Afternoon tea is one of my favourite treats. Whether it is for a birthday, baby shower, Mother’s Day or simply an excuse to catch up over tea and cake, it always feels like a proper occasion. Living in Kent, I have been lucky enough to try afternoon tea at several beautiful country houses and hotels across the county. I’ve enjoyed baby showers, family celebrations and relaxed afternoons with friends, and eaten more than my fair share of scones in the process! So I’m here to share my thoughts on afternoon tea in Kent.
Updated August 2026
Kent has lots of lovely choices of afternoon tea, from traditional hotel lounges to castle views, garden terraces and unusual dining pods. To help you choose, I have pulled together some of the best places for afternoon tea in Kent. I’ve includes afternoon tea in Kent with dietary requirements, afternoon tea in Kent for children and ones with different budgets.
I updated this post in August 2026, so be aware that prices can change, particularly for seasonal and themed experiences. It’s best to check directly with the afternoon tea venue before booking.
Best Places for Afternoon Tea in Kent
| Venue | Area | Price guide | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercure Maidstone Great Danes | Maidstone | From £18.95 | Affordable afternoon tea |
| Hempstead House | Sittingbourne | From £23.50 | Traditional country-house tea |
| Leeds Castle | Maidstone | £28 | Castle views |
| Mount Ephraim Gardens | Faversham | £30 including garden entry | Gardens and summer visits |
| The BarnYard | Upchurch | Around £30.95 | Savoury and unusual high tea |
| Chilston Park | Lenham | Check current price | Classic country-house luxury |
| Eastwell Manor | Ashford | From approximately £36 | Celebrations and baby showers |
| Rowhill Grange | Wilmington | £38 | Luxury and spa occasions |
| Oad Street Food and Crafts | Borden | Pod experiences from £38 | Unusual and children’s tea |
| Port Lympne Hotel | Hythe | From £37 plus admission | A really memorable day out |
Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel, Maidstone
Best for an affordable afternoon tea
I would say that the Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel offers one of the most affordable traditional afternoon teas in Kent. Located near Leeds Castle in Hollingbourne, it’s an easy drive from Maidstone, Ashford and the surrounding villages.
It offers quite a traditional afternoon tea, including finger sandwiches, scones with cream and strawberry jam, cakes and a choice of tea or freshly brewed coffee.
The current options include:
- Traditional afternoon tea from £18.95 per person
- Afternoon tea with Prosecco from £23.95
- Afternoon tea with Champagne from £26.95
- Bottomless Prosecco afternoon tea for two
I would say it may not offer quite the same level of wow-factor as a smaller country-house hotel, but it is very good value. When I visited, the food and service were excellent. It would suit a relaxed catch-up, birthday treat or anyone looking for afternoon tea in Kent without spending £40 or more per person.
Location: Hollingbourne, near Maidstone
Price: From £18.95 per person
Booking: Advance booking is advisable
Hempstead House Hotel, Sittingbourne
Best traditional afternoon tea for value
Hempstead House is a country-house hotel and spa in Bapchild, near Sittingbourne. I have visited for afternoon tea and found it to be a relaxed but also a very lovely afternoon tea.
You’ll find the afternoon tea is served in the Lakes Restaurant beneath an impressive chandelier. When we visited, the table was laid with crisp white linen, and the staff were very attentive about keeping us supplied with hot drinks, which is always important at an afternoon tea!
Alongside the traditional selection, Hempstead House has previously offered a savoury afternoon tea. Ours included sandwiches, a cheese scone, a Scotch egg, sausage rolls and cheese twists, followed by a smaller selection of cakes. It was perfect for someone who prefers savoury food to lots of sweet treats.
Current prices are:
- £23.50 per person Monday to Friday
- £26.50 per person at weekends
- Sparkling afternoon tea from £33.50
A deposit is required, and dietary requirements should be provided when booking. Hempstead House also runs occasional themed afternoon teas with music and children’s entertainment.
Location: Bapchild, near Sittingbourne
Price: From £23.50 per person
Best for: Value, traditional surroundings and themed events
Castle View Afternoon Tea at Leeds Castle
Best afternoon tea with a castle view
It is difficult to imagine a more recognisably Kentish setting than Leeds Castle. Its Castle View Restaurant looks across the moat towards the castle, giving you a wonderfully scenic backdrop while you enjoy your tea. Although I’ve not had the afternoon tea there, we have dined at Leeds Castle and visit the grounds regularly. It’s always a treat.
The traditional afternoon tea includes finger sandwiches, handmade sweet treats and scones served with Kentish jam and clotted cream.
Afternoon tea is currently available Monday to Saturday and costs £28 per person. That is a fairly reasonable price considering the location.
One important thing to establish when booking is whether castle admission is required or included. If you are planning to visit the castle and grounds as well, factor admission into the overall cost of the day.
Leeds Castle is an especially good option for a birthday, Mother’s Day treat or afternoon tea combined with a Kent day out.
Location: Leeds, near Maidstone
Price: £28 per person
Best for: Castle views and special occasions
Mount Ephraim Gardens, Near Faversham
Best afternoon tea in a Kent garden
Mount Ephraim is a beautiful privately owned house and garden near Faversham. If you’ve not been, I urge you to visit. Whether that’s just for a walk or whether you have an afternoon tea as well. Its tearoom has indoor seating and an outdoor terrace overlooking the lovely gardens. We recently had afternoon tea there with our extended family, and it was truly wonderful.
Afternoon tea is available during the 2026 garden season, after Easter, from Thursday to Sunday between 12pm and 3pm. It costs £30 per person, which includes entry to the gardens.
The inclusion of garden entry makes Mount Ephraim particularly good value if you want more than the afternoon tea itself. You can enjoy a walk through the gardens before tucking into your delicious sandwiches, cakes and scones.
Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free and children’s menus are available when requested in advance. Booking is required at least 48 hours before your visit.
As this is a seasonal experience, check the garden opening dates carefully before travelling. It’s lovely when the sun is shining and you can explore the grounds.
Location: Hernhill, near Faversham
Price: £30 including garden entry
Best for: Summer visits, garden lovers and dietary choices
The BarnYard, Upchurch
Best for a savoury high tea
The BarnYard is a countryside wedding venue and daytime restaurant near Sittingbourne. Its restaurant, The Rooster and The Roost, serves high tea from Wednesday to Sunday.
The menu goes beyond the usual finger sandwiches and cakes. Depending on the current selection, you may receive treats such as sausage Wellington, cheese and rosemary bakes, freshly made sandwiches, warm scones and handmade cakes.
A special high tea with a cocktail or gin option is advertised at approximately £30.95 per person. Vegetarian and vegan versions are also available.
This is a good choice if you want a generous afternoon tea with plenty of savoury food. The countryside surroundings and rustic restaurant also make it feel a little different from a conventional hotel lounge.
The restaurant is dog-friendly in designated areas, but confirm where dogs can sit when making an afternoon-tea reservation.
Location: Upchurch, near Sittingbourne
Price: Around £30.95 per person
Best for: Savoury treats, cocktails and countryside surroundings
Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham
Best traditional country-house afternoon tea
Chilston Park is an elegant country-house hotel near Lenham, surrounded by Kent countryside. We took my sister there for afternoon tea shortly before my niece was born.
Afternoon tea is normally served in the Marble Lounge, with loose-leaf teas, finger sandwiches, warm scones, cakes and patisserie. Traditional, Champagne and children’s afternoon teas are available, so there’s an option to suit all tastes and budgets.
The house and grounds make Chilston Park feel special before you have even sat down. Unfortunately, the weather has been rainy or overcast every time I have visited, so I am yet to actually see the grounds at their sunny best. It sounds like a good excuse to go again!
Prices and menus can change, so check the current afternoon-tea menu directly before booking.
Location: Sandway, near Lenham
Price: Check the current menu when booking
Best for: Baby showers, birthdays and a traditional country-house experience
Eastwell Manor, Ashford
Best luxury afternoon tea near Ashford
Eastwell Manor holds particularly lovely memories for me because this is where I had my baby shower.
Part of Champneys, Eastwell Manor is an impressive historic hotel and spa set in countryside near Ashford. Afternoon tea may be served in the Manor House restaurant, lounge or outside on the terrace when the weather allows.
The classic afternoon tea includes finger sandwiches, warm scones, cakes and a selection of teas and I can tell you it is very delicious and quite opulent. Champagne upgrades are also available.
Prices start at around £36 to £39 per person, depending on the booking option. Pre-booking is essential, so confirm the precise price when making your reservation.
Eastwell Manor is not the cheapest option on this list, but it works beautifully for an occasion that deserves a more luxurious setting. You can read about my full Eastwell Manor afternoon tea experience.
Location: Boughton Lees, near Ashford
Price: Approximately £36–£39 per person
Best for: Baby showers, celebrations and luxury surroundings
Rowhill Grange Hotel and Utopia Spa, Wilmington
Best afternoon tea for a spa occasion
Rowhill Grange is a luxury hotel and spa near Dartford. I have not personally had afternoon tea there yet, but it is regularly recommended to me and remains on my list.
Afternoon tea is served daily between 12pm and 5pm in one of the lounges, the restaurant or on the terrace during warmer weather.
Current prices are:
- Traditional afternoon tea: £38 per person
- Children’s afternoon tea: £18
- Champagne afternoon tea: £49.50
- Bombay Sapphire Gin afternoon tea: approximately £50
Vegan and children’s menus are available, and the hotel asks guests to provide information about allergies or dietary requirements in advance.
Rowhill Grange is particularly suitable if you want to combine afternoon tea with a spa treatment or make it part of a more indulgent day.
Location: Wilmington, near Dartford
Price: From £38 per person
Best for: Spa days and luxury celebrations
Oad Street Food and Crafts, Borden
Best unusual afternoon tea in Kent
Oad Street Food and Crafts is located near Sittingbourne and is known for its gift shop, restaurant and seasonal dining pods.
The pods have previously appeared as cosy winter igloos before being transformed into floral summer pods. They provide a more private and photogenic setting than a conventional restaurant table.
Afternoon tea includes a mixture of sandwiches, savouries, scones and homemade cakes with tea or coffee. Food must be selected in advance, and dietary requirements need to be supplied before your booking.
Its children’s option, sometimes called a Teddy Bear’s Picnic, makes Oad Street one of the more interesting places for a children’s afternoon tea in Kent.
Current summer pod afternoon boards start at around £38 per adult at weekends. The restaurant afternoon-tea price may differ, so check the relevant booking option carefully. The website states that a normal restaurant afternoon-tea reservation is not automatically a pod booking. We’ve had a pod on a couple of occassions and it makes for a really special afternoon tea in Kent. One to treasure and enjoy.
Location: Borden, near Sittingbourne
Price: Pod experiences from approximately £38
Best for: Unusual surroundings, photographs and children
Port Lympne Hotel and Reserve, Hythe
Most unusual afternoon tea experience
Port Lympne offers afternoon tea in the historic mansion at the heart of its wildlife reserve. Depending on the season and weather, tea may be served in the Garden Room or on the Western Terrace.
The location has a fascinating history, with former visitors to the mansion including Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin. The landscaped gardens and distinctive interiors make this one of the most memorable afternoon-tea settings in Kent.
Classic afternoon tea starts at approximately £37 per person. However, a valid reserve admission ticket, annual pass or short-break booking is also required. This makes it more expensive overall than most of the other options in this guide.
It is best treated as part of a complete day at Port Lympne rather than somewhere to visit solely for tea. I visited with my daughter and a group of friends and it was a wonderful afternoon – a really special afternoon tea in Kent that I’ll treasure the memory of.
Location: Lympne, near Hythe
Price: From £37, plus the required reserve admission
Best for: An unusual experience and a full day out
Best Afternoon Tea in Kent for Children
For a child-friendly afternoon tea, my shortlist would be:
- Oad Street Food and Crafts for its Teddy Bear’s Picnic and seasonal pods
- Mount Ephraim Gardens for its children’s menu and space to explore the gardens
- Rowhill Grange for a dedicated children’s afternoon tea
- Chilston Park for a traditional children’s option
- Hempstead House for themed family events
- Leeds Castle for combining tea with a full family day out
Always check the minimum age, children’s price and menu before booking. Some hotels welcome children but do not automatically provide a smaller or more child-friendly version of the adult tea.
Unusual Places for Afternoon Tea in Kent
If you want something more memorable than a standard hotel lounge, consider:
- A seasonal dining pod at Oad Street
- Afternoon tea overlooking Leeds Castle
- Tea inside the historic mansion at Port Lympne
- A cocktail high tea at The BarnYard
- Afternoon tea with entry to Mount Ephraim Gardens
- A themed musical afternoon tea at Hempstead House
Seasonal events can change throughout the year, so it is worth checking around Mother’s Day, Easter, Halloween and Christmas for limited-edition menus.
Vegan and Gluten-Free Afternoon Tea in Kent
Many Kent venues can provide vegetarian, vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free afternoon tea, but you will normally need to request it in advance. My son is allergic to dairy, so we know first hand that most places can and will accomodate dierary requirements – as long as you let them know in advance.
Mount Ephraim specifically advertises vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free menus and we had such a good experience when we had afternoon tea there. Rowhill Grange, Hempstead House and The BarnYard also offer alternatives for different dietary requirements.
If you have an allergy rather than a dietary preference, speak directly to the venue before booking. Cross-contamination procedures differ, and an online menu cannot guarantee that a venue will be suitable for every allergy.
Former Kent Afternoon-Tea Venues to Check Carefully
Some older Kent guides still recommend venues that have since changed how they operate.
The Secret Garden near Ashford was previously one of my favourite places for afternoon tea. I visited numerous times and loved its pretty interiors, chintzy crockery and generous selection of food. However, its current website now concentrates on weddings and events and does not clearly advertise a regular public afternoon-tea service. You can read my Secret Garden Kent review, but contact the venue before making a special journey.
The Ferry House at Harty previously served public afternoon tea, but it has become part of The Harty Estate and now operates mainly as an exclusive wedding and events venue. It opens to the public only for selected pop-up dining dates.
Including these updates is important because availability can change considerably, even when older reviews still appear in Google.
How to Choose Your Kent Afternoon Tea
Before booking, consider:
- Whether you want a casual tea or a special-occasion venue
- The total price, including admission or service charges
- Whether unlimited tea and coffee are included
- Children’s menus and minimum ages
- Vegan, dairy-free or gluten-free requirements
- Parking and accessibility
- Seasonal opening dates
- Whether a pod or terrace is guaranteed
- How far in advance you need to book
For the best value, I would start with somewhere like Hempstead House. For beautiful surroundings, consider Leeds Castle, Mount Ephraim or Chilston Park. For a luxurious celebration, Eastwell Manor or Rowhill Grange would be difficult to beat. They are both very impressive!
More Things to Do in Kent
Afternoon tea can easily become part of a longer day exploring the county. My guide to the best things to do in Kent contains plenty of inspiration, while these Kent date ideas are useful if you are arranging something for two.
You might also enjoy my guides to wineries in Kent and Kent indoor activities.
If you are considering a lifestyle change alongside exploring the Kent coast, you can also browse opportunities to work part-time in Dover.
Afternoon Tea in Kent
Kent has an impressive choice of afternoon teas, whether you want a reasonably priced catch-up, an extravagant celebration or something unusual enough to make the afternoon feel really memorable.
Hempstead House is a particularly good all-rounder for value and traditional surroundings, while Leeds Castle and Mount Ephraim turn afternoon tea into a lovely day out. Eastwell Manor will always be special to me because of my baby shower, and Oad Street is one of the most interesting choices for families – their pods really are something special.
Whichever venue you choose, confirm the latest menu, price and dietary arrangements before travelling. Then all that remains is the most controversial afternoon-tea question of all: jam or cream first?