Summer Lodge
www.summerlodgehotel.co.uk/
food-and-drink/afternoon-tea
01935 48 2000
9 Fore Street, Evershot, Dorset,
DT2 0JR
Managed by Relais & Chateaux,
Summer Lodge was voted No. 1
hotel in the UK by Conde Nast
Traveller in 2016. That could be on
account of the exemplary service,
Grade II listed Georgian building,
or the four acres of mature
gardens surrounded by unspoiled
countryside. Where else can you
take tea in a drawing room whose
plans were drafted by Dorset’s
own Thomas Hardy, an architect
by trade? On top of delicate
scones and cakes, you can also
enjoy meringues and tartlets from
the house patisserie.
Best For: You’ll find yourself in
one of The Sunday Times’ Top 200
Restaurants in Britain.
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Hotel Du Vin
www.hotelduvin.com/locations/
poole/
01305 819027
The Quay, Thames Street, Poole,
BH15 1JN
Even though the Hotel du Vin
is a chain, you still know you’re
in historic Poole thanks to the
location next to Quayside. Built
in 1776 as the Mansion House,
the Hotel du Vin’s stone courtyard
offers respite from the town with
a simple Cream Tea for £8.50 or
Traditional Afternoon Tea with
sandwiches, tea breads, and
cakes for £16.50. Heck, there’s
even a Champagne Afternoon tea
with a glass of bubbly for £22.50.
Otherwise, this is Twinings territory,
a lovely spot for a restorative
cuppa in between exploring the
harbour.
Langtry Manor
www.langtrymanor.co.uk
01202 553 887
Derby Road, East Cliff,
Bournemouth, Dorset, BH1 3QB
King Edward VII built the Langtry
Manor in 1877 for his mistress
Lillie Langtry. Today’s incarnation
retains the eye for all things
elegant for which the King was (in)
famous. Head over to staid East
Cliff and relax in the plush drawing
room or on the terrace for scones,
sandwiches and the option of a
Prince of Wales cocktail. On winter
weekends, tea is served in the
dining salon with live music.
Best For: Take a peak upstairs
at the Langtry Collection, a tiny
museum celebrating the life of the
woman who seduced a Prince.
Best For: A refreshing cuppa on
the outside terrace beneath the
shade of ample awnings.
www.menu-dorset.co.uk