Afternoon tea is a British tradition and where better to discover and enjoy the best afternoon tea than the place that invented it – Leicestershire.

Leicester and Leicestershire have a wide range of high quality tearooms, cafes, restaurants and hotels offering traditional, alternative and luxury afternoon teas to make the perfect treat for you or a loved one this Mother’s Day on Sunday 19 March 2023. Visit Leicester has compiled a list of some of the top places in the city and county to help you in your search for the best afternoon tea…

Did you know afternoon tea was invented at Belvoir Castle? Anna Russell, Duchess of Bedford was visiting the 5th Duke of Rutland at Belvoir Castle in the mid-1840s when she decided the wait until supper was simply too long! What better place to enjoy afternoon tea than at its official birthplace? Relax in the recently refurbished Regency-style tearoom, The Aviary, and indulge in delicious sandwiches, scones and cakes.

Inspired by the City and surrounding countryside, afternoon tea at the Knight and Garter brings a little bit of Leicester and Leicestershire to this traditional dining experience. Using local produce, and with a selection of over 10 large leaf traditional and creative teas, alcoholic and non-alcoholic sparkling tea, diners will enjoy a selection of sweets and savouries with an original twist. The unique offerings include Red Leicester sausage rolls, beetroot and mascarpone profiteroles and passionfruit cheesecake lollies.

For those looking for a vegan alternative, Leicester’s premier vegan café, Prana Café, offers 100% vegan and gluten-free afternoon teas. Housed in a stunning Grade II listed building, diners can indulge in vegan scones, sandwiches and sweets made using local and organic produce.

The City Rooms in the centre of Leicester offers something a little different with an Indian Afternoon Tea, a twist on a classic British tradition. Hosted in the ballroom of one of the city’s landmark buildings, dating back to 1792, diners are treated to a selection of authentic sweet and savoury treats from the sub-continent.

Indian afternoon tea is a specialty in Leicester, which is no surprise considering our affinity for world foods! Bobby’s restaurant has been a city favourite since the 1970’s and now offers afternoon tea as an authentic, pure vegetarian Gujarati dining experience.

Staying in the city, Mrs Bridges Tearoom on Loseby Lane has been serving the people of Leicester for a century. At £9.50 it’s the perfect option for a very reasonably priced afternoon tea. The tearoom is open for breakfast, lunch and of course afternoon tea.

Right in the heart of Leicester’s Clarendon Park, the Skylark Bakery offers freshly baked treats from its quaint bakery. So sit back and sip loose leaf tea from vintage china teacups and select delicious treats including fresh, fluffy scones, daintily cut sandwiches and delicious cakes and treats. A takeaway option is also available.

Away from the city, why not take tea on the farm? Cattow’s Farm offers stunning views of the Leicestershire countryside to accompany your afternoon tea. It hosts events throughout the year, from the summer corn maze to pumpkin picking in the autumn and the farm shop is famed across the county for its home grown and local products.

For the ultimate treat, Kilworth House offers a few hours of luxury in the magnificent Kilworth Orangery. Afternoon Tea has been served in the Orangery for more than 100 years! The classic afternoon tea includes delicate pastries and sandwiches, and mouthwatering sweet treats.

Stapleford Park country house restaurant and bar serves up exceptional afternoon tea in luxury surroundings. Enjoy dainty French pastries and finger sandwiches, accompanied by an award-winning tea selection or champagne, under the glistening chandeliers of its sumptuous drawing room.

For an award-winning experience, look to the Black Iron restaurant at Winstanley House that offers some of the best loose tea in the country to accompany its indulgent range of afternoon teas. From traditional to gluten free and vegan, the teas here were awarded Leicestershire’s Best Afternoon Tea by the Leicestershire Tourism Awards.

Miss B’s Tea Rooms is Leicestershire’s only Tea Guild Award of Excellence Member. Located in the ‘Rural Capital of Food’, Melton Mowbray, Miss B’s offers a selection of specialty afternoon teas that include locally sourced treats, including Melton’s famous pork pie and stilton cheese, alongside freshly homemade sandwiches, scones and cakes.

For something a little different, head to Charnwood Forest Alpacas for an unforgettable alpaca and afternoon tea experience. Learn about, meet and then walk one of the farms friendly alpacas, followed by afternoon tea which features a selection of freshly prepared sandwiches, a scrumptious selection of sweet treats and delicious savoury delights.