Looking for afternoon tea in the Yorkshire Dales?
In the mid-Victorian era, Anna, the Seventh Duchess of Bedford introduced her own devised dining concept to her aristocratic peers. During the 19th Century, the upper classes tended to eat their evening meal at 8 pm or later and the Duchess would often find herself feeling hungry long before. She began requesting trays of bread & butter and cakes to be served with tea and sent to her room at around 4 pm. Anna would regularly invite friends and acquaintances to join her for tea and what began as a personal preference, ended up being one of the most popular ways to socialise amongst the Victorian upper classes.
The dining concept was soon adopted by high-end hotels and the elite of British society would venture out to enjoy tiered silver platters of delicate finger sandwiches and petit fours. Although not something we enjoy on a daily basis, afternoon tea is still very much part of British life. No longer accessible only to the elite and the wealthy, it’s widely available and regularly enjoyed as a treat or for special celebrations.
This luxurious and quintessentially British dining concept is best enjoyed in beautiful surroundings and few places in the UK are as picturesque as the Yorkshire Dales. This part of God’s Own Country is home to numerous country hotels, gastropubs and quaint cafes offering splendid afternoon teas and they vary drastically in both price and composition.
If you’re visiting the Yorkshire Dales and fancy an afternoon of refined indulgence, we’ve saved you the job of trawling through search results and numerous websites to find your perfect venue. Here, are some of the best places to enjoy afternoon tea in the Yorkshire Dales…
Where to Get Afternoon Tea in The Yorkshire Dales
The Devonshire Fell
Burnsall, Skipton BD23 6BT
The Devonshire Fell is situated on a hillside in Burnsall, overlooking the stunning Yorkshire Dales. Originally built as a gentlemen’s club, it operated as a hotel for many years before being taken over by the Bolton Abbey estate in 1999. The current Duchess of Devonshire restored the hotel and it is now one of the area’s most popular wedding and hospitality venues, offering excellent service, beautifully decorated spaces and quality food in its onsite restaurant.
The Devonshire Fell is in a remarkably picturesque location and afternoon tea is served in their conservatory so guests can soak up panoramic views of the Dales as they dine. Priced at £22 per person, afternoon tea at The Devonshire Fell is a traditional affair with all the expected components such as finger sandwiches, small savoury bites, freshly baked scones with preserves and an array of miniature desserts. Available seven days a week between 12 pm and 4 pm, it must be booked in advance online or via telephone.
The Gamekeeper’s Inn
Long Ashes Park, Threshfield, Skipton BD23 5PN
By far one of the most popular and most recommended afternoon teas in the Skipton area is this contemporary offering at The Gamekeeper’s Inn. Housed in what was once a gamekeeper’s cottage, The Gamekeeper’s Inn is a charming and characterful country pub with eleven elegantly decorated guest rooms. It’s situated in Long Ashes Park which is home to a number of self-catering accommodation options and some gorgeous glamping pods too. Perhaps, treat yourself to a weekend away in the glorious Yorkshire Dales and enhance your experience with some of the hearty and delicious homecooked grub available at The Gamekeeper’s Inn.
Afternoon at The Gamekeeper’s Inn is priced at a reasonable £19.95 per person is so much more than sandwiches and cake! If you’re tired of the traditional and fancy something a little different then this one’s for you! You’ll indulge in a delicious selection of hot and cold savoury treats such as BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders, Mini Fish & Chips and Lamb Kofta with mint yoghurt before satisfying your sweet cravings with tasty homemade cakes.
The Traddock
Austwick, Settle LA2 8BY
Set in a gorgeous Georgian manor house, this small yet perfectly presented hotel has been owned and managed by the Reynolds family since 2002. It’s located in the pretty village of Austwick near Settle so is surrounded by the beautiful scenery of The Yorkshire Dales National Park.
The team at The Traddock have added a contemporary twist to their traditional afternoon tea so, although at first appearance it may seem similar in composition to most, it differs greatly when it comes to flavours. Foodies will delight in the attention to detail and culinary creativity that has gone into this delightful afternoon tea in the Yorkshire Dales.
Of course, the menu changes with the season as the team here are passionate about local produce and have partnered with numerous local artisan suppliers. Currently, savoury treats include Pastrami and Black Pepper Mayonnaise with Rocket on Stout Bread and Venison Sausage Roll with Plum Ketchup. You also get a Smoked Cheddar Scone in addition to the expected sweet version. The desserts are equally as impressive with delights such as Chocolate & Miso Palmier and Meadowsweet Sponge with a Sour Cherry Jam on the menu at the moment.
Afternoon tea at The Traddock is priced at £19.95 with a hot drink, £24.95 with prosecco and £28.95 with Champagne.
Grantley Hall
Grantley Hall, Ripon HG4 3ET
Situated around 4 miles from Ripon on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales, Grantley Hall is a magnificent 17th Century country house hotel set in acres of sweeping gardens. A truly stunning period building that oozes Downton Abbey vibes and offers guests a luxurious and memorable experience.
One of the more traditional offerings, afternoon tea at Grantley Hall is served in the elegant Main Hall and features a spectacular array of dainty treats created by Head Pasty Chef, Stefan Rose and his expert team. Enjoy afternoon tea as it was originally designed to be enjoyed – served upon delicate fine china, in a grand yet sophisticated setting.
Costing £45 per person, it’s one of the more expensive afternoon teas in the Yorkshire Dales but Grantley Hall undoubtedly delivers on their promise of decadence, making this one perfect for a celebratory treat. The menu changes with the seasons but diners can expect traditional finger sandwiches followed by a stunning array of expertly created and immaculately presented miniature desserts.
Beck Hall
Beck Hall Hotel, Cove Road, Malham BD23 4DJ
This gorgeous dog-friendly boutique hotel is situated in the centre of Malham and is just a 20-minute walk away from the magnificent Malham Cove. It was originally built as a yeoman’s cottage in 1705 and eventually, became a “wayfarers’ hostel” during the 1930s. It’s a delightfully characterful building and both the hotel and the restaurant are entirely dog friendly too.
Afternoon tea at Beck Hall is served daily from 12 pm until 5 pm and is priced at just £15.95 per person or £20.95 per person with a glass of fizz. A very reasonable price for an afternoon tea served in such a beautiful setting. Whether dining inside or out, afternoon tea can be enjoyed with a view of the stream which flows alongside Beck Hall, adding a sense of tranquillity to an afternoon of indulgence. As regards food, this afternoon tea includes all the expected components such as sandwiches, scones and homemade cakes. It must be booked in advance and your four-legged friend can join you during your visit. The perfect way to end a walk around one of the most scenic areas of the Yorkshire Dales.
Tea on The Green
Bolton Abbey, Skipton BD23 6EX
Tea On The Green in the beautiful village of Bolton Abbey is a local favourite! The friendly and welcoming independent tea room serves all manner of tasty homecooked breakfasts, lunches and light bites but it’s definitely best known locally for serving phenomenally good afternoon teas.
Served Thursday to Sunday from 11 am until 2 pm, the traditional afternoon teas at Tea On The Green can be enjoyed in the tea room or the garden if weather permits. 48 hours’ notice is required and they do get quite busy, particularly on weekends and during school holidays. Priced at just £17 per person, it includes finger sandwiches, mini wraps, miniature savouries, fruited scones with jam and cream, 3 or 4 small desserts and the obligatory pot of Yorkshire Tea. If you prefer to wash down your treats with a glass of bubbly, you can add a glass of fizz instead for an additional £5.
Tea On The Green’s delicious afternoon teas are also available for collection so you can enjoy them as a picnic in the Yorkshire Dales. What a way to spend an afternoon!
Betty’s Vintage Hut
Hesleden Lodge, Litton, Skipton BD23 5QL
Of course, most of us have had afternoon tea in hotels and restaurants but have you ever had afternoon tea in a shepherd’s hut in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales? Betty’s Vintage Hut is a beautifully decorated mini tea room situated in a talented home baker’s garden in Litton.
Served upon pretty china and comprising a vast array of utterly delicious sweet and savoury treats, all made and baked by Ann herself, afternoon tea at Betty’s Vintage Hut is an absolute delight! It is one of the best afternoon teas in the Yorkshire Dales for those who want to really immerse themselves in the beauty of God’s Own Country as the views from the garden are spectacular.
Available Monday to Sunday between 12 pm and 5 pm. afternoon tea at Betty’s Vintage Hut must be booked in advance and is available for groups between 2 and 12 people. Ann is a fantastic baker so expect rich brownies, moist cupcakes, fluffy scones, perfect pastries and much more. The small shepherd’s hut setting makes this one ideal for intimate gatherings such as birthdays, hen nights and baby showers.
The Coniston Hotel
Coniston Cold, Skipton BD23 4EA
The Coniston Hotel is the ultimate country retreat! It’s set in a 1,400-acre estate near Skipton and offers spectacular views of the Yorkshire Dales. The hotel itself is superb with chic interiors, an award-winning spa and an excellent onsite restaurant. The estate is also home to one of the best shooting grounds in the UK and the fantastic Land Rover Experience. With a range of outdoor pursuits on offer, a wide range of spa facilities and both hotel and self-catering accommodation on options available on the estate, it’s one of the best places in the area for a relaxing weekend getaway.
There are two very different afternoon tea experiences available at this wonderful spa hotel in Yorkshire. Firstly, there’s the traditional offering comprising sandwiches, scones and miniature desserts, made and served in 1 AA Rosette restaurant, The View. Available Wednesday to Saturday between 2 pm and 3 pm, this one is priced at £25 pp and, on warmer days, is best enjoyed on the terrace which boasts panoramic views of the Dales.
If you’re looking for a quirky afternoon tea, then their Asian-inspired afternoon tea, which is also priced at £25 pp, is one worth considering. In addition to the obligatory scones and preserves, you get a creative array of sweet and savoury treats, all packed with Asian flavours and served in a traditional bento box. Think Vegetable Spring Rolls, Bao Buns and Matcha Blondies! This one is available in the Blossom Kitchen daily between 2 pm and 4:45 pm.
Grassington House
5 The Square, Grassington, Skipton BD23 5AQ
In the heart of the picturesque Yorkshire Dales village of Grassington, you will find an award-winning independent restaurant with guest rooms. This welcoming and elegantly styled family-run restaurant has quite deservingly been awarded numerous accolades including 2 AA rosettes.
Owner and chef, John Rudden, is no stranger to industry recognition either, having been regularly named AA Chef of the Year. He and his talented kitchen team create mouthwatering menus of dishes which focus on locally sourced seasonal produce.
Afternoon tea at Grassington House must be booked in advance and is available Wednesday to Saturday from 12 pm until 4 pm. Priced at £25.50 per person or £33.50 when served with prosecco, it’s one of the more contemporary offerings on our list as regards composition. A glorious combination of classic British flavours and globally-inspired treats, afternoon tea in the Yorkshire Dales is a must for foodies! Begin with savoury sensations like Rag Pudding Pasty and Goosnargh Chicken with Bacon, Mango & Basil before treating your tastebuds to sweet delights like Mango & Passion Fruit Meringue Tart and Chocolate Crème Pâtisserie. It’s a yes from us!
As with all our articles of this nature, we will be reviewing and updating this list as and when we discover or are introduced to other businesses and products. If you would like to make a recommendation or wish to request our media kit, you can do so by emailing us at business@theyorkshirepress.co.uk
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