8 Best Afternoon Teas in Bournemouth

Bournemouth is known as a traditional British seaside town that appeals to visitors of all ages - miles of golden sand, lovely gardens and parks, and first-class attractions.

What could be more appealing than a delicious afternoon tea in Bournemouth?

We've found some of the best places to enjoy your afternoon treat - ranging from a cozy vintage-style cafe to the unique atmosphere of traditional afternoon tea at the Museum!

Most need to be booked 24 hours in advance, so it’s worth checking once you’ve chosen a venue from our list.

Steam Vintage Tea Rooms

Steam is a great old-fashioned tea room right in the heart of Bournemouth, inspired by the music and style of 40’s and 50’s jazz and rock and roll eras.

Its shabby chic style will take you back in time to an age of afternoon tea served on vintage china and proper tablecloths, with nostalgic classics like Glen Miller, Chuck Berry and Doris Day playing in the background.

Afternoon Tea for Two at Steam is £15.95 per person and includes a selection of sandwiches, two cakes, strawberries, savoury pastry, freshly-baked scones and unlimited pots of tea and coffee.

You can also buy a special occasion afternoon tea box (for delivery or collection) with the same delicious ingredients if you want to celebrate at home!

https://www.bournemouthtearooms.com/

Hotel Collingwood

Hotel Collingwood is close to the Bournemouth seafront, so if you want a rest from the chaos and hub-bub of the beach, you can relax in the elegant surroundings of the Collingwood’s tea lounge.

There are three different afternoon tea options available at Hotel Collingwood (all with unlimited tea and coffee):

• Everyday Afternoon Tea (£17.50 or £32 for two) which includes an assortment of finger sandwiches, warm scones (with clotted cream and strawberry preserve) and a selection of delicate mini cakes and treats.
• Gold Afternoon Tea (£21.50 or £40 for two) which also includes prosecco or mocktail, and extra sandwich treats.
• Vegan Afternoon Tea (£17.50 per person) which is an all-vegan version of the Everyday option.

https://www.hotelcollingwood.co.uk/dining/afternoon-tea

Cakey Love

This is a special afternoon tea delivery service, for the times that you don’t want to leave the house (or your Bournemouth area holiday accommodation) to enjoy your afternoon treat.

It’s easy to order on the Cakey Love website - there’s even an explanatory video to show you how to do it. Just customise your order, choose your delivery time (Tues - Sunday 11am - 4pm) and pay online.

Cakey Love have lots of different options for you to choose from - afternoon teas, kids’ afternoon tea, cream teas, vegan selections, and a choice of treat boxes, with cookies or brownies.

The Afternoon Tea Box has four finger sandwiches, a scone with homemade strawberry jam and Dorset clotted cream, a double-chocolate chip brownie, an Earl Grey tea shortbread sandwich with buttercream and lemon curd, and a special cake of the month. Each box comes with a supply of Dorset Tea Golden Blend.

An Afternoon Tea Box for one starts at £18.50, and you can add extra food and drinks to this (or choose the Family Box) when you place your order, to cater for larger groups.

https://www.cakeylove.com/

Tuckton Tea Gardens

If you fancy a fascinating afternoon by the water, book an afternoon tea at Tuckton Tea Gardens.

It’s run by the people at Bournemouth Boat Services, who can arrange all sorts of boaty things for you like hiring your own boat (on the River Stour), or taking a ferry ride to the beach at Mudeford. There’s even a putting green and crazy golf to keep the kids entertained.

Afternoon Tea at the Tuckton Tea Gardens includes a choice of sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam, macaroons, chocolate brownies, and other homemade cakes baked by the chef on the day.

Also including tea or coffee, it costs £18 per head.

https://bournemouthboating.co.uk/tuckton-tea-gardens/

Compton Acres Tea Rooms

If you’re visiting the 10 acres of gorgeous gardens at Compton Acres, you’ll need a rest during the afternoon, so you can treat yourself to a delicious afternoon tea in the Cafe and Tea Rooms.

You can eat in or the staff will box it up for you to take away. (Don’t forget to book 24 hours in advance).

If the weather is nice you can sit outside in the beautiful courtyard.

The Compton Acres Afternoon Tea includes a selection of finger sandwiches on brown and white bread, scones with cream and jam, and a selection of pastries and desserts.

Afternoon tea for one at Compton Acres starts at £16.95.

https://www.comptonacres.co.uk/eat/cafe-tea-rooms/

Dot Teas Vintage Tea Boutique

Dot Teas is a lovely vintage tea room in the coastal village of Westbourne, just outside Bournemouth.

There is a good mix of eclectic shops in the village, including the Westbourne Arcade, so it’s well worth a shopping trip to Westbourne followed by luxury afternoon tea at Dot Teas.

Dot Tea’s Luxury Afternoon Tea is served on pretty china, and includes 4 sandwiches, a freshly baked warm scone with clotted cream and jam and 4 sweet treats. The delicious cakes and sandwiches are all hand-made, using locally-sourced ingredients.

Luxury Afternoon Tea at Dot Teas costs £16.50 per person, and if you're celebrating something special you can add a small bottle of prosecco for £5 or a full size bottle for £15.

https://www.dotteas.net/

Afternoon Tea at the Russell-Cotes Museum

Who can resist traditional afternoon tea surrounded by fascinating museum exhibits? Or tea on the terrace with great views of the garden and sea?

The Russell-Cotes Museum Cafe is open from Tuesdays to Sundays (and Bank Holiday Mondays) for splendid afternoon teas. For £30 you and a friend can enjoy tea for two surrounded by the art in the cafe gallery (or you can sit on the terrace if the weather is co-operating).

You’ll love the handmade sandwiches, freshly baked scones, and delicious mini-cakes, all served with tea of course. If you’re in the mood for celebrating, you can add bubbly - afternoon tea with bubbly is £40 for two.

https://russellcotes.com/cafe/

Norfolk Royale Hotel

Afternoon Tea at the Norfolk Royale Hotel can be as grand or as relaxed as you like. You could have champagne afternoon tea on the art deco verandah, or (weather permitting), with tea or coffee, in the private garden. You can also choose the cozy lounge as the place for your afternoon treat.

All of the Norfolk Royale Afternoon Tea Menus include delicious handmade finger sandwiches, warmed scones with Dorset clotted cream and jam, cakes and pastries, with your choice of teas or coffee.

Prices are £14.50 per person for Afternoon Tea, £19.50 for Prosecco Afternoon Tea, and £23.50 for Champagne Afternoon Tea.

Afternoon Tea is served every day from 2-5pm and needs to be booked in advance.

http://thenorfolkhotel.co.uk/en/food_and_drink/view/afternoon_tea_bournemouth

We hope you’ve enjoyed this journey around the afternoon teas of Bournemouth, and found at least one venue in which to enjoy your afternoon treat!