Food: Top five afternoon teas in Cambs and Suffolk

To mark Afternoon Tea Week, Velvet writer Claudia Goodman recommends five top spots to take tea in both Cambridgeshire and Suffolk

In the tedious lull between lunch and dinner, the long-standing tradition of afternoon tea swoops in to provide hungry Brits with a light meal comprised of tea, finger sandwiches, cakes and scones.

Dating back to the 1840s, afternoon tea began with Queen Victoria’s lady-in-waiting requesting snacks be brought to her room to fight off her afternoon lethargy. Thus, the much-loved social occasion of afternoon tea among landed elites was born.

Afternoon Tea Week, which runs annually each August, is dedicated to the celebration of this great tradition. Whilst afternoon tea is now generally treated as a way to mark a special occasion rather than a daily ritual for the upper echelons, it nonetheless remains part of British culture and identity.

Below, I have provided a range of places across Cambridgeshire and Suffolk that provide an exceptional afternoon tea experience. . .

Top five places for afternoon tea in Cambridgeshire

1. The Ivy somewhat predictably steals top spot. An established favourite in central Cambridge for its sophisticated high-end atmosphere, it provides a luxurious setting to enjoy a beautifully made British classic.

2. The décor at Parker’s Tavern imitates features of a traditional Cambridge college, providing visitors with a feel for the city’s rich intellectual history. A more relaxed option, whilst maintaining a sense of luxury.

3. The Orchard Tea Garden’s origin story can be traced back to 1897 when a group of Cambridge students asked to take afternoon tea out to the orchard in Grantchester. Just a short punt or cycle ride from the city, this long-loved café deserves a place on the list for setting alone, sitting alongside the river with its tables and chairs nestled among apple trees.

4. Having kept both Town and Gown in its signature Chelsea buns for more than a century, Fitzbillies is a great option for afternoon tea, with everything made in its own Cambridge bakery nearby. Unsurprisingly, the main attraction would have to be Fitzbillies’ infamous array of delicious cakes.

5. Housed in a reconstructed station in Fen Drayton, Carriages Tea Rooms transports you back in time to the romance and decadence of the 1920s, serving you gorgeous tea tiers whilst offering a unique eating experience relaxing in a restored Pullman carriage.

Top five places for afternoon tea in Suffolk

1. Salthouse Harbour Hotel: enjoy gorgeous food accompanied by stunning views over the marina in Ipswich. Complaints of too much food surely can’t be a bad thing…

2. Maison Talbooth: this former Pride of Britain Hotel of the Year winner, located in Dedham, boasts a stylish riverside country house to enjoy your luxurious afternoon tea in style.

3. The Snug Tea Room: the name reveals all - less glamour yet more comfort is provided by this Westleton Tea Room. This family-run establishment is cosy and welcoming, offering reasonably priced afternoon tea that have enjoyed rave reviews.

4. The Swan: enjoy a quintessentially British afternoon tea experience in a 15th century hotel after exploring the idyllic mediaeval village of Lavenham.

5. The Strawberry Teapot: brimming with character this Sudbury tearoom provides the full victory-era vintage experience. Reviews celebrate not only its tasty afternoon teas, but also its friendly and fun atmosphere.