We are huge fans of Chloe’s blog New Girl In Toon and are constantly drooling over all the gorgeous places she has been for Afternoon Tea. We wanted some suggestions for the best afternoon teas in Newcastle, and Chloe seemed like the right girl to tell us all about it! We’re so happy to introduce her first guest blog post for scobberlotch and also her top 5 afternoon teas in the city.
Trying to pick the Top Five Afternoon Teas in Newcastle is difficult because there are so many fantastic ones to choose from, we are very spoilt for choice. Here are five of my favourites:
5 – Hotel Indigo
Afternoon Tea is served in the Grainger Lounge and I recommend that you ask to sit in one of the plush purple sofas, they are really comfortable and positioned by the window which is ideal for people watching.
The tea is a great size with lots of food on each tier. One of the best things about this tea is you don’t just get sandwiches but also mini quiches which is a bit of novelty. Each person gets a plain and fruit scone with a pot of jam and cream. The cakes are a lovely miniature size although they can be a little heavy on the fruit I do love how the red strawberries make the cake stand look so colourful and they really are delicious.
The tea is very reasonably priced at £15.95 per person and I recommend having a look through the cocktail menu too. I have been known to order myself a cocktail with my tea as it completes a perfect lazy afternoon.
(NB: they also serve gluten-free afternoon tea here!)
High Tea at the Great British Cupcakery is definitely a tea that you need to book in advance, the cupcake parlour opened on the Quayside a year ago and is hugely popular.
If you haven’t pre-booked your afternoon tea you probably aren’t going to get in.The afternoon tea is best approached with a hungry tummy, it’s almost defeated me twice.
I love the Geordie twist on the sandwich tier with the addition of ham and pease pudding (try explaining that to your southern friends!) This tea comes with a monster scone each, which arrives ready made with a huge amount of jam and cream stuffed inside. The cakes on the stand come in massive slabs.
Out of all the afternoon teas I’ve tried in the region it has the most generous portion of cakes and is not for the easily defeated.
3 – Garden Kitchen
Garden Kitchen is one of my favourite places in Newcastle, its location hidden away in Eldon Garden makes it a tranquil escape from a busy day shopping.
The Garden Picnic is served on a little wooden picnic bench and is an amazing spread of food that has to be seen to be believed. The bench is covered in sandwiches and cakes.
I wouldn’t usually have anything other than tea but I highly recommend ordering lemonade with your tea, you get a huge jug of freshly made traditional lemonade which is so refreshing.
The Garden Picnic is easily the best value afternoon tea in the city at just £19.95 for two people.
If you like your afternoon tea with an amazing view then Six is the place to go. Situated at the top of the Baltic you can munch on your cakes whilst looking out of the floor to ceiling windows at the views across the Quayside.
The scones at Six are one of my favourite parts as they often have different flavours. I really loved the apricot scone on my last visit. The cakes are also really indulgent with lots of rich chocolate and even mini donuts. If you have enough room after make sure you order a vanilla latte, it’s my favourite coffee in town.
The tea costs £14.95 per person.
Jesmond Dene House is my favourite afternoon tea in the area, it’s also my most visited, I fell in love on my first visit and now I can’t get enough.
One of my favourite things about Jesmond Dene House is choosing where to have afternoon tea, there are a few rooms to pick from. I like to sit by the fire in the Cocktail Bar in Winter and then either the Garden Room or outside on the patio in the Summer.
The sandwiches have amazing combinations of fillings and the scones are generous with an offering of plain, fruit and cheese. The cake menu changes every few months but always offers a wonderful variety of fruity and chocolaty treats, look out for the macaroons, they are out of this world.
It’s one of the more expensive teas in the area at £19.50 per person but really is worth every penny – the food is delicious, the staff are attentive and the hotel feels beautifully exclusive yet friendly and comfortable
(NB: they can also cater for specific dietary needs, including gluten-free!)
scobberlotch 
Brilliant selection – totally agree! We are spoilt for choice
Thanks for your comment Chloe!
So many Afternoon Tea choices, so little time! They all look fab, must check out JDH! I popped down to How Do You Do in Whitley Bay on Saturday for AT, it was yummy and reasonably priced too! Well done on your Guest post Chloe! x
Hi Cate, thanks for your recommendation! There are so many afternoon teas I need to try!
This post makes me want to get on a train and head to Newcastle. Chloe thanks for sharing your favouirte afternoonteas. They all look delicious. Jesmond cakes look amazing yummmmmmmmmmmy Lucy x
Do it! I’m sure you wouldn’t be disappointed!
Love all of these – Great British Cupcakery has a place in our heart!
I’ve never been, but after Chloe’s wonderful guest post it has gone to the top of my list! Thanks for your comment!
You definitely couldn’t have chosen a better person to guest post about said topic! :p
Although they all look yummy and I’d never deny you taking me to any of the above.. but Jesmond Dene House set looks.. devine. yum yum!
Caroline.x
I know! I’ve been reading all of Chloe’s afternoon tea posts with envy and a rumbling belly! I’m so happy she could write a guest post for scobberlotch! Thanks for your comment!
This has helped narrow the search for my friends 40th get together down a bit. Only thing now is deciding which one!
Lovely selection, have you tried The Vermont Hotel? http://www.vermont-hotel.com/restaurants-and-bars/afternoon-tea
Chloe,
I challenge you to a ‘Gentleman’s’ afternoon tea at the Vermont Hotel: pint of real ale; ‘mini’ burger with smoked bacon, cheese, salad, onion ring, gherkin & chips; warm pork pie with mustard relish; 1/2 scotch egg; 3 cheeses with pickle; selection of mini cakes and tea or coffee – £17.95!
Great value, fabulous setting and attentive staff – what more could one ask for? Concierge will even park your car if they are not too busy!!
Baxter-of-the-Yard, Durham.
There is also Olive and Bean within the city centre – near one of the exits of Grainger Market – they do three variations of afternoon tea for two:
– Regular Afternoon Tea (£16.95); a selection of our classic finger sandwiches, homemade fruit scones with clotted cream & jam and todays range of homemade, bitesize cakes. Served with either endless Teapigs tea or Union coffee.
– Luxury Afternoon Tea (£22.95); luxury granary bloomer sandwiches and olives, homemade fruit scones with clotted cream & jam, and finally a selection of todays homemade cakes, served bitesize with a fresh berry salad. All washed down with endless Teapigs tea or Union coffee.
– Even More Luxury Afternoon Tea (£28.95); all the goodies from our Luxury Afternoon Tea but served with a glass of chilled Prosecco each as well.
It’s quite expensive for the “champagne” tea but the cakes and sandwiches are extremely high quality