The Alice at The Randolph Hotel, Oxford

The setting, in a word: iconic. At The Alice, expect a riotous colour and style mashup, with waltzer banquettes in retro baby pink matched with green upholstered chairs. Sit amid quirky art, jaw-droppingly huge chandeliers and snippets of Oxford history as you sip tea and nibble. The Alice afternoon tea is as whimsical as you’d expect, served between 12pm – 4.45pm every day in The Alice or The Drawing Room for £34.50. Think flouncy scones, neat sandwich soldiers and glossy chocolates that wink at you from tiered silver cake stands.

The Nest at The Feathers, Woodstock

Treat your mum to a Michelin guide worthy afternoon tea for (literal) brownie points; the spread at The Nest is elegant and refined. Just like her, you might add. The stellar kitchen team excels in classics with a regional, seasonal twist. Think cucumber sandwiches with pink peppercorn crème fraîche, served alongside locally blended Jeeves and Jericho loose tea, and perhaps a glass of rosé fizz for kicks. £35pp.

The Relais, Henley

Heaven is only a scone away at hot shot The Relais – a boutique hotel nestled on the banks of the River Thames in the always elegant Henley. Lovingly yours for just £35pp, it’s safe to say the in-house pastry chefs take their pâtisserie preeeetty seriously. Scones are huge and served warm, and the sandwiches are cut with near surgical precision. Finish the day with a meander by the water.

The Evergreen Tea Room at Burnham Beeches Hotel, Burnham

Once part of Windsor Great Park, the setting for this chi chi afternoon tea is practically regal. Live your Bridgerton dreams by looking out over palatial grounds, steaming cup of Darjeeling in hand. Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea on 14th and 15th March promises to be a treat; they’re elevating the usuals with truffled egg mayo sandwiches, orange and raisin scones and pistachio opera cake, with sunflower cake pops to end things on a sweet and cheery note. £39pp, fizz included.

Cliveden House, Taplow

Cliveden Dining Room, Cliveden House Hotel Taplow afternoon tea in berkshire afternoon tea near me

Whether you’re taking tea like a duchess or swinging from the chandeliers like a rock star, afternoon tea at Cliveden House is a VVIP event (from £68pp or £88pp with champagne). You’ll be seated in the Cliveden Dining Room or The Great Hall and served elevated savouries like Queen Elizabeth’s Balmoral game pie and Prince Philip’s beef and Yorkshire pudding. Alongside pillowy scones with homemade jam and clotted cream, cakes like King Charles’ Garden Berry Tart are a nod to the both house’s rich history and its royal ties. You can choose from the menu of teas but popping a bottle of Laurent-Perrier sounds much more fun.

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Waddesdon Manor, near Aylesbury

Fancy wandering the Waddesdon grounds before a sumptuous tea in its French-inspired surrounds? Tear yourself away from the aviary, rose garden and sun-dappled looping walks to pop into the Manor Restaurant for a Mother’s Day afternoon tea on 14 and 15 March, created in-house by head pâtissier Craig Clark. It’s a departure from the classic offering with crayfish with a mango and lime mayonnaise in a spinach slider and warm spring pea and feta tartlet. Then to follow, vanilla, rhubarb and pistachio verrine and lemon, white chocolate and fennel choux bun. The damage is £39.95pp and £18.50 for kids, with vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and dairy-free options available on request.

Peterley Manor Farm, Great Missenden

It’s well worth a visit to Peterley Manor Farm’s Barn Kitchen in leafy mid Buckinghamshire for its afternoon tea, as well as its fabulously stocked farm shop, butcher’s and nursery. It’s hit the creative zone with its afternoon tea menu, using its fabulous local ingredients in inventive new ways. There’s roast chicken and herb mayo brioche, hot chalk stream trout with crostini and chocolate, fig and tahini tiffin – you get the picture. Tea is £33pp and there’s plenty of vegan options available, including many of the incredible cakes. There’s a special afternoon tea set menu for Mother’s weekend this year too, including moreish wild garlic arancini and rhubarb and cardamom macaron. £35pp, and don’t miss browsing the Mother’s Market after you’ve filled your boots.

The Crazy Bear, Stadhampton

Afternoon tea might not be the first thing that springs to mind at The Crazy Bear in Stadhampton – a luxury adults-only den with a sister hotel in Beaconsfield (read our review here) – but alongside the jazzy-coloured cocktails, The Bear does a roaring trade in cakes too. Its afternoon tea is a traditional three-tiered affair (£36pp) with clotted cream scones, petit fours and The Bear’s signature tear-drop sandwiches. There’s plenty of exotic-sounding teas as refreshment (try Oriental Oolong), or you can go wild and upgrade to a Champagne tea with a flute of premium Lanson or Tsarine fizz.

Danesfield House, Marlow

This imposing Grade II-listed Neo-Tudor-style country house hotel outside Marlow serves a quintessential afternoon tea with petite sandwiches, scones, homemade cake and Cornish clotted cream – plus stunning views of the Thames if you eat on the terrace. The five-star venue is rich with history, having been requisitioned during the Second World War as a base for aerial photographic intelligence. Cream tea starts at £20pp, afternoon tea is £45pp and Taittinger Brut Champagne Afternoon Tea is £60pp if you fancy pushing the boat out.

The Langley, Iver

Pinkies perfectly poised, it’s five-star all the way. How’s this for a setting? The Langley is a luxe Bucks hotel with an equally indulgent afternoon tea to match. Head to the sun-dappled terrace for finger sandwiches, warm scones, and exquisitely crafted pâtisserie. There’s always the 150 acres of Capability Brown gardens and parkland to walk off your sugar high.

The Orangery, Blenheim Palace

Amble just outside of Woodstock to the grandeur of Blenheim Palace and get settled in the The Orangery for an afternoon tea inspired by Blenheim’s baroque architecture. Savouries include slow-cooked duck rillettes on brioche crostini and roast, horseradish and watercress sliders, but it’s the sweets menu that goes truly architectural. There’s a ‘tools down’ custard chocolate roll and candied fruit dome named after “The Rockstar of English Baroque”, Sir John Vanbrugh (it’s the 300th anniversary of the Georgian great this year). £60pp with a glass of champagne, or £38pp for a traditional afternoon tea, then head off to see all of that Baroque splendour for yourselves.

Hartwell House, near Aylesbury

King Louis XVIII held court at elegant Hartwell House when he was exiled from France, and you can too, in hopefully less stressful circumstances. Choose to devour afternoon tea in the Morning Room, Drawing Room or Library (it’s giving Downton). Then sit back as you’re served a decadent selection including the likes of roast Oxfordshire beef, tomato and horseradish sandwiches and macarons with Irish cream ganache and espresso gel (that’ll perk you up). The buttermilk scones just keep coming, as do the bubbles. We’d go for a flute of local Dinton Folly rosé brut, accompanied by at least one round of fragrant tea. £44pp.

Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea at Tythe, Launton

This dreamy rustic wedding and events venue has hosted soirées for the likes of Chanel, Burberry and De Beers, so hopefully it’ll pass muster with your mum. Mother’s Day afternoon tea on Sun 15 March will be held in a beautifully restored Grade II listed barn and you can celebrate the occasion with bottomless tea, fresh scones, finger sandwiches and sweet treats, as well as a glass of champagne if the mood takes you. If you’re planning a wedding in 2026, it’s a great opp to check out one of the loveliest venues in Oxfordshire too (and get your mum or MIL’s take). From £34.95pp.

Chicheley Hall, Newport Pagnell

Afternoon tea is a Sunday only affair at this Grade I listed 18th century mansion, but it’s worth the wait. The House afternoon tea features all of the greatest hits (smoked salmon and dill sandwiches, Vicky sponge) while the sparkling offering includes a glass of Tyringham 2013 Classic Cuvée, made five miles from the estate, or a G&T if that’s more your vibe. Afternoon tea hours are extended for Mother’s Day and a live harpist will create an extremely serene backdrop for your finger sandwich and scone banquet. From £29.95pp.

Old Parsonage Hotel, Oxford

About as bountifully British as it gets, indulge in this glorious English pastime tucked away in the centre of the city. Whether it’s on the walled terrace or surrounded by stunning original portraits and a roaring log fire, the afternoon tea options are bountiful, whether you’re in the zone for for a light cream tea (£14.50pp), very high tea (£38pp) or celebration tea with a glass of champagne (£50pp). We’ll be making a beeline for the coffee choux bun in particular.

The Folly, Oxford

Take tea by the water at this relaxing riverside spot. The afternoon tea offering is a classic lineup of cucumber, smoked salmon and chicken sandwiches, all served with a selection of cakes, pile of homemade scones and bubbles if ‘high tea’ is high on your list. Mother’s Day afternoon tea runs from 2:30 – 3:30pm on Sun 15 March so nab a table sharpish, especially if you fancy celebrating in a private dining dome al fresco. From £27.95pp.

Quod, Oxford

Slap-bang in the centre of Oxford, shop ’til you drop before retreating to the calming surrounds of Quod – a swish hotel that whispers urban cool. The brilliant and highly ‘grammable afternoon tea is not to be missed and best enjoyed window-side ogling Oxford’s most famous colleges. When the sun’s shining, the Italian garden terrace is a stunner. Cream tea is £12.95 and traditional high tea is £28.95,

The Ivy, Marlow & Oxford

It’s not a tea party until there’s a full-blown discussion about how to pronounce ‘scone.’ Let the debate roll on at The Ivy, a grown-up setting to gather the girls and devour. The afternoon tea here is less of a meal and more of a genteel performance — with clotted cream as the star, and finger sandwiches playing strong supporting roles. You arrive feeling fancy, and leave wondering how you managed to eat your bodyweight in miniature cakes while still managing to hold on to your poise. Choose from Marlow (head for the garden terrace if it’s fine out) or Oxford to get your sweet fix for £35.95pp.

Victors, Oxford

It’s famously hard to find a good spot to look out over Oxford’s magnificent architecture, but the view of the dreaming spires from the roof terrace is a contender. Victors is a cocktail bar as much as a restaurant, and its afternoon tea has the same kind of party vibe. Bright colours and pretty plates with not a raisin out of place, afternoon tea at Victors serves up the usuals – plus caramel choux lollipops, rosé Champagne macarons and your choice of unlimited tea for just £32.50.

Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes

Step back in time with a vintage afternoon tea at Bletchley Park. Served up at the Victorian Mansion in the dining room once used by codebreakers, it’s on for selected Fri, Sat and Suns throughout the year. It’s slightly quirky (hello, Earl Grey-soaked scones), with delicious sandwiches and tempting sweets like spiced carrot with orange ganache and cranberry shortbread with matcha green tea icing. I think I’ve cracked it, seconds please! Tea costs from £32, or from £60 including admission to Bletchley Park, and there’s plenty of provisions for vegan and gluten-free guests.

Clink! The best afternoon teas in Bucks & Oxon for Mother’s Day

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