The Best Places for Afternoon Tea in the North East

The Clifton Hotel
101 Ocean Road, South Shields NE33 2JL
0191 455 1965 www.theclifton.co.uk
The Clifton Hotel in South Shields is home to a popular coffee shop which is open daily. A delicious afternoon tea here is great value for money (just £9.95 per person). For a real treat, book the stylishly-furnished Library Room for a private teatime event for up to 20 people.

Tyneside Bar Café
10 Pilgrim Street, Newcastle NE1 6QG
0191 227 5522 www.tynesidecinema.co.uk
At the Tyneside Bar Café, their afternoon tea is made to order and includes a selection of fresh sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and a range of homemade cakes. Enjoy unlimited tea or coffee, or add a little luxury with a glass of bubbles. Look out for the monthly Afternoon Tea at the Movies events, where you can watch a classic musical alongside your afternoon tea.

Walwick Hall 
Humshaugh, Hexham NE46 4BJ
01434 620 156 www.walwickhall.com
Set in 100 acres of stunning Northumberland countryside on Hadrian’s Wall, Walwick Hall is a unique setting to indulge in a luxury afternoon tea. Choose from a list of classic tea blends and fruit infusions, a glass of prosecco or a refreshing cocktail alongside their traditional afternoon tea, or make like a local and choose their Northumbrian afternoon tea – think mini stotties, northern savouries, warm scones and a selection of jams. Be sure to book your afternoon tea by 4pm on the day before to avoid disappointment.

Langley Castle
Langley-on-Tyne, Hexham NE47 5LU
01434 688 888 www.langleycastle.co.uk
This 14th century castle nestled in the South Tyne valley prides itself of the quality of its food, and their afternoon tea is no exception. Enjoy traditional finger sandwiches of local ham and English mustard, oak-smoked salmon and cream cheese and cucumber, before trying fruit and plain scones with a range of preserves and clotted cream – and why not add a glass of luxurious Drappier Champagne for only £10.25 per person? For those looking for something a little more hearty, the gentleman’s afternoon tea,  includes pork pie with piccalilli, beef bonbon with horseradish and a pork and leek sausage roll. 

Wynyard Hall
Tees Valley TS22 5NF
01740 644811 www.wynyardhall.co.uk
Expect fine china and loose leaf tea at Wynyard Hall. Choose the traditional afternoon tea for dainty cakes and pastries, the gentleman’s afternoon tea for a range of savoury options paired with a glass of Glenfiddich whisky, or let your little ones join in on the fun with the children’s afternoon tea. 

Spanish City
 Spanish City Plaza, Whitley Bay NE26 1BG
0191 691 7090 www.spanishcity.co.uk
Head Pastry Chef Kristian Branch is at the helm of the talented team here. Book your afternoon tea with at least 24 hours notice and take a seat underneath the spectacular dome in the Gallery, or dine in the 1910 restaurant with views over the sea. Savour traditional finger sandwiches, quiche, pastries and cakes with the wow-factor, or try the gentleman’s afternoon tea for generously-filled sandwiches, homemade sausage rolls and sticky toffee pudding macaroons. 

Matfen Hall 
Matfen, NE20 0RH
016618 86500 www.matfenhall.com
Matfen Hall’s executive pastry chefs bring you a truly traditional affair. Enjoy a classic combination of delicate sandwiches, freshly-baked scones and homemade sweet pastries, all skilfully prepared. The tea itself isn’t forgotten here – a range of loose leaf teas are sourced from Newcastle-based Ringtons and are designed to complement your food perfectly. A gluten-free version, a gentleman’s afternoon tea and a children’s afternoon tea, featuring ham and cheese toasties and milkshakes, are also available. 

The Stables Café
Raby Castle, Staindrop DL2 3AH 
01833 660202 www.raby.co.uk
With stalls which still bear the name plaques of the horses who were once housed in them, Raby Castle’s Stables Café cleverly retains its equestrian history, without compromising on style, and there’s a large outdoor seating area too. Afternoon tea here comes with a selection of cakes, both fruit and plain scones, local preserves and a selection of delicate finger sandwiches, and you can opt to add a glass of something fizzy.  

The Glasshouse Café
Bradley Gardens, Sled Lane, Wylam NE41 8JH
01661 852176 www.bradley-gardens.co.uk
This popular café is housed in an original 19th century glasshouse – be sure to book in advance for their afternoon teas. You can choose a confectioner’s tea (with homemade scones, jam, cream and pastries), a traditional afternoon tea (which also includes fingers sandwiches), or a sparkling afternoon tea (which – you guessed it – includes a glass of prosecco or a chilled bellini). 

The Running Fox
Riverside, Felton NE65 9EA
01665 660721 www.runningfoxbakery.co.uk
With outposts in Shilbottle and Longframlington, as well as their original Felton base, The Running Fox offers plenty of options – both in terms of location, and in terms of their extensive menu of sandwiches, pies, quiche, melts, platters and soups. Their afternoon tea is deservedly legendary – think sandwiches, pies, quiche, fresh scones and hefty slices of cake, served with endless tea and coffee.

SIX Restaurant
South Shore Road, Gateshead NE8 3BA 
0191 440 4948 www.sixbaltic.com
Enjoy an afternoon tea with a view at this rooftop restaurant, which is situated on the top floor of the BALTIC. Available from 12–4pm on Sundays, their afternoon tea includes a selection of savouries such as goat’s cheese focaccia and crispy walnut ham hock, along with sweet treats including fruit scones, chocolate and cherry delice and white chocolate macaron. 

Carriages Tea Room
Woodbury Road, Bellingham NE48 2DG
01434 221151 www.carriages-tearoom.co.uk
Step aboard the Carriages Tea Room for a unique afternoon tea experience. Passengers can choose from the carriages afternoon tea or the celebration afternoon tea, which include a selection of teas, cakes, tray bakes, and cream scones – all served on-board their restored 1957 Mark 1 carriages. As the carriages still contain the original seats and many original fixtures and fittings from when the train was in use, this tea room offers a warm, cosy and historic atmosphere. 

Coquetvale Hotel 
Station Road, Rothbury NE65 7QH
01669 622900 www.coquetvale.co.uk
Book in advance to enjoy a choice of three afternoon teas here: the classic cream tea, the Coquetvale afternoon tea and the savoury afternoon tea – all served in beautiful surroundings. Choose from a selection of loose-leaf teas and coffees, or treat yourself to a glass of prosecco! 

Eshott Hall
Eshott, Morpeth, Northumberland NE65 9EN 
01670 787454 www.eshotthall.co.uk
This popular boutique hotel offers an indulgent afternoon tea, with a menu that includes a selection of finger sandwiches, a choice of teas and freshly brewed coffees, home-made sweet and savoury scones, and – if you’re feeling indulgent – a flute of Perrier–Jouët Grand Brut Champagne for an extra £7 per person. 

Weardale Railway 
Stanhope Station, Station Road DL13 2YS
08000 232 383 www.weardale-railway.com
For an afternoon tea like no other, head to Weardale Railway, where you can sample their freshly-made finger sandwiches, cake and homemade scones on board a train. With amazing views across the Weardale countryside, sit back and enjoy this delightful on-the-go afternoon tea. 

Tealicious 
88 Elvet Bridge Durham DH1 3AG   
0191 340 1393 www.tealicioustearoom.co.uk
The tea-loving owner of this quaint and quirky tea room was inspired after years of visiting coffee shops and being unable to find a good cup of tea, and now serves an extensive range of speciality tea blends, all served in vintage china tea sets. This quintessentially English tea room offers a selection of dainty sandwiches, alongside fruit scones with butter, strawberry jam and clotted cream. Make sure to book, as 48 hours notice is required. 

The Great British Cupcakery
15 Queen Street, Quayside NE1 3UG
0191 230 2151 www.gbcupcakery.co.uk
Close to the Quayside, the cupcakery is known for its extravagant sweet treats, including their legendary milkshakes topped with donuts or cupcakes. Their afternoon tea begins with a selection of sandwiches and savouries, followed by homemade scones smothered with cream and jam. 

Let There Be Crumbs 
Roker Hotel, Roker Terrace Sunderland, SR6 9ND
0191 567 1787 www.lettherebecrumbs.co.uk
This cakery and tea room can be found by the coast, and afternoon teas are their speciality – think freshly-made sandwiches, fruit scones, cheese scones, and a selection of cakes and desserts. Enjoy your afternoon tea with a traditional Rington’s tea – or go for something a little stronger with the fizzing afternoon tea (served with a glass of prosecco), or their one-of-a-kind G & Afternoon Tea (which includes a glass of poetic license gin, served in a teapot). 

Brambles Coffee Shop
Poplar Tree Garden Centre, Shincliffe Village, Durham DH1 2NG
0191 384 7553 www.poplartreegardencentre.co.uk
This Durham-based coffee shop overlooks the Shincliffe Woodlands, and is situated near the beautiful River Wear. Come here for some relaxation after a long, riverside walk and enjoy their fabulous afternoon tea, prepared with locally-sourced ingredients. Fitting in with the garden theme, their afternoon tea is served on a miniature picnic bench, with a selection of scones and cakes set upon the table and seats.