The best afternoon teas in the Lake District

Afternoon tea suits the Lake District. The weather gives you every excuse to sit indoors with a pot of tea and a view, and the country house hotels around Windermere in particular do it very well. This guide lists places that, on their own websites in October 2026, were offering afternoon tea to visitors. Menus, sittings and prices change through the year, so treat it as a shortlist and check the details with the venue when you book.

Windermere: the country houses

The shores of Windermere and the hills above them are home to many of the region's country house hotels. Most of those below welcome non-residents for tea if you book.

Gilpin Lake House

Gilpin's six-bedroom Lake House sits in its own grounds beside Knipe Tarn, about a mile from the main hotel, and it is one of the most peaceful places in the region for tea. It is served daily from 1pm to 3.30pm, and you do not need to be staying to book. The traditional afternoon tea is listed at £35 per person and a version with Champagne at £51, with a festive tea served with mulled wine at £45 in season (checked October 2026). Tell the kitchen about allergies or dietary requirements when you book, or at least 24 hours ahead. See our Gilpin Lake House listing.

Storrs Hall

A Grade II* listed Georgian mansion on the shore of Windermere, in peaceful grounds with lake views. Afternoon tea is served from 12.30pm to 4.30pm and starts from £35 per person, with a festive version from 12 November to 22 December and a Winnie the Pooh themed tea for children (checked October 2026). Book at least 24 hours ahead, as everything is made on the day. The hotel says it cannot offer a fully dairy-free, gluten-free or vegan afternoon tea, so this is one to avoid if those apply to you.

Linthwaite House

A Leeu Collection hotel on a hilltop above Windermere, with views from the terrace over the lake to the Coniston fells. Afternoon tea is served in the Bar and Conservatory. Book through the hotel for times and prices. See our Linthwaite House listing.

Holbeck Ghyll

A country house hotel on Holbeck Lane, Windermere, with lake views from its rooms. Its website describes its afternoon tea as renowned and has a dedicated page for booking. See our Holbeck Ghyll listing.

Langdale Chase

A Victorian mansion on the shore of Windermere, on Ambleside Road, where tea is served in the Dining Room overlooking the lake. Its Swallows and Amazons afternoon tea, themed on Arthur Ransome's story, suits families. It pauses from 16 November 2026 to 5 January 2027, when a festive afternoon tea is served instead (until 23 December). See our Langdale Chase listing.

Lindeth Fell

An Edwardian country house with Arts and Crafts character above Bowness, set in gardens designed by Thomas Mawson and now run as a 14-bedroom five-star bed and breakfast. Afternoon tea is listed among its dining options; contact reception for times. See our Lindeth Fell listing.

The Belsfield

A 4-star heritage hotel above Bowness with lake views, where the Brasserie serves a classic afternoon tea alongside lunch and dinner. A good choice if you want tea in Bowness itself rather than a drive out. See our Belsfield listing.

Ambleside and Grasmere

Rothay Manor

A country house hotel in Ambleside, part of Small Luxury Hotels of the World, whose restaurant, Rowan, is open to non-residents daily. Afternoon tea has its own page on the hotel's site. It is an easy pairing with a morning walk on Loughrigg Fell or round Rydal Water. See our Rothay Manor listing.

Keswick and Derwentwater

Lodore Falls Hotel

On the shore of Derwentwater in Borrowdale, beside the Lodore waterfall. Afternoon tea is served in the Lake View Restaurant and lounge, with views across the water, and the Falls Brasserie also serves teas during the day. A festive tea runs from mid-November to early January. See our Lodore Falls listing.

Armathwaite Hall

A grand country house in 400 acres of deer park and woodland beside Bassenthwaite Lake, beneath Skiddaw. The hotel serves a traditional afternoon tea and sells afternoon tea gift vouchers through its website. See our Armathwaite Hall listing.

Ullswater

Inn on the Lake, Glenridding

A 4-star hotel in about 15 acres of gardens running down to the shore of Ullswater. Afternoon tea is served in the lounges and Orangery, and on the terrace in warmer months, with a festive version from mid-November to early January. It fits neatly round a trip on the lake steamers. See our Inn on the Lake listing and our Ullswater long weekend.

The southern end of Windermere

The Swan, Newby Bridge

A riverside hotel at Newby Bridge, at the southern tip of Windermere, with the Holte Spa on site. Its website describes an afternoon tea with a Lake District twist. At the time of checking, the hotel said it could not yet adapt its afternoon tea for vegan or gluten-free diets.

How to choose

• For the view: Storrs Hall and Langdale Chase are right on the shore of Windermere; Inn on the Lake and Lodore Falls do the same for Ullswater and Derwentwater.
• For peace and quiet: Gilpin Lake House, by its private tarn.
• With children: Storrs Hall's children's tea and Langdale Chase's Swallows and Amazons theme are both designed with families in mind.
• Gluten-free, dairy-free or vegan: ask before you book. Storrs Hall and The Swan both say they cannot fully cater for these diets at present, and Gilpin asks for at least 24 hours' notice.

Before you book

• Book ahead. Most hotels prepare afternoon tea fresh and need notice, often 24 hours, and weekends fill quickly.
• Check the sitting times. Many serve only in a window between lunch and early evening, typically from about lunchtime to mid-afternoon or 4.30pm.
• Prices: we only quote prices where the venue publishes them, and they change. Check current prices when you book.
• Christmas: most of these hotels switch to a festive menu from mid-November, and dates are listed on their sites.
• Getting there: check parking with the hotel when you book. Our parking guide covers the public car parks in Bowness and Ambleside, and the rainy-day guide has more ideas for a wet afternoon.