The best afternoon tea in West Sussex

For those seeking the finest afternoon tea in Sussex, there are countless charming venues to explore along the Great Sussex Way, ranging from hotels steeped in history to castles, canals and lodges. Whether you’re planning a unique weekend activity or celebrating a special occasion, Sussex has plenty to offer.   

Serving up freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches and a selection of loose-leaf teas, you’ll find a range of elegant hotels and cafés  offering afternoon tea in Chichester. The Chichester Harbour Hotel offers a refined experience with handcrafted pastries and a variety of teas, making it a popular choice for both visitors and locals. If you prefer a countryside setting, head to the nearly 600-year-old Spread Eagle Hotel & Spa in the historic market town of Midhurst, heart of the South Downs National Park. Here you can sip Sussex Wine (which has its own PDO) whilst indulging in a traditional afternoon tea relaxing alongside an inglenook fireplace. Another Sussex venue oozing in history is the 900-year-old Amberley Castle, where you can enjoy afternoon tea, including warm scones, seasonal preserves, and a selection of speciality teas or sparkling wine, in the beautifully manicured castle gardens. 

If sitting by water restores your inner zen, you may want to consider a laid-back Cream Tea Cruise along the Chichester Canal, or if it’s the whole family plus the dog in attendance, check out the grade two listed Swanbourne Lodge Tearoom, overlooking Arundel’s beautiful Swanbourne Lake. Here you can indulge in a sumptuous afternoon tea with Prosecco whilst the dog enjoys the doggy ice cream and biscuits on tap.    

Just a short stroll from Bracklesham's shoreline, you'll find Bracklesham Bay Tea Rooms and Garden, a spot familiar to locals as the starting point for exploring the bay. Housed in a charming thatched cottage, known locally as Clifford's Cottage, the tearooms offer a delightful garden setting. Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the "Little Tearoom."

For those who enjoy a classic afternoon tea, Sussex offers a huge range of venues that pride themselves on serving authentic afternoon teas. These experiences typically feature a selection of loose-leaf teas, sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and pastries.  

In West Dean Gardens, the Garden Restaurant offers a sophisticated take on afternoon tea in a countryside location. Their menu features a combination of seasonal pastries, cakes, and a selection of loose-leaf teas. Guests can also enjoy their tea while overlooking the gardens.

The world-famous Goodwood Estate offers a traditional afternoon tea within the exquisite setting of a stately home ballroom. Following a tour of Goodwood Houses’ State Apartments, you’ll indulge in hand-made delicacies made using estate-reared, organic produce from Goodwood Home Farm, as part of Goodwood’s Afternoon Tea and Tour package. Bosham’s Millstream Hotel offers an equally tantalising traditional afternoon tea, adorned with canapes, scones, sweet treats, tea and coffee, plus the addition of Prosecco and Champagne should you wish to add a little fizz to the affair.

If you prefer to dine in the open air, assuming the weather is playing ball, The Old Railways Station Tea Room in the historic market town of Petworth offers a traditional afternoon tea with a twist. Serving up tea and coffee, finger sandwiches, scones, cakes and treats in the waiting room of the former Petworth Railway Station - built in 1892 - you can take your experience al fresco on the platform, or sit by the fire in the winter. If you’re seeking takeaway afternoon tea in Sussex, carry-out afternoon teas packed in beautiful four-tier cardboard stands are available here too.   

For those seeking a more lavish day out - perhaps the very best afternoon tea in Sussex - the area is home to range of elegant tearooms, restaurants, and hotels that provide a refined experience. These venues focus on exquisite presentation, high-quality ingredients, and impeccable service, making them ideal for those looking to celebrate or simply indulge. 

You’ll relish in the detail when taking afternoon tea at Cowdray’s Walled Garden. This exclusive venue, only accessible for afternoon tea or private hire, is one of Midhurst’s best kept secrets. The tranquil walled garden is nestled in a discreet corner alongside the famous Cowdray Ruins, which were once visited by Queen Elizabeth I and Henry VIII. Whilst the venue is top notch, the experience you’ll have here is top notch too. Afternoon tea, made using locally sourced ingredients reflective of the season, is lovingly prepared by the in-house pastry chefs, and follows the traditional combination of sweet and savoury.

Alternatively, dine in style in the grand setting of Pallant House Gallery, one of the UKs most distinctive public galleries. Adding a dose of culture to your traditional afternoon tea, you can indulge alongside the seasonally changing art exhibition, or in the courtyard under the canopy of beautiful plane trees. You will be served a selection of delicious savoury bites, fruit scones with jam and clotted cream, and decadent handmade sweet treats.

If it’s a bit of sparkle you wish to add to your exquisite experience, why not treat yourself to afternoon tea at a vineyard in Sussex. Sparkling afternoon tea and tour packages are available at the award-winning Tinwood Estate. After a thirty-minute guided vineyard tour, you’ll be treated to three glasses of Tinwood Sparkling wine in the Tasting Room, whilst tucking into a carefully crafted afternoon tea of finger sandwiches, warm scones, and homemade cakes.

There’s no better way to celebrate than with afternoon tea in Sussex. Whether it’s a birthday, anniversary, or Mother's Day, afternoon tea offers the perfect celebration. Many venues offer tailored afternoon tea experiences with added touches of luxury, whilst others offer takeaway afternoon teas or afternoon tea delivery.  

For a Mother's Day treat, consider booking an afternoon tea at Joanna’s Boutique Tea Room in Chichester. Carefully curated food is served on beautiful white linen in opulent sage and pink surroundings, glittering with chandeliers. If you have a big enough party, private hire is available here too. Add the extra sparkle with a bottle of Sussex Wine or cider. Or, perhaps book an afternoon tea at The Goodwood Hotel, where guests can enjoy an afternoon tea in a countryside setting. Their special Mother's Day menu often includes a glass of sparkling wine or a floral-themed dessert to mark the occasion.

For a celebration that the dog can join, the dog-friendly Old Piggery Farm Shop & Tea Room offers a great place to party close to the beach. Just a short bus journey from the historic Sussex seaside town of Selsey, and close to the RSPB Pagham Harbour, the Old Piggery Farm Shop serves scrummy cakes, large fruit scones with strawberry jam, plus a selection of finger sandwiches and a pot of tea as part of its afternoon tea package. What’s more, there’s also a dedicated party table!

Seeking afternoon tea delivery in Sussex? If your celebrations need to take place at home, or you have plans to indulge in afternoon tea in the sunshine, check out The Hungry Guest’s afternoon tea hamper. Bringing together some of the best-selling sweet treats from Petworth’s popular Hungry Guest Café, with tea, coffee, scones, jam, clotted cream, bubbles and biscuits, you’ll find everything you need for a joyous celebration all presented within a beautiful wicker hamper.