Take an Afternoon Tea Tour
A traditional Afternoon Tea is still a treat which brings a smile to everyone’s face. The summer months are the ideal time to explore further from your doorstep and discover some of the hidden gems of tea rooms and tea houses which are located across the county. The cakes and savoury goodies served are often home-made on the premises, using the finest Lincolnshire produce. Here we have a choice of some of the best in the county and don’t forget, nominations are open for the Lincolnshire Life ‘Taste of Excellence’ Food, Drink and Hospitality Awards 2024. If you visit one of these venues and would like to put them forward for our Best Tea or Coffee Shop of the Year, you can vote using our paper form or online at www.lincolnshirelife.co.uk
TEMPTING FLAVOURS AT BLYTON ICE CREAM
Perfect for afternoon teas with a difference, Blyton Ice Cream offers a range of scrumptious sweet and savoury dishes to delight and satisfy your taste buds throughout the day.
Famous for its award-winning selection of more than 75 deliciously different ice creams to choose from, this family run parlour prides itself on offering a range of unique and favourite flavours which are all home-made at Blyton’s Old Hall Farm.
Launched in 1985, Blyton Ice Cream is open seven days a week serving breakfast, lunch, light bites and dinner with a range of mouth-watering desserts, including waffles, crêpes and traditional sundaes, with daily specials and different flavours and toppings each day.
Visitors can relax in Blyton’s welcoming café, enjoying daily chef specials, or take time out in the attractive spacious outdoor seating area where milkshakes, plus hot and cold drinks are served, with takeaways also available.
Party bookings are available and there is an outdoor play area and crazy golf for families to enjoy.
For more information visit www.blytonicecream.co.uk
A TOUCH OF STYLE AT DANDELION AND DUCK
Situated in a beautiful barn conversion in Laughton, Gainsborough, Dandelion and Duck is a charming coffee shop founded through owner Alice Philips’s passion for home interiors and a love for style.
An ideal place to enjoy breakfast, lunch, brunch, coffee or afternoon tea, Dandelion and Duck, which is also licensed, welcomes you with cosy seating in its peaceful rustic interior, as well as outside in the sunny garden terrace with a play area garden for children, complete with shepherd’s hut.
Treat yourself to delicious award-winning coffee from Dark Woods Coffee, hand-roasted in Yorkshire, plus a large selection of cakes and sweet treats such as cinnamon buns, scones and tiffin as well as blondies and brownies, also available for customers to take away.
“We pride ourselves on using the finest ingredients and aim to source the freshest produce from local suppliers. And when it comes to our menu, we create delicious seasonal delights that we hope you love as much as we do!”
Open Wednesday to Saturday, 9am-4pm, Sunday 10am-2pm.
For more information visit www.dandelionandduck.co.uk
DODDINGTON’S AWARD-WINNING TEA ROOM UNVEILS NEW TEA BLEND
Doddington Tea Room, situated in the award-winning Coach House wedding venue and set under the gaze of the Elizabethan Hall, is a sip above the rest with their new bespoke tea blend, created in collaboration with The Lincoln Tea & Coffee Company.
Inspired by the beautiful gardens of Doddington Hall, the unique Afternoon Tea Blend has been meticulously crafted using the finest African and Assam black teas. This exquisite blend is perfectly balanced with delicate floral notes and a hint of citrus, creating a truly exceptional tea experience that captures the essence of a relaxing afternoon at Doddington.
Doddington’s exclusive Afternoon Tea Blend is the perfect accompaniment to their delicious selection of sandwiches and savouries, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and jam, and an array of famous Doddington cakes and sweet treats.
For those who want to sip something a little different, the Tea Room also offers a wide variety of fruit teas, herbal teas and freshly brewed coffee, with the option to upgrade your afternoon tea to include a glass of fizz or bottle of ale, lager or cider, specifically chosen to perfectly complement this quintessential English tradition.
In addition to their traditional afternoon tea, Doddington Tea Room also offers a savoury inspired afternoon tea and vegetarian, vegan and gluten free afternoon tea choices too. For younger customers, the children’s afternoon tea will tempt with a choice of sandwiches, crisps, crudités and a variety of sweet treats.
Book Your Table
Visit the award-winning Doddington Tea Room to indulge and experience the best of the afternoon tea tradition. Doddington Tea Room is open on selected dates and booking is essential. To find out more and reserve your table, visit www.doddingtonhall.com. If you’re planning a celebration, the Coach House offers private and semi-private options, please get in touch on 01522 812508.
TEATIME TREATS AT THE KINGS HEAD
Take a break and treat yourself and loved ones to a special Luxury Afternoon Tea at the renowned Kings Head Hotel in Louth’s Mercer Row.
This former coaching inn which dates from the 18th century offers a warm welcome providing the perfect opportunity to kick back and relax while sampling a delicious choice of traditional sandwiches, pastries and cakes, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.
Spoil yourself with the special Luxury Afternoon Tea (£18.50) which also includes a glass of sparkling Prosecco.
If you’re planning to take a staycation in the market town, the hotel also offers breakfast, lunch, dinner and light snacks in its popular bistro and bar, as well as overnight accommodation featuring seven bedrooms with en suites, plus a three bedroom apartment.
Afternoon Tea is served seven days a week, from 12 noon until 4.30pm. Bookings only.
For more information contact tel: 01507 602965 or visit www.kingsheadlouth.co.uk
TAKE A BREAK WITH A RIVER VIEW
Located at Torksey Lock with picturesque views of the Fossdyke Canal, the Torksey Lock Coffee House is a welcoming independent coffee shop now under the management of new owners, husband and wife team Jody and Amanda Bett. Between them they have 40 years’ experience in the business and did the renovation themselves.
The shop sells local produce, 200 Degrees Coffee from Nottinghamshire roasters, Dennetts Ice Cream from Spilsby, plus bread from local bakeries and much more. Here you can watch boats sailing by while enjoying a quality selection of drinks, light lunches, snacks and sweet treats, with all dietary needs catered for, including vegan, vegetarian and gluten free options.
Set in a beautiful peaceful location, this family-friendly coffee shop offers outdoor seating and also welcomes dogs, making it the perfect place to switch off, relax and take in the views while sampling its delicious menu.
Open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 4pm.
RELAX AND REVIVE AT THE NEW CHAPEL
Set in a stunning Victorian chapel, which has been beautifully restored, The New Chapel is a luxury venue and restaurant offering a unique five-star experience for all occasions.
Surrounded by an impressive Grade II park and conservation area near Sleaford, The New Chapel is the perfect place to relax and revive while enjoying fantastic food and unrivalled first-class service in spectacular surroundings.
Owned and lovingly restored over 10 years by interior architectural designer Frida Rush, this characterful hidden gem is a perfect blend of history and heritage with a modern twist.
The perfect venue for a special celebration, guests can also enjoy casual all day dining in the light and airy restaurant, which offers mouth-watering breakfasts, light bites, lunches and dinners, as well as fabulous afternoon teas and traditional Sunday lunches.
Open Monday to Thursday from 10am to 10pm, Friday and Saturday 10am to 11pm and Sunday 10am to 8pm.
For more information visit www.thenewchapel.com
A MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AT THE PETWOOD
If you’re looking for a special afternoon tea in a unique historical setting, The Petwood Hotel in Woodhall Spa is the place to go.
Savour a memorable experience with a choice of classic English afternoon teas, with the extra option of adding a glass of specially selected Champagne, Prosecco or gin, featuring a chef’s selection of sweet and savoury treats with a choice of tea or filtered coffee served in fine bone china.
Traditional Afternoon Tea is served in the restaurant or drawing room, from Monday to Saturday, 2.30pm until 5pm. £27.50 per person (£15 for children). Vegan and gluten-free options also available.
Cream Teas comprising a mini plain scone with clotted cream and strawberry preserve, served with tea or coffee, is also available at £11.95 per person.
For more information visit www.petwood.co.uk
FAMILY FUN AND MORE AT RUTLAND FARM PARK
If you’re looking for the perfect day out for all ages to enjoy, head for Rutland Farm Park, a small 18-acre working family farm in Oakham, where you will be greeted by a variety of friendly farm animals.
Meet animals of all sizes, including Shire horses Toffee and Drummer, as well as Highland and Hereford cattle, plus smaller furry creatures such as rabbits and guinea pigs, and plenty in between too; sheep, goats, pygmy goats, pigs, cows, ponies, chickens, geese and alpacas – and you can even feed some of them, too!
Finish off your outing with a visit to the on-site Daphne’s Tea Room where you can enjoy a truly delicious homemade afternoon tea or a selection of hot drinks, light meals and sweet treats in a cosy, inviting atmosphere. Perfect for relaxing, catching up with friends, or celebrating special occasions, Rutland Farm Park is open from Tuesday to Sunday 10am–5pm (summer) and Tuesday to Sunday 10am–4pm (winter).
For more information visit www.rutlandfarmpark.co.uk
A TASTE OF COUNTRY HOUSE LUXURY
Indulge yourself or a loved one with a quintessentially British afternoon tea in the sumptuous surroundings of Washingborough Hall Country House Hotel, near Lincoln.
Situated in three acres of gorgeous gardens, this privately owned hotel is renowned for its friendly atmosphere, great food and outstanding service.
The seasonal Afternoon Tea menu (from £25.95 per head ) features a selection of home-made savoury and sweet delights, including Lincolnshire Poacher cheese straws, selection of finger sandwiches, followed by home-made fruit scones, served with clotted cream, and strawberry jam, plus a selection of delightful tartlets, eclairs and cakes.
On warm days, afternoon tea can be served alfresco on the terrace, or if it’s chillier, you can snuggle up by the log fire and enjoy the elegance of the 2 AA Rosettes dining room restaurant.
Afternoon tea is served from 12.30pm until 4pm on Monday to Saturday and 3pm-4pm on Sundays. Booking essential.
For more information visit www.washingboroughhall.com
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Taste of Excellence Food and Drink Awards 2024 – voting closed!![]()
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Our readers and clients of these businesses have put forward their nominations in their 1,000s in these 2024 Awards. We were especially interested to hear your reasons for nominating your heroes, favourites and those who have gone above and beyond your expectations.![]()
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Your 2024 Award Winners will be announced in a special supplement in the December issue of Lincolnshire Life magazine and via our website and social media channels.![]()
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We’ll be announcing the top businesses in each category who will go forward to be considered by our team of judges, so keep an eye out on our social media channels.
