Our favourite places for a decadent afternoon tea in Kent

Kent is the garden of England – then where better to pass a relaxing hour or two enjoying an afternoon tea? This most English of pastimes is a wonderful way to round off a day of sightseeing. Here we pick our favourite places to take afternoon tea in Kent.

A perfect antidote for a rainy day camping?

The Secret Gardens of Sandwich

The Secret Gardens of Sandwich are famous not only for their fabulous gardens but also for their excellent Tea Room. Combining the two will make for a perfect afternoon.

The charming Tea Room serves up some fantastic light meals including sandwiches, cooked lunches, homemade cakes and a very good selection of teas to choose from. Don’t miss out on the special chocolate cream tea served with two chocolate chip scones, chocolate brioche and a number of finger sandwiches - ideal for sharing! You can also enjoy your afternoon tea on the terrace on warm days.

Prices here are very reasonable and with friendly staff and excellent service, this tea room is a must visit. There is a car park at the site and entry to the gardens is free from December to February and £6.50 from March to November.

Tiny Tim’s Tearoom

Located in the heart of the historic cathedral city of Canterbury you can find the excellent Tiny Tim’s Tearoom. Afternoon tea here comes with a good selection of finger sandwiches, pastries and scones with generous pots of jam and cream starting from £16.50 per person. There’s also an afternoon tea menu for children at around £7.50 per child.

This is a wonderful place to relax with a newspaper in the chandelier lit rooms while listening to music from the 40’s and 50’s. On sunny days you can sit in the lovely courtyard outside where dogs are also welcome. Tiny Tim’s has won awards in excellence for its quality of food and service and therefore gets very busy so it is worth making a reservation if you plan on a visit.

And to add an unusual twist, what makes this tearoom different is its haunted Ghost Room! Many visitors and members of staff have reported seeing apparitions in this room and even heard the whisperings and singing of young children.

Goodnestone Park Gardens

The tearoom at Goodnestone Park Gardens is a great little place to stop in at, especially after visiting the stunning gardens. The peaceful, romantic gardens have connections to author Jane Austen and have been described as one of the loveliest gardens in Kent.

Enjoy the tranquillity as you sip a delicious tea and enjoy homemade cakes, cream scones and jam. There are some excellent light lunches available too, including homemade soups and warm breads all at good prices. The gardens and tea room is about 20 minutes from Canterbury city centre. 

Chilston Park Hotel

The very fine Chilston Park Hotel is located in Lenham and makes a wonderful setting for enjoying a decadent afternoon tea.

The hotel has played host to a number of politicians, writers and Lords and is set in 22 acres of stunning parkland. You can enjoy a traditional afternoon tea menu in the immaculate Marble Lounge at £17.50 per person which includes a selection of finger sandwiches, scones with homemade jams and clotted cream, pastries and a choice of fresh leaf teas or fruit teas.

For something a little different opt for the savoury menu instead where you can indulge in savoury pastries and small pies as well as savoury petit fours. To make the experience extra special you should add a glass of champagne!

Enjoy a delightful treat in Kent

Other honourable mentions for tearooms in Kent include the Sandhurst Tearoom in Cranbrook where you can choose from a vast range of puddings including fruit pies and crumbles, giant meringues, syrup sponge pudding and other sweet classics. Also, don’t miss the Orangery Tearooms at Whitstable Castle and Gardens where you can relax after a taking tour around the historic castle. There really is nothing more decadently English than an enjoyable afternoon tea, and Kent is full of brilliant places to indulge you taste buds.