The best afternoon tea in Somerset comes in many forms. In Bath, you’ll find grand dining rooms steeped in Georgian history, complete with silver teapots, live piano music and tiers piled high with delicate pastries. Venture further into the countryside and the county takes on a more relaxed pace, where garden cafes, rural inns and stylish dining rooms serve afternoon tea with sweeping views, local produce and a warm welcome.
Part of the joy of booking afternoon tea in Somerset is that no two experiences feel quite the same. Some lean into tradition with neatly cut finger sandwiches, fruit scones and loose-leaf tea served in elegant surroundings, while others add contemporary touches through seasonal pastries, sparkling wine pairings or locally inspired menus. Whether you’re planning a birthday celebration, a catch-up with friends or simply carving out an indulgent afternoon for yourself, Somerset offers plenty of memorable spots.
One thing that ties Somerset’s afternoon tea scene together is its setting. You could be sipping Earl Grey by Bath Abbey one day, then tucking into homemade cakes in a converted stable the next. Even better, the county’s expansive larder shines through in many menus, with local cheeses, West Country clotted cream and seasonal ingredients regularly making an appearance.
To help narrow down your options, we’ve rounded up some of the best places for afternoon tea in Somerset, from luxurious hotel lounges to charming independent cafes. So whether you’re after a classic cream tea, a Champagne upgrade or an elegant afternoon in historic surroundings, these are the Somerset spots worth booking now.
Bistro du Vin, Bristol
![glasses of prosecco and afternoon tea stand of savoury treats and scones]()
What: Tucked inside Hotel du Vin, Bistro du Vin offers a polished afternoon tea in atmospheric surroundings filled with wood panelling, leather seating and softly lit corners. The menu stays rooted in tradition while adding French flourishes, with savoury options spanning chicken with tarragon Dijonnaise on pain d’epi, ham and gruyere mini croissants, and smoked salmon with chive cream cheese sarnies. Sweet treats stay on theme with the likes of creme brulee and fine apple tarts, paired with inventive Bird & Blend teas such as lavender and chamomile-infused Dozy Girl or the minty citrus notes of Mojitea. There’s also a simple cream tea option for those looking for something more low-key.
How much: From £29.95 per person
Where: The Sugar House, Narrow Lewins Mead, BS1 2NU
Book now: Bistro du Vin Bristol
The Gainsborough Bath Spa, Bath
![afternoon tea stands on a white-clothed table with elegant crockery]()
What: Afternoon tea at The Gainsborough Bath Spa feels wonderfully suited to its grand Georgian surroundings. Served in the hotel’s elegant Brasserie, the History & Heritage Afternoon Tea blends classic British traditions with nods to Bath’s past. Finger sandwiches lean into the classics with options such as Scottish smoked salmon with cream cheese and eggo with mustard cress, followed by raisin and plain scones with homemade preserves, and an assortment of miniature cakes. Add a glass of Champagne, or Rose Champagne, and it quickly becomes one of the most luxurious afternoon teas Somerset has to offer.
How much: From £40 per person
Where: Beau Street, BA1 1QY
Book now: The Gainsborough Bath Spa
San Remo, Bath
![an elegant restaurant dining room with ornate details and a lemon tree]()
What: Set inside a grand former NatWest building, San Remo brings a sense of occasion to afternoon tea in Bath with interiors inspired by the famous Sanremo floral market and music festival. The experience blends classic Italian hospitality with a lively, contemporary atmosphere, offering a more glamorous alternative to traditional tearooms. Alongside savouries such as coronation chicken sandwiches, ham with mustard mayo and mini cheddar and chive scones, you’ll find colourful sweet treats including raspberry macarons, berry meringue nests and chocolate and strawberry slices. If traditional tearooms aren’t quite your thing, this vibrant Bath spot offers a more modern alternative.
How much: From £35 per person
Where: 15 High Street, BA1 5AQ
Book now: San Remo
Square Grill Restaurant & Piano Bar, Bath
![stand of afternoon tea surrounded by cocktails and bottles of wine]()
What: Set just moments from Bath Abbey, Square Grill pairs elegant interiors with live piano music and one of the city’s more polished afternoon tea offerings. Served beneath chandeliers and floral wallpaper, the menu changes seasonally but typically features finger sandwiches with all your favourite fillings from coronation chicken and egg mayo to cucumber and cream cheese. Freshly baked scones with clotted cream and colourful pastries round out the offering, offering the likes of chocolate and strawberry slices and mini lemon meringue pies. Champagne upgrades are available too, making this a stylish choice for birthdays, anniversaries or a sophisticated afternoon in the city centre.
How much: From £35 per person
Where: 11-12 Abbey Churchyard, BA1 1LY
Book now: Square Grill Restaurant & Piano Bar
The Pump Room, Bath
![Prosecco and tea being poured at an afternoon tea]()
What: Few places capture the grandeur of Bath quite like The Pump Room. Overlooking the Roman Baths and accompanied by live music from resident pianists and trios, afternoon tea here feels delightfully old-school in the best possible way. Menus here are inspired by Jane Austen, paying homage to the writer’s 250th anniversary with regency-era snacks, think sandwiches full of poached salmon and caper butter, or cucumber, cream cheese and poppyseed. Next comes scones with West Country clotted cream and beautifully presented pastries including raspberry and vanilla Battenberg and 'Emma's' strawberry tart. If you’re searching for a classic afternoon tea experience in Somerset, this is hard to beat.
How much: From £44.50 per person
Where: Stall Street, BA1 1LZ
Book now: The Pump Room
The Pony Chew Valley, Chew Magna
![idyllic afternoon tea stands with tea served in floral crockery]()
What: Surrounded by rolling countryside and kitchen gardens, The Pony Chew Valley offers one of the most scenic afternoon teas in Somerset. Served every Saturday, the experience combines the restaurant’s farm-to-table ethos with menus centred around carefully crafted seasonal bakes and thoughtful local produce. Highlights include tea-soaked fruit scones created by the in-house head pastry chef, served with Ivy House Farm Jersey clotted cream for a properly indulgent finish. Add a glass of Gusbourne Blanc de Blanc and the whole experience feels wonderfully English, best enjoyed after a long countryside walk.
How much: £45 for two people
Where: Knowle Hill, Newtown, BS40 8TQ
Book now: The Pony Chew Valley
The Newt, Bruton
![a cup of tea being poured and train carriage style seating]()
What: For one of the most unique afternoon tea experiences in Somerset, step aboard the beautifully restored Maid of Somerset at The Newt. Set inside a 1920s British Pullman carriage, the experience transports guests back to the golden age of railway travel, complete with elegant lighting and vintage crockery. The menu celebrates estate-grown Somerset produce through carefully crafted finger sandwiches, warm scones and homemade pastries such as rhubarb mille-feuille and a mini slice of Victoria sponge. Warm scones with clotted cream and loose-leaf teas complete the experience, with the option to add a glass of something sparkling. You can even pair your booking with access to The Newt’s gardens for a full day out that feels wonderfully indulgent and distinctly Somerset.
How much: From £35 per person
Where: Bruton, BA7 7NG
Book now: The Newt
The Stables at Hestercombe, Taunton
![two people enjoying a relaxed afternoon tea]()
What: Set within Hestercombe’s historic stable buildings, this charming countryside cafe and restaurant offers afternoon tea in a relaxed setting full of rustic character. Best paired with an afternoon exploring the surrounding gardens, the menu features classic finger sandwiches filled with smoked salmon, cucumber and cream cheese, alongside smoked Applewood cheese with red onion marmalade and homemade pork sausage rolls. Freshly baked cakes and pastries complete the experience, from classic Victoria sponge and coffee and walnut cake to delicate cream-filled macarons.
How much: From £24.95 per person
Where: Hestercombe Gardens, Cheddon Fitzpaine, TA2 8LG
Book now: The Stables at Hestercombe
On the hunt for a couple more afternoon teas in the area? We've got complete guides to the best afternoon teas in Bristol, as well as all of Bath's finest afternoon teas, with plenty more options for you to tuck into scones in style.