For a truly charming and traditional experience, head to Polreath Tea Room on the idyllic Isle of St Martin’s in the Isles of Scilly. This family-run tea room opened in the 1950s and is famous for its delicious home-baked cakes. While in Cornwall, there’s no excuse not to indulge in a cream tea, of course in this neck of the woods, the farmhouse strawberry jam must go on before the clotted cream! Depending on the weather, choose to enjoy your treats in the plantsman’s garden, bright airy conservatory, or sit in the traditional Scillonian glasshouse.
The 10 best Afternoon Teas
As we sail into National Afternoon Tea Week, our ferry travel experts have identified the best places in British waters to sip tea. Better still, they are only a ferry journey away.
Whether you prefer classic British elegance, a unique experience, or a European twist, these ferry-accessible destinations offer the perfect excuse to combine your love for travel with the timeless pleasure of afternoon tea. Bon voyage, and bon appétit!
- Feeling creative? Get art-tea in Dublin
Art Tea at The Merrion Hotel, Credit: The Merrion Hotel, Dublin
Afternoon Tea at The Merrion marries great art of the 19th and 20th centuries with expertly crafted patisserie. Served in the hotel’s drawing rooms, “Art Tea” features sweet creations inspired artists such as J.B. Yeats, William Scott and Louis Le Brocquy. Vegan Afternoon Tea and gluten-free options allow everyone to indulge.
Sail to Dublin with Irish Ferries or Stena Line.
- Victorian-inspired tea on the Isle of Wight
Afternoon Tea at the Royal Hotel Ventnor, Credit: Visit Isle of Wight
For lovers of the traditional afternoon tea and the ceremony that comes with it, The Royal Hotel in Ventnor is the island’s best. This grande dame of the Solent has been serving afternoon tea since Queen Victoria popularised eating sandwiches and cakes in the gardens here in the mid-1800s. Today’s traditional Cream Tea and Royal Afternoon Tea is served in the conservatory or the brasserie. However, if you’re looking for a cosy option full of charm, head to Old Thatch Teashop in Shanklin. The bright pink cottage offers flavoured scones as well as the Queen Victoria Tea or The Prince Albert Tea, which features locally made pork pie and Dorset Apple Cake. If you’re with children, make sure you take tea in the Fairy Garden, which is full of flowers and fairy home statues.
Sail to the Isle of Wight with Hovertravel, Red Funnel or Wightlink.
- A fashionably French afternoon tea
Dupont avec un Thé is a Normandy institution. Founded in Dives-sur-Mer 1912 this patisserie, confectioner and chocolaterie remains a must-visit for well-heeled Parisians during seaside sojourns. It has since opened establishments in Honfleur, Trouville-sur-Mer, Deauville, Cabourg and Neuilly-sur-Seine in Paris – indeed the Deauville branch is just a short walk from the second shop Coco Chanel opened in France. Dupont’s boudoir-style tea rooms serve classics such as Religieuse, macaron and Rum Baba but has also won awards for its croissants. If you’re feeling truly indulgent, swap tea for rich hot chocolate!
Sail to Normandy with Brittany Ferries, or travel from Newhaven to Dieppe with DFDS. Irish holidaymakers can also sail via Cherbourg with Brittany Ferries, Stena Line or Irish Ferries.
- Sip tea in grandeur
The Merchant Hotel, Afternoon Tea, Credit: Studio Kin/ Merchant Hotel
Taking Afternoon Tea at The Merchant Hotel in Belfast has become a must-do for visitors and celebrators. Housed in this architectural, wedding cake shaped building, step back in time and enjoy the breathtaking surroundings of the Great Room Restaurant. The original Victorian features and five-star service add a sense of occasion and the range of finger sandwiches, fresh scones and patisseries remains unsurpassed.
Sail to Belfast from Liverpool with Stena Line or travel via Cairnryan, Scotland with P&O Ferries or Stena Line.
- Enjoy “varie-tea” in Lille’s historic tea salon
Founded in 1677, Méert in Lille has been serving pastries and confectionery for centuries, however, it is the famed house “Gaufre” that has been bringing customers through its doors ever since they launched in 1849. These iconic speciality waffles are traditionally filled with Madagascan vanilla but the menu is updated regularly with seasonal flavours
While you can purchase waffles, cakes and other sweets to take away, it would be a shame to miss the 19th Century tea rooms and discover the variety of teas on offer. The extensive tea range includes rare and exquisite blends and features teas inspired by great figures from French history. The ritual of taking tea at Méert will give visitors a better understanding of the French maxim “savoir-vivre.”
Lille is less than an hour’s drive from Dunkirk port with DFDS, or travel via ferry services to Calais with Irish Ferries, DFDS, or P&O Ferries. Sail from Ireland to Dunkirk with DFDS.
- London’s best kept secret – Tea on the Thames
Clipper Lounge EMB Afternoon Tea
London has quite possibly the biggest and most diverse range of afternoon tea menus in the world and many come with a hefty price tag. Yet, there is a venue in the heart of the West End that offers a Champagne Afternoon Tea with spectacular views of the Thames for less than £45 per person. Enjoy an elegant Afternoon Tea experience at the Clipper Lounge EMB, London’s riverside café bar on Embankment Pier. Alongside your tea or coffee, indulge in a variety of sandwiches, scones with jam and cream and sweet cakes and pastries accompanied by a glass of Laurent Perrier La Cuvée Champagne or a gin-based cocktail infused with tea borage, lemon verbena and botanicals.
Better yet, it’s easy to arrive at the Clipper Lounge EMB, located at Embankment Pier, or continue your journey down the Thames to see more of the capital’s sights with Uber Boat by Thames Clippers.
- Local produce and sea views
Credit: Aaron House, Isle of Man
The Aaron House in Port St Mary on the Isle of Man serves a splendid afternoon tea made with locally sourced ingredients. Served by appointment only, guests take tea in the atmospheric William Morris Room, which has intricate wallpaper and spectacular views onto the bay. The menu features delicacies including Potted Manx Beef sandwiches, homemade Homity Pie and Manx Caramel and Sea Salt Meringues.
Sail to Douglas with The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company.
- A Cornish cream tea in a Scillonian Glass House
The Isles of Scilly are accessible via the Scillonian III ferry from Penzance. From the main island of St Mary’s, regular inter-island boats connect to St Martin’s.
- Tea fit for a laird
Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull, Credit: VisitScotland
Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Sound of Mull, Duart Castle offers not only a fascinating historical visit but a delightful tearoom experience. The 700 year-old castle was built with a keep to command the channel between Mull and the Mainland and to this day remains home to the Maclean clan. The cafe prides itself on serving locally sourced Isle of Mull and Scottish produce, it offers delicious home baked cakes and scones, some of the goodies are even made from Lady Maclean’s own recipes. Enjoy tea with sea views, often accompanied by the sight of the Oban to Craignure ferry passing by, you might even spot some dolphins or harbour porpoises.
The Isle of Mull is accessible via Caledonian MacBrayne ferries and is reached from Oban (to Craignure), Lochaline (to Fishnish), and Kilchoan (to Tobermory).
- High Tea on the open water
Combine sightseeing with scones on a High Tea cruise around Amsterdam. Every Sunday, visitors can glide through the city’s canals on a luxury saloon boat, while enjoying sweet and savoury snacks. The skipper provides commentary as you pass sights including The Anne Frank House, Westerkerk and the Hermitage Museum.
Sail to Amsterdam from Newcastle with DFDS. Or travel via Rotterdam with P&O Ferries or Stena Line.