It’s time to welcome the spring with a spot of afternoon tea. Judith Palmer reports on some of the loveliest tea rooms to visit in Norfolk
Enjoy afternoon tea in the Georgian splendour of The Assembly House, where classic tiered stands are served on marbletopped tables in a room which itself looks like an indulgently iced wedding cake. A carefully designed menu of sumptuous delicacies awaits afternoon tea diners, from delicate finger sandwiches to sweet and cheese scones to sigh for, perfectly formed pastries to an array of bite-sized cakes, served with a choice of loose leaf tea or a glass of Champagne Moutard Grand Cuvee.
Afternoon tea costs £18.95 for one and £34 for two.
Theatre Street, Norwich, NR2 1RQ; 01603 626402
Biddy’s Tea Room, Norwich & Aylsham
Biddy’s is an independent Victorian-inspired tea room. Dreamed up in 2010 by owner Charlie Buchan and named after her dog Biddy, everything is homemade in its Aylsham bakery. Biddy’s specialises in creating tailored afternoon teas made by choosing your own sandwiches, cakes, scones and any of the 60 loose leaf teas.
Lower Goat Lane, Norwich, NR2 1EL
The Market Place, Aylsham, NR11 6EH
Afternoon teas are a speciality at Byfords in the centre of Holt where you can build a selection to suit your tastes in the characterful restaurant, full of beams, nooks and crannies. The scones are baked fresh every day, the cakes are handmade locally and the sandwiches are made to order and you can add a glass of champagne if you choose.
Shirehall Plain, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6BG; 01263 711400;
This is a perfect place to sit and enjoy afternoon tea (£20 per person), perhaps after a walk around the herb garden and orchard, or on colder days in front of the roaring log fire. There is a selection of freshly made sandwiches, homemade cakes, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and homemade jam, chocolate eclairs, mini tartlets and mini desserts, and if you are celebrating why not add a glass of champagne?
Grimston, near King’s Lynn, PE32 1AH; 01485 600250
Winner of the Norfolk’s Best Pub category in the EDP Norfolk Food & Drink Awards 2015, The Cliff Hotel offers a delicious High Tea Experience for that special occasion. It includes a selection of Savoy sandwiches, homemade fruit scones with Devon clotted cream and Tiptree jam, plus fresh patisserie cakes. Prices range from £14 per person including tea or coffee to £17 per person with a glass of bubbly.
Cliff Hill, Gorleston, NR31 6DH; 01493 662179
Afternoon tea at the Folly Tearoom in Holt is not to be missed. There are three variations to choose from - traditional, The Pink Folly and The Gentleman’s Folly; each one is three tiers of heaven!
Hopper’s Yard, Bull Street, Holt, NR25 6LN; 01263 713569
Heydon Village Tea Room, Heydon
Give 24 hours’ notice and you will be able to enjoy the full experience of a traditional afternoon tea in this quintessential tea room, where everything is homemade and hand decorated with love and pride on the premises using quality and where possible, locally sourced ingredients.
The Street, Heydon, NR11 6AD; 01263 587211
Strattons offers a delicious traditional afternoon tea in relaxed, comfy and funky surroundings - go alfresco in summer or by the fire in winter in the fabulous hotel lounges. The afternoon tea changes with the season, so look out for Mother’s Day, Easter and Wimbledon specials. At least 24 hours’ notice is required and everything is made on site.
Ash Close, Swaffham, PE37 7NH; 01760 723845
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