Afternoon Tea. The really nice feature of this location is that visitors can combine a visit to the café with a walk around the garden, or just come for the café as no entrance fee is required for café visits.
Guildford Harbour Hotel, Guildford
It appears that the Harbour Hotel is the unanimous choice when it comes to THE place to go for Afternoon Tea in Surrey. It’s hard to get a better recommendation than this. ‘The town centre four-star deluxe hotel offers an Afternoon Tea fit for a Queen!’ The Harbour is a stunning modern hotel in the centre of Guildford with the kind of reviews that can’t be ignored. The Afternoon Tea itself is traditional with a couple of mouth-watering variations. You’ll enjoy a delicious selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, cakes, pastries, buttery shortbread, strawberries dipped in chocolate and "Queen of Hearts jam tarts''. These are served alongside traditional scones with Devonshire clotted cream, jam and washed down with a fine selection of teas and coffees. The hotel is very welcoming when it comes to their clientele. For the children attending the Tea, there's even a 'Madhatter Milkshake'. If you hadn’t already worked it out, there’s also an ‘Alice in Wonderland’ theme at work in this particular Afternoon Tea menu.
Most of the establishments only take bookings for Afternoon Tea, and the cost varies from place to place so it’s advisable to phone ahead and check, whichever one you choose. But whatever the place, and whatever the cost, it seems that this quaint old English custom is more popular than ever, not least in Surrey.
