When it comes to indulging in the quintessentially British treat of a scone with fresh cream and jam and tiny finger sandwich, Wales has plenty of places at which you can tuck in to lush afternoon tea. From creamy cakes and crumbly scones to savoury sandwiches whose sizes are too cute to handle, you are spoilt for choice for where to spoil your loved one with a foodie treat this spring.
From tearooms and hotels to delis and cafes, we've searched high and low for just some of Wales most beautiful, idyllic or even quirky settings in which to have an afternoon tea in style as well as those which have the best tea, the finest baked bread and the most intricate sweet treats that will have you drooling just thinking about it.
And yes, afternoon tea is usually an activity you do when you're looking to celebrate a birthday or Mother's Day - for example - but these afternoon teas just go to show that you really shouldn't wait for a special occasion to treat yourself to an afternoon tea. You can keep up to date with the latest What's On news by signing up to the newsletter here.
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To give you some delicious inspiration, here are 33 brilliant afternoon teas (in no particular order) where you can spoil yourself with fancy cakes and even a glass of fizz. Want less ads? Download WalesOnline’s Premium app on Apple or Android.
1. Pettigrew Tea Rooms
Where? In the Victorian gatehouse at the entrance to Bute Park in central Cardiff - right next to the castle. Can you get a more magnificent setting?
What do you get? There's a choice of menu at Pettigrew so you can enjoy a bespoke afternoon tea that you know you'll really enjoy. You choose your sandwich fillings when you arrive and you can request your warm speciality scone with or without fruit as it arrives with Welsh butter, clotted cream and strawberry jam.
Cakes are chosen from the cake cabinet. The tea room uses locally sourced produce and it's all home-baked.
They cater, too for vegetarians, vegans and those on a gluten or dairy-free diet too. And if you don't get through it all you can take home whatever's left.
Price: £26 for one, £49 for two
2. Palé Hall
Where: The historic country home near Bala that has been transformed into a luxury five star destination hotel with fine dining. Steeped in rich history - Queen Victoria once stayed there - and standing on the edge of Snowdonia National Park the Grade II listed Palé Hall has been redeveloped by its new owners.
What do you get? Quality tea, scones with jam and cream, plus a stacked platter of cakes and sandwiches, served with vintage china, in the exceptional setting of a grand country house. Served between 3 and 4.30pm, it's a pretty delicious - and swanky - way to spend the afternoon.
There isn't just one option of afternoon tea either. There is the full afternoon tea - served with the previously mentioned selection - which can be upgraded to a Champagne Afternoon Tea. Or you can opt for just a cream tea, Welsh tea or a cakes and pastries selection.
Price: £30.00 per person for the Full Afternoon Tea
3. The Angel Hotel
Where? A grand hotel right in the heart of Abergavenny, just down the street from the town's bustling market.
What do you get? Choose between afternoon tea, which involves sandwiches, scones and fresh cakes. The hotel is one of the very view holders of a Tea Guild Award of Excellence outside London.
4. Celtic Manor, Newport
Where? The hotel overlooks the M4 at Junction 24 to the east of Newport, and traditional afternoon tea is served at the main hotel's Olive Tree Garden Room.
What do you get? You can savour a selection of treats and finger sandwiches, delicious hand-made cakes and pastries, and freshly baked vanilla scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam. You can also upgrade to a Champagne Afternoon Tea or Pink Gin Afternoon tea.
Price: £30 Monday - Friday, £36 on Saturdays
5. Lanelay Hall, Talbot Green
Where: Luxury, Instagrammable spa hotel in Pontyclun that is picture-perfect.
What do you get: At a luxury spa like this, it's no surprise that the afternoon tea on offer is also one that exudes luxury. You can enjoy freshly cut sandwiches, warm scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, and a selection of delicious cakes all served with a pot of tea or coffee.
Please be aware that afternoon tea should be booked 24 hours in advance and dietary requirements must be noted.
Price: £30 per person. For sparkling, £36
6. Bodysgallen Hall, Llandudno
Where? In 200 acres of parkland just off the A470 about two miles south of Llandudno.
What do you get? Served in the glorious wood-panelled hall, library or dining room, or on the terrace on warm, sunny days, the traditional tea includes a selection of finger sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, cakes and pastries and a choice of freshly brewed teas. You can opt for a Welsh afternoon tea - which has items like Caerphilly cheese in sarnies and Bara Brith - or a Champagne afternoon tea.
Price: £35
7. Cobbles Kitchen & Deli
Where? Just a short drive from Ogmore-by-Sea beach, Cobbles can be found in an old stone Grade II listed building on Ogmore Road.
What do you get? This is no ordinary afternoon tea. Oh no, this is bottomless afternoon tea - with copious amounts of tea, coffee or soft drinks. With mustard, cheese and pastrami, classic egg mayo and cheese, red onion chutney and tomato brioche sliders on offer, you will also be treated with house made scones and clotted cream with fruit jam, macarons and a selection of homemade cakes
If you want a bottomless prosecco, mimosa, Aperol spritz or gin fizz spread, it's £45pp.
Price: From £25
8. Chateau Rhianfa
Where? Looking across at Bangor from its position on the banks of the Menai Strait, just along A545 from the town of Menai Bridge.
What do you get? You will be tucking into sandwiches, scones with gooey clotted cream and jam and cake. There are also indulgent pastries and deep-filled tarts to sink your teeth into - what a wonderful way to spend the afternoon.
9. Llechwen Hall, Pontypridd
Where: Llechwen Hall is a beautiful country house hotel with stunning views, being situated high above the Cynon Valley. You can enjoy your afternoon sweet treat on the sun terrace overlooking the beautiful countryside, or in the comfortable lounge bar.
What do you get: Sandwich fillings include home baked ham, cucumber and cream cheese and cheese and chutney. For sweet eaters there is toasted almond and cherry bakewell, lemon drizzle cake and candied lemon and raspberry brownie and salted caramel drizzle alongside the classic scone and Welshcake.
Price: From £15 pp
10. Penbont House, Elan Valley
Where:Penbont House is located in Rhayader in the heart of the picturesque Elan Valley Estate and is right by the Pen y Garreg Dam.
What do you get: Their afternoon tea consists of freshly prepared sandwiches, a choice of teas and coffees from the menu and a delicious selection of cakes and scones. They also offer a prosecco afternoon tea and a special 'Gin Tea' experience, served in a "cheeky teapot".
Available from 2.30pm everyday, all they ask is 24 hours notice and a £5 deposit per person to secure the reservation.
Price: From £18.50pp
11. Coed Y Mwstwr, Bridgend
Where? An 1888 mansion set on a hillside above Coychurch, on the outskirts of Bridgend.
What do you get? You can choose from a traditional afternoon tea or opt for a High Tea which has a selection of savoury pastries as well as finger sandwiches, cakes and warm scones - served with homemade jam and clotted cream. There is also a Gentleman's Tea, which consists of a Welsh beef slider, cheese and ham melt, fish & chips, lamb kofta, cheesecake, chocolate brownie, and a small tankard of beer. (24 hours notice is required).
Price: Prices start at £29.95
12. Bryn Meadows Golf Hotel & Spa, Caerphilly
Where? Afternoon tea at Bryn Meadows Golf Hotel and Spa is held in the venue’s Blas restaurant, where guests enjoy tranquil views of the golf course and surrounding valleys in the Caerphilly Borough.
What do you get? The Blas restaurant offers a variety of afternoon tea options to suit tastes and seasonal trends. The traditional afternoon tea includes a selection of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and fruit preserves and a variety of additional sweet treats as well as unlimited tea selection or freshly brewed coffee. Add a smidge of sparkle to your day with a glass of prosecco for an extra cost.
Price: From £24.95
13. Blossom Cafe, Cardiff
Where? On the borders of Cathays and Roath in Cardiff lies Blossom Cafe on Wellfield Road. An Instagrammable eatery which does equally as picturesque afternoon teas.
What do you get? Choose between its standard afternoon tea - that is far from generic with a few exotic additions like macarons and baklava and chocolate mousse or an ultimate afternoon tea which comes with unlimited refills of tea and a mocktail. You will need to book in advance.
14. The Great House Hotel, Bridgend
Where? A sprawling stone Grade-II 16th-century hunting lodge in Laleston, right on the A473 to the west of Bridgend.
What do you get? A selection of sandwiches (fillings include coronation chicken, goat's cheese and pesto and white white, spring onion and cherry tomato), homemade scones, cakes - some of which include mini citrus meringue pie, red velvet cookie sandwich, lamington, salted caramel eclair - a choice of fair trade coffees, freshly brewed teas and herbal infusions.
You can also get a vegan afternoon tea, which requires a minimum of four people to book.
Price: From £19.95
15. The Grove of Narbeth, Narbeth
Where? A luxury country house hotel in Pembrokeshire with beautiful views of the Preseli Hills and beyond.
What do you get? If tea is your thing, you really need to come here as the afternoon tea menu offers multiple varieties of loose-leaf tea and infusions, namely Jing. It also has delightful sandwiches, scones and clotted creams, cakes and desserts which you can enjoy in front of the roaring fire in one of their luxurious lounges or, weather permitting, on the sunny terrace, gazing out at the view.
Price: From £38
16. The Grand Hotel, Swansea
Where? Perfectly located in Swansea city centre.
What do you get? At the Grand Hotel, there's not a cucumber sandwich in sight! Instead, customers are served delicious and filling winter warmers like mini burgers, sausage roll slices and mini fish 'n chips.
As for dessert, there's so much choice from a traditional scone with jam and cream to carrot cake with vanilla cream cheese icing, or a luxurious double chocolate mousse with berry compote, to name a few menu items. You can read our review here.
Price: From £25
17. Park Plaza, Cardiff
Where? A slick and modern hotel right in the middle of Cardiff's busy Greyfriars Road, and backing onto the Gorsedd Gardens and Civic Centre.
What do you get? The Traditional Afternoon Tea includes finger sandwiches, buttermilk sultana scones, Welsh cakes, and miniature cakes and pastries. Or you can upgrade to the Hendrick's 'Flora Adora' Afternoon Tea, with the addition of a classic Hendrick's gin cocktail, served in a vintage teapot.
Alternatively, there's the Gentlemen's Afternoon Tea, including mini lamb burgers, Scotch eggs and roasted Welsh beef stuffed Yorkshire puddings in place of macarons and finger sandwiches.
Price: From £25.95
18. Holt Lodge, Wrexham
Where? A modern hotel complex surrounded by fields on the edge of the A534 to the east of Wrexham.
What do you get? A selection of sandwiches, sultana scones with clotted cream and preserves, a variety of cakes and pastries, plus your choice of tea and coffee. Served between 12 and 5pm daily, it must be pre-booked.
Price: £15 per person
19. Lake Country House, Llangammarch
Where? A country house hotel in 50 acres of grounds in Llangammarch Well, in Powys.
What do you get? Three choices: Cream Tea, with fruit and plain scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream, Welsh Tea, with homemade Welsh cakes and bara brith and the Full Tea, with sandwiches, Welsh cakes, bara brith, fruit scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream and a selection of cakes. To book a full tea, 24 hours notice must be given. Dietary requirements can be accommodated for too.
With a vast selection of teas, too, you can have Winter Dream (Lemon and Ginger), Berries Delight, Rosehip & Hibiscus, Lapsang Souchong, Masala Chai, Strawberries & Mango, Saffron, Chamomile, Rooibos Orange, Green Lemon, Jasmine Blossom, Peppermint - to name just some of what's on offer. Add bubbles for an additional £9.50 per glass (of prosecco) or £39 for half a bottle of Champagne.
Price: From £9.95 pp
20. Lake Vyrnwy Hotel, Powys
Where? Home to one of the most famous views in Wales, this spa hotel sits on the banks of Lake Vyrnwy, around 19 miles from Welshpool.
What do you get? An amazing panorama as you tuck into sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, plus a selection of cakes. There's also a range of teas and coffees to choose from and hot chocolate, if you're so inclined. They can also add a glass of Champagne to make your experience extra special.
Afternoon tea is available daily and is served 12pm – 5pm, pre-booking is highly recommended to avoid disappointment.
Price: From £9 for cream tea and £22.50 for its full afternoon tea
21. Llanerch Vineyard, Vale of Glamorgan
Where? Surrounded by grapevines in the verdant Vale of Glamorgan countryside, just south of the M4 at Junction 34, this afternoon tea will be enjoyed in one of Wales' oldest vineyards.
What do you get? Their popular afternoon tea includes freshly made and seasonal savoury and sweet treats. The afternoon tea is split into different tiers, Savoury Slate, Bottom Tier, Middle Tier and Top Tier.
Savour Slate includes a sausage roll, bottom tier includes lemon and rocket chicken on white bread, middle tier is scones with strawberry jam and clotted cream and top tier is the sweet treats including malted chocolate tart. It's served overlooking the vineyard between midday and 4.30 pm Monday to Saturday.
22. St David’s Hotel and Spa's Tir a Mor, Cardiff
Where? One of the most distinctive buildings in Wales, the sweep of this landmark hotel looms over the water of Cardiff Bay.
What do you get? Called Bay View Tea this afternoon tea comes with sandwiches including local gammon and Welsh grain mustard and Snowdonia Black Bomber and onion chutney. Of course no afternoon tea is complete without a scone with jam and clotted cream and you can also enjoy sweet treats including white chocolate and hedgerow berry tea cake and a raspberry tarlet.
What's lovely about this menu is that £1 from each afternoon tea will go to Keep Wales Tidy. Add a glass of prosecco or champagne for an added cost.
Price: From £32 per person
23. Llangoed Hall, Bannau Brycheiniog
Where? A country mansion next to the River Wye, just next to the A470 near Llyswen, on the fringes of the Bannau Brycheiniog.
What do you get? The Classic Afternoon Tea consists of freshly made sandwiches, homemade scones, preserves and clotted cream and Newby Tea or Black Mountain Coffee. Turn it into an Gin Afternoon Tea - if you're a gin fan - for an extra tenner.
You could also try the Laura Ashley Afternoon Tea which includes a glass of Elderflower Champagne. Afternoon tea is served daily from 12.30pm to 4pm and you need to book within 24 hours notice.
Price: From £26
24. Ruthin Castle Hotel, Ruthin
Where? Dating partly from the 13th century, but mainly from 1826, this stone castle lies on the edge of Ruthin itself.
What do you get? Afternoon tea at Ruthin Castle is something very special… it’s chic, stylish and very tasty. Sneak into the authentic Welsh Castle for an afternoon of indulgence and enjoy the breathtaking views of north Wales' countryside.
In this swanky afternoon tea - for which booking is essential - you'll enjoy a selection of classic sandwiches, plus pastries and sweet treats with fresh brewed tea or coffee. Available seven days a week between 1pm and 4pm.
Price: From £19.50
25. The Wildings Hotel, Llandudno
Where? A newly refurbished seafront hotel (previously known as St Tudno Hotel) in the middle of Llandudno's famous promenade.
What do you get? At Tudno's Restaurant within the hotel, the afternoon tea includes sandwiches whose fillings include smoked salmon and cucumber, homemade scones with jam and cream and an assortment of sweet treats that includes bara brith. You can even add a glass of prosecco to start and strawberries and cream to finish for an extra £7.50.
Price: £17.50 per person
26. Hensol Castle, Vale of Glamorgan
Where? Situated just three minutes off junction 34 of the M4 and 15 minutes from Cardiff city centre, the afternoon tea is served inside Hensol Castle Atrium.
What do you get? Enjoy an afternoon tea in the luxurious surroundings of a historic castle that serves up a selection of sandwiches and sweet favourites like caramel banana bread and triple chocolate scones. Hensol also has a special vegan and gluten-free menu so those with dietary requirements do not have to worry about missing out!
You can add on a glass of champagne for a extra £6.50 and a class of Hensol Castle Gin for £7.50.
Price: From £27.50
27. Wolfscastle Country Hotel
Where? The former 1600 cottage was redesigned in 1880 into a seven-bedroom vicarage and now stands proudly in Haverfordwest as a historic luxury venue.
What do you get? Their afternoon tea - named The Stirling Afternoon Tea - menu offers a selection of sandwiches, traditional and fruit scones - with jam and cream, of course, and a selection of sweet and savoury delicacies. Expect items like raspberry and white chocolate layer cake, hazelnut profiterole and banoffee pie for those with a sweet tooth. Savoury options include a pork and sausage lattice, scotch egg and a chicken and pesto sandwich.
Price: £32 per person
28. Waterloo Tea, across Cardiff
Where? Part of the Waterloo Tea empire, you can find the biggest dining room in Cardiff's Wyndham Arcade, or choose between the original cafe in Penylan, Wellfield Road or Washington Tea in Penarth .
What do you get? A selection of fresh cakes, scones with clotted cream and jam, sandwiches, macarons... and your choice from probably the widest varieties of tea in Wales.
29. Llety Cynin, St Clears
Where? B&B and leisure club in Carmarthenshire
What do you get? Llety Cynin is offering a selection of sandwiches on locally sourced bread, elderflower and raspberry ripple blondie, chocolate and mint Welshcakes and more for its sweet treats while savoury items include pork and chorizo sausage rolls. Of course we can't forget the classic scones, james and clotted cream.
Price: £19.45 per person
30. Parc Pantry, Malpas
Where? Parc Pantry is a cafe launched by two school friends in Malpas, Newport.
What do you get? Fresh fruit, scones and cakes are just some of the treats you can tuck into, while for the more savoury leaning of eaters, you can choose from the Pantry's rustic classic selection which includes brie and cranberry and ham salad (among others) on a doorstop white bread. Delightful.
Gluten-free options are available as well as vegan. Fancy an even more indulgent afternoon? Pimp your afternoon tea with an espresso martini or glass of fizz. Want it to take away? You're in luck as Parc Pantry also do afternoon teas to go.
Price: £18 per person
31. St Brides Spa Hotel, Saundersfoot
Where: Swanky spa hotel with fabulous sea views
What do you get: The view over Saundersfoot Bay is pretty stunning from this modern spa hotel and is a great backdrop for an indulgent afternoon tea. On the menu, you'll find a selection of finger sandwiches, assortment of sweet treats and scones with jam and clotted cream. Add champers or prosecco on for an extra cost.
Price: From £25
32. Miskin Manor, Pontyclun
Where: Historic South Wales grade II listed Miskin Manor is a brilliant place for afternoon tea in Pontyclun.
What do you get: Indulge in a beautiful selection of pastries and cakes made by the hotel's "highly talented pastry chefs" with one of their fabulous afternoon teas. Children's Afternoon Tea is also available. Because their High Tea is so popular, it’s advisable to book well in advance.
Price: From £26
33. Parkgate Hotel, Cardiff
Where: Cardiff city centre, a stones throw away from the Principality Stadium
What do you get: For a total luxury afternoon tea head to the Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff. You will enjoy savoury canapes, finger sandwiches including roasted British reared chicken breast and avocado, pastries including bara brith and caramel and of course freshly baked scones.
Price: Prices start at £34